यास्क एवम् पाणिनि – काल तथा विषयवस्तु का अन्तराल
By Vasantkumar M. Bhatt
Summary
Vasantkumar M. Bhatt compares the works of Yaska and Panini, exploring their chronological and thematic differences. Both authors contributed foundational texts for the Vedangas: Yaska’s Nirukta explains difficult Vedic words and myths through etymology, while Panini’s Ashtadhyayi codifies classical Sanskrit grammar with meticulous precision. Bhatt reviews debates over which text came first, noting citations of earlier teachers in both works. He argues that Nirukta is interpretive and semantic, focusing on meaning, whereas Ashtadhyayi is structural, focusing on morphology and syntax. The article discusses Yaska’s nirvacana method, Panini’s sutra technique and technical vocabulary, and the influence of each on later linguists. Bhatt concludes that the two treatises are complementary: Nirukta preserves the semantic context of sacred words, and Ashtadhyayi provides a formal grammatical framework. Together they laid the foundations of Indian linguistics and hermeneutics.
Conclusion
Bhatt concludes that debates over the precedence of Yaska or Panini are less important than appreciating their distinct yet complementary contributions. Nirukta preserves the semantic and cultural context of Vedic words, while Ashtadhyayi provides a formal grammatical framework. Together they laid the groundwork for Indian linguistics and hermeneutics, bridging ritual meaning and grammatical structure.