India as Known to Panini: A Study of the Cultural Material in the Ashtadhyayi c11.s1.2

c11.s1.2

*DEITIES.* Pāṇini mentions the following Vedic deities, both singly and in pairs: (1) Agni (IV.1.37), (2) Indra, (3) Varuṇa, (4) Bhava, (5) Śarva, (6) Rudra, (7) Mṛiḍa (IV.1.49), (8) Vṛishākapi, (IV.1.37), (9) Pūshā, (10) Aryamā (VI.4.12), (11) Tvashṭā (VI.4.11), (12) Sūrya (III.1.114), and (13) Nāsatya (VI.3.75). The last name is derived by Pāṇini as *na asatyāḥ*, 'who are the opposite of non-truth'. The Mahābhārata mentions Nāsatya and Dasra as the twin Aśvins born of the nose (*nāsā*) of Saṁjñā, wife of Sūrya (Anuśāsana-parva, 150.17). The derivation from *nāsā* is in fact mentioned by Yāska as a probable explanation of the word (*nāsikāprabhavau babhūvatur iti vā*, VI.13). But Pāṇini accepted the etymology of this word given by Aurṇavābha whose opinion is quoted by Yāska (*satyau eva nāsatyāvity-Aurṇavābhaḥ*, *Nirukta*, VI.13).