A History of Ancient Sanskrit Literature, so far as it illustrates the Primitive Religion of the Brahmans c9.s2.34

c9.s2.34

Brâhmaṇas proclaimed by Yâjnavalkya, and that their title differed by its formation from the title given to more ancient Brâhmaṇas. At the time when these titles were framed Yâjnavalkya was still alive; and his work, therefore, was not yet considered as one handed down by tradition through several generations. There might seem to be some difficulty in making Yâjnavalkya the author or editor of the whole Yajur-veda, because there are several portions of the Brâhmaṇa where Yâjnavalkya himself is introduced as one of the chief interlocutors, so much so that part of the Bṛihadâraṇyaka, the last book of the Śatapatha-brâhmaṇa, is designated by the name of Yâjnavalkîyam kâṇḍam. But similar instances occur in several of the traditional works of the Brahmans, and in this case the decided traces of a later origin which are to be found in the Bṛihadâraṇyaka, would justify us in supposing that these portions were added after Yâjnavalkya’s decease, particularly as it is called Yâjnavalkîya, not Yâjnavalkya-kâṇḍa.¹