THE SACRED LIBRARY
About Nirukta
As a Vedanga, Nirukta supports understanding rather than simply reproducing sacred sounds. Yaska begins from the Nighantu, a gathered collection of Vedic words requiring explanation. A word list is therefore the starting point of inquiry, not a substitute for it.
The opening distinguishes nouns, verbs, prefixes and particles. Verbs chiefly express action or process, while nouns identify entities; smaller words can alter a statement’s force. Examples show why a verse cannot safely be understood by assigning each written form one fixed meaning in every context.
More About Nirukta
Etymology and interpretation of Vedic words.
