The History of Indian Literature c8.289

c8.289

Another name of the White Yajus is derived from the surname Vájasaneya, which is given to Yájnavalkya, the teacher who is recognised as its author, in the supplement to the Vṛihad-Áraṇyaka, just mentioned. Mahídhara, at the commencement of his commentary on the Saṃhitá of the White Yajus, explains Vájasaneya as a patronymic, “the son of Vájasani.” Whether this be correct, or whether the word *vájasani* is to be taken as an appellative, it at any rate signifies[^asterisk] “the giver of food,” and refers to the chief object lying at the root of all sacrificial ceremonies, the obtaining of the necessary food from the gods whom the sacrifices are to propitiate. To this is also to be traced the name *vájin*, “having food,” by which the theologians of the White Yajus are occasionally distinguished.¹¹⁸ Now, from Vájasaneya are derived two forms of words by which the Saṃhitá and Bráhmaṇa of the White Yajus are found