The History of Indian Literature c8.6

c8.6

[^asterisk]: The name Saṃhitá (collection) first occurs in the so-called Áraṇyakas, or latest supplements to the Bráhmaṇas, and in the Sútras; but whether in the above meaning, is not as yet certain. The names by which the Saṃhitás are designated in the Bráhmaṇas are—either *ṛichaḥ*, *sámáni*, *yajúṅshi*,—or Ṛigveda, Sámaveda, Yajurveda,—or Bahvṛichas, Chhandogas, Adhvaryus,—or *trayí vidyá*, *svádhyáya*, *adhyayana*, also 'Veda' alone. It is in the Sútras that we first find the term Chhandas specially applied to the Saṃhitás, and more particularly in Páṇini, by whom Ṛishi, Nigama, Mantra (?) are also employed in the same manner.