Nirukta and the Vedic interpretation (study)
by Shruti S. Pradhan | 1964 | 116,890 words
This essay studies the role of Yaska’s Nirukta in Vedic interpretation focusing on his contributions to understanding the Rigveda. This study further examines Yaska’s technique of using etymology to confirm meanings assigned by traditional Nighantus (Vedic glossaries), highlighting his subjective approach. While modern methods combine context with ...
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234 apposition to antariksam. This mid-region i.e. the oelestial ocean is in the untrodden region. dhuni: moaning cloud is not found in the Nighantu which lists it under the synonyms of river at 1.13 (p. 161). At Nirukta V.12, however, Yaska uses the word in the sense of shaking, raging, deriving it from ahu. We use the word in this sense in the final translation. savita: is here Madhyamagni according to Yaska in view of g. 207. Passage Quoted: Rigveda X.149.5, Nirukta X.33 (p. 752). Translation According To Yaska: Like Hiranyastupa Angirasa, O Savitr, I have invited you to this food. Thus worshipping and saluting you for protection, I keep awake as by the side of a stalk of Soma. Final Translation: 0 Savitr! like Hiranyastupa Angirasa I have invited you in this battle. Thus praising and saluting you for a favour, have I awakened up as to the stalk of Soma. Notes: hiranvastupah: is a proper name. Yaska explains this in two ways -