A History of Indian Literature v1.c8.s9.4

v1.c8.s9.4

³ The most probable etymology is that suggested by H. *Osthoff* (Bezz. Beitr., 24, 1899, 113 ff.) who connects *brahman* with Old Irish *bricht*, "magic, magic formula." Oldenberg (Lehre der Upanishaden, pp. 44 ff., and "Zur Geschichte des Worts bráhman," NGGW., 1916, pp. 715 ff.) and *Hillebrandt* (ERE, II, pp. 796 ff.) have also accepted this etymology. An older etymology is that from the root *bṛh* "to grow" (M. *Haug*). *Hillebrandt* and *Dasgupta* (*l. c.*, p. 36) follow M. Haug in explaining *brahman* as "the magical force which is derived from the orderly co-operation of the hymns, the chants, and the sacrificial gifts." J. Hertel ("Das Brahman" in Indogerman. Forschungen, 41, 1923, pp. 185 ff.) connects *brahman* etymologically with Greek θλεγμα, Latin *flagro*, and tries to prove that the original meaning of *brahman* was "fire," viz., both the internal fire in man and the cosmic fire. I, however, am not convinced by his arguments.