Essay name: Nirukta and the Vedic interpretation (study)
Author:
Shruti S. Pradhan
Affiliation: University of Mumbai / Department of Sanskrit
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.
Page 319 of: Nirukta and the Vedic interpretation (study)
319 (of 337)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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291
. Passage Quoted: RV.1.80.16, N.XII.34 (p. 853). 318 Translation According To Yāska: (Like) the work which
Atharvan, Manu, the father (of men) and Dadhvac carried
out, (all newer) works and hymns may become united in
that Indra, as before, who respectfully practises self-
rule.
Final Translation: Like the hymn, which Atharvan, the
father of Manu and Dadhyac have composed, may the hymns
and the praises be united in that Indra, as before.
May they join in singing in your self-rule.
Notes:
arcan anu svarajyam: is explained by Yaska as arcan
yah anupaste svarajyam and taken with Indra.
Goldner takes it as an independent clause with
arcan as the verb, the form being subj.III.pl.
of arc.
dhiyam: is karma according to Yaska who depends on
Nigh.II.1, p. 172. Cf.also N.XII.18 (p. 838)
and XII.30 (p. 849). brahmani is also rendered
ass karmāṇi but this is not according to the
Nighantu.
According to Yaska Dadhyac, Atharvan
and Manu are the aspects of Aditya. Cf.N.XII.1,
p. 819, athātaḥ dyusthānah devatāḥ.
