The word Brahmana in neuter gender means Brahmana texts. Why these literary compositions are given this name? Authors of Brahmanas and their commentators have not offered any definition of this word. Sayana has only said in the introduction of his commentary on the Rigveda: “Which in tradition is not a hymn or a Mantra is a Brahmana and which is not Brahmana is a Mantra”. The term ‘Brahmana’ has been variously interpreted by the scholars. It comes from the word Brahman which means both the Veda and the Mantra – “Brahma Vai Mantrah.” Thus the word Brahmana means ‘that which relates to Brahman or the Veda’. It is derived from the root brih ‘to grow’, ‘to expand’.
In other words, the name ‘Brahmana’ means the explanation of a ritual by a learned priest. Later this word came to mean a collection of such explanations by the priest on the science of sacrifice. The Brahmanas are thus the ritual text-books on the details of sacrifice or Yajna.
In other words, the name ‘Brahmana’ means the explanation of a ritual by a learned priest. Later this word came to mean a collection of such explanations by the priest on the science of sacrifice. The Brahmanas are thus the ritual text-books on the details of sacrifice or Yajna.