History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v7.c90.119

v7.c90.119

The Vāyu¹³⁸⁸ derives the word ‘Purāṇa’ from ‘purā’ (in ancient times, formerly) and the root ‘an’ (to breathe or live), and therefore according to it the word literally means ‘that which lives in the past’ or ‘that which breathes ancient times’.