History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v2.c23.223

v2.c23.223

(b) According to the Bṛ. Up., Āśv. and Śāṅ., Kāṭhaka gṛ. (34.1) a name was given to the child on the day of birth. This practice is supported by a passage of the Śat. Br.541a 'therefore when a son is born (the father) should bestow on him a name; thereby he drives away the evil that might attach to the boy; (the father gives him) even a second, even a third (name)'. The Mahābhāṣya of Patañjali appears to refer to this view. "In the world the parents give a name to the son when born in a closed space (or room) such as Devadatta, Yajñadatta; from their employment (of that name for the boy) others also come to know 'this is his appellation' ".⁵⁴² (c) Āp., Baud., Bhār., and Pār. prescribe the 10th day after birth for nāmakaraṇa. The Mahābhāṣya quotes a passage⁵⁴³ from the Yājñikas that a name was given on a day after the tenth from birth.