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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7 477 According to Sayana and Geldner this is the address of the poet to himself. Oldenberg seems to refer this stanza as addressed to Agni. Passage Quoted: Rigveda VIII.4.3, Nirukta III.20, p. 245. Translation According To Yaska: Just as a white (bull) being thirsty goes to a (spot in the) desert filled with water, so come quickly near us at the time of your arrival. Drink in the company of Kanvas. Final Translation: Just as a wild bull, being thirsty, goes down to a ditch filled with water, so do you come quickly to us whether early or late (in the day). Do you drink along with Kanvas. Notes: prapitve: is derived by Yaska from pra + √ap and means 'near'. In what sense Yaska uses the word a pitve is not known. At Nirukta III.15, p.220 he renders abhipitvam by abhiprapti. Durga takes it to mean apanakale. On the basis of this we take a pitve to mean 'arrival'. Really speaking apitve and prapitve are contrasted. The former means 'nearness' (from a + /pat,