The History of Indian Literature c8.14

c8.14

† This term signifies ‘that which relates to prayer, *brahman*.’ *Brahman* itself means ‘drawing forth,’ as well in a physical sense ‘producing,’ ‘creating,’ as in a spiritual one ‘lifting up,’ ‘elevating,’ ‘strengthening.’ The first mention of the name Bráhmaṇa, in the above sense, is found in the Bráhmaṇa of the White Yajus, and especially in its thirteenth book. In cases where the dogmatical explanation of a ceremonial or other precept has already been given, we there find the expression *tasyoktam bráhmaņam*, 'of this the Bráhmaņa has already been stated;' whereas in the books preceding the thirteenth, we find in such cases *tasyokto bandhuḥ* 'its connection has already been set forth.' [*I. St.*, v. 60, ix. 351.]—Besides Bráhmaņa, Pravachana is also used in the *Sáma-Sútras*, according to the commentary, in the same sense; they also mention Anubráhmaņa, a term which does not occur elsewhere except in Páņini.