Ancient Indian Historical Tradition c9.51

c9.51

Further the Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa calls the Itihāsa-Purāṇa and certain other compositions ‘honey-offerings to the gods’, and commends their daily study.¹ It also appoints the Itihāsa and Purana for recitation by the priests, calling each a Veda.² These passages show that the Itihāsa and Purana were definite compositions. Similarly the Śāṅkhāyana Śrauta Sūtra and Āśvalāyana Sūtra³ say—On the eighth day he tells the story which begins with Matsya Sāmmada... He then says, ‘The Itihāsa-veda is the Veda, this is the Veda,’ and recites an Itihāsa. On the ninth day he tells the story which begins with Tārkṣya Vaipaśyata... He then says, ‘The Purāṇa-veda is the Veda, this is the Veda,’ and recites the Purāṇa.⁵