SatyaVeda: All about the Veda

Yaska’s Nirukta : is a Vedic commentary on the Nighantus (including Kasyapa’s). A Nighantu is a glossary of difficult and rare Rg Vedic terms. The Naighantuka kanda of the Nighantus consists of 3 lists of synonyms. The Naigama (Aikapadika) kanda consists of a list of isolated and difficult words. The Daivata kanda contains a classification of devatas.

These lists are followed by Yaska’s rules..

1. Learning Vedic Sanskrit, a few words at a time,, in quest of the true meaning of the Vedas..
2. Learning Vedic Sanskrit : Kasyapa’s Nighantu – Yaska Niruktha : 3
3. Learning Vedic Sanskrit : Kasyapa’s Nighantu – Yaska Niruktha : 2
4. Learning Vedic Sanskrit : Kasyapa’s Nighantu – Yaska Niruktha : 1
5. Vedic Synonyms for Vacha and Udaka
6. yAska muni, niruktha, Vedic Etymyology
7. Da in yajurvEda becomes La in Rg vEda

See Also : How to Learn Vedas

Click for Source of notes below on Yaskacharya, the commentator

Based on the Nighantu, Yaska compiled the Nirukta text. Yaskacharya is the oldest and pioneer commentator of the Vedas. The commentators who followed him used his text as the basis.  ‘The Nirukta is included in the ten holy texts that a Brahman (priest) endowed with the title of Rugvedi Dashagranthi (knower of the ten holy texts) should study.

The Nirukta is a commentary on the Nighantu. But from the very beginning the Nirukta and Nighantu have both been termed as the Nirukta.

In the Nirukta words have been described comprehensively. It is not a mere explanation of the meaning of words but also elucidates the origin of the word associated with that particular meaning. In other words every word is minutely analysed.

They emphatically proclaim that though such a grammatically ruled word is not proven from a root of similar meaning one should not bother about it. Ignoring the rules of grammar one should firmly adopt the meaning suggested by the Name.

Wholeheartedly obeying this directive Yaska and the authors of the Nirukta before Him, created new words. Vedic words should be interpreted according to the context and the same origin of the word should be given when it is used with the same meaning; however when it is used with a variety of meanings different origins may certainly be given.

“सन्‍तमेव अर्थम्‌ आययति गमयतीति सत्‍यम्‌ means that which imparts true knowledge about the existing objects is the ultimate truth”.

Through various ideas Yaska has clearly proclaimed that all names are derived from a root. The present day linguistics too has accepted this doctrine. (Panini’s era came later than 700 B.C. From this it appears that Yaska’s era must have been from 800 to 1000 B.C. – these dates are given by the source and not yet verified by me – Satya)

One who simply recites the Vedas without understanding their meaning is but a pillar (sthanu). The one who has understood their meaning will be endowed with happiness in this world and the worlds beyond. A word devoid of meaning and knowledge cannot enlighten a person. No matter how dry a wooden log is if it is not thrown into the fire then of what use is it ? This is Yaska’s quote. It is from this quote that the evolution of His spiritual intellect (pradnya) can be realised. He says, “अर्थं वाच: पुष्‍पफलम्‌ which means that a meaning is both the blossom as well as the fruit of speech” (1.20). By writing the Nirukta he showed an easily accomplishable path to the study of the Vedas.

He  proved false Kautsa’s quote that the Vedas are devoid of meaning. When taunting Kautsa in the (Nirukta 1.16) he says,

नैष स्‍थाणोरपराधो यदेनमन्‍धो न पश्‍यति ।
पुरुषापराध: स भवति ।

Meaning: If a blind man cannot see a pillar then it is not the pillar’s fault, rather that of the man.

Sayanacharya followed Yaska and compiled commentaries on the Vedas. Sayanacharya explains the connection of words in the Vedic verses (rucha); however Yaska does not do so. Hence one does not know how he would interpret the verses.“

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