Kautsa's Challenge — Do Vedic Words Have Meaning?
Nirukta (Yaska) · 1 · Verse 15
niruktakautsayaskavedic-meaningmantra-meaning
Sanskrit Original
कौत्सो मन्यते — अनर्थकाः सर्वे मन्त्राः। यज्ञार्थं हि संस्कारार्थं वा ते उच्यन्ते, नार्थज्ञानाय॥
kautso manyate — anarthakāḥ sarve mantrāḥ | yajñārthaṃ hi saṃskārārthaṃ vā te ucyante, nārthajñānāya ||
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Kautsa argues that all Vedic mantras are without (discernible) meaning — they are uttered merely for ritual purposes (yajña) or purificatory rites, not for semantic understanding. Yaska refutes this position comprehensively, arguing that meaning (artha) is primary in Vedic revelation.