The History of Indian Literature c8.19

c8.19

The common name for the Bráhmaṇa literature is *Śruti*, ‘hearing,’ *i.e.*, that which is subject of hearing, subject of exposition, of teaching, by which name their learned, and consequently exclusive, character is sufficiently intimated. In accordance with this we find in the works themselves frequent warnings against intrusting the knowledge contained in them to any profane person. The name Śruti is not indeed mentioned in them, but only in the Sútras, though it is perfectly justified by the corresponding use of the verb *śru* which occurs in them frequently.