Deivathin Kural # 68 of (Vol 2) of 06 Jan 2008.

Om Namah Sivaya.

Deivathin Kural # 68 of (Vol 2) of 06 Jan 2008.

(Note 1. We are to remind the readers that herein, 'he' as a word stands for 'she' as well. When Tamil or Sanskrit words are transliterated in English, the single vowel will indicate a short utterance and a double vowel will indicate a longer pronounciation. Words in Sanskrit script not being available, the transliteration spellings and thereby the pronounciation, especially of names may be at variance from what it should be! Note 2. It may please be noted that the talk is dated some time in the late 1950's and early 60's.

NIRUKTAM : VEDAS' EARS

1. Niruktam, is the Dictionary, Akarathy & Nikandu, in Tmil and Kosam in Sanskrit. Actually 'Amara Kosam' is a famous book of reference. Nirukta Saastram, analyses each word into it's component parts, tracing it down to it's 'Dhatu' or 'root' and interpret it's meaning. That is the job of the Nirukta Saastram. It is called the Science of the Word or Etymology in English. For the Veda Purusha, it is the bodily audio equipment of 'Srothram' or ear. The reason why it is considered as the 'Ear' will also be revealed by the Niruktam itself. Nirukta Saastram has been written by many authors, the most important one has been done by 'Yaskar'.

2. Veda Nikandu studies the history of every word, as to how and why it came into being. There is a word, 'hrudayam'. Why is that word in that particular form? Vedam itself gives the logic of that word as, 'hrudi ayam', meaning, 'he is there, so hrudayam'. 'Ayam' in Sanskrit means, 'this thing here', very close by. Remember, Niruktam, is part of Veda as one of the 'Shadang'. The job of Veda is to take you back to God, at every given opportunity. Since God resides in every heart, the word 'Hrudayam' has come into being. Niruktam analyses each and every word, thus! (Now, you can also relate to the evolution of the word 'Heart' from 'Hrudayam'!)

3. In Sanskrit, every word has a 'Dhatu'. Dhatu is 'Root' in English. In English, only Verbs have root words. Nouns do not have. So any thing can be anything, like 'Rodham' is a combination of 'Rod + ham'! Just a name, not meant to mean anything. But in Sanskrit even nemes have a meaning. Only in Sanskrit, the common names of individuals too have a meaning, as can be related to it's root. It is the derived word from Sanskrit that went to other languages, where the meaning may have been lost, due to changes in pronunciation and erosion/changes, over time. Take for example the word, 'hour'. It might have been 'hore' or 'hor' in the past. In Sanskrit, there is a 'Hora Sastram'. 'Ahoratram' means, a day (of one day and a night, put together). A 'hora' is indicative of one hour of two and a half 'naazhigai'. This 'hora' in Tamil becomes a 'orai'. In the marriage invitation cards in Tamil, the 'Subha Muhurtham' is indicated as good 'orai'. It is that word which has become the word spelt as 'hour', and pronounced as 'avar', in English. It is the 'Hrudayam' from which the word 'heart' has evolved! To reach the present condition in other languages, it must have taken many centuries. This lapse of time must be the reason for their not knowing the origin.

4. Unless you know the meaning, hearing any language is as good as not hearing. Without understanding the meaning of words, there is no communication. It is as good as being deaf! That is why, 'Niruktam' is considered as Veda Purusha's hearing instrument. Vedas themselves are considered as 'Sruthi', the 'Heard'; 'Niruktam' is the Ears for that too. 'Vyakaranam' and 'Niruktam', were learnt by Britishers from the Panditjis of Varanasi. They learnt from them that, for so and so reasons, so and so word, means such and such! From this they were sensible enough to start a science of the study of History of Languages, Philology and Phonetics and allied sciences!

5. From their such studies, they have identified the origins of Languages, from certain centers of civilizations in various parts of the world. They evidently have differences of opinion as to the origins of Sanskrit itself. We are not affected by those studies. We are of the stock, which says, "...yaadum oore yaavarum keleer...", meaning, "...hear everybody! Ours is the whole world. We know of no borders arbitrarily manmade!...". "...swadeso bhuvana thrayam...", meaning, 'our motherland are all the three worlds!' (If you want to know as to what are these three worlds, you will have to wait for further discussion on Vedanta. For the present suffice it to say, that it refers to the three worlds of, the three states of Wakefulness, Dream and Deep Sleep!) Though, they may scientifically differentiate as so many races, so many languages and so many origins; we believe in one origin, one caste, one creed, one race, one language and one God! We wish, hope and pray that, Vaak Devi may grant that all the modern research and analysis may lead us to this understanding that we all belong together as one people of one and the same humanity!

Sambhomahadeva.