Ancient Indian Historical Tradition c31.123

c31.123

Thirdly, may be noticed the word *brahma*. The original thing denoted by it was, as I understand, the magical power, whether incantation, charm or what not,⁶ by which a man could exert influence over all natural and supernatural beings—what anthropologists now call *mana*.⁷ The Atharvan songs were *brahma*, and the man who employed that was *brahman*, the wizard or medicine-man.⁸