Yaska

(5th c. B.C.E.?) Traditionally cited as
the author of the Nirukta, a text giving etymological explanations for
archaic words in the Veda. Almost a
quarter of the words in the Veda
appear only once. Even by Yaska’s
778
Yamunotri
time, the meanings for many of these
words had become either uncertain or
completely lost, as the spoken language had changed. Although at times
it is clear that Yaska himself is guessing—as when modern linguists
can make comparisons to the Iranian
Avesta, a related sacred text—his
work was immeasurably helpful to
later readers.