Words - eyes, ears, mouth etc.

Following are some words explained in Nirukta, Chapter 1, Section 9:

‘अक्षि’ (akṣi) is the word for ‘eye’, it means ‘to see’ – अक्षि चष्टे:

However, according to Agrayana, it is derived from the root ‘अञ्ज्’ (añj) which means ‘to make clear’ (व्यक्तिम).^ There is a well-known saying in this regard – “तस्मादेते व्यक्तरे इव भवतः”

^Mr. Sarup has taken this root to mean ‘to be beautiful’ which is indeed one of the meanings of the root ‘अञ्ज्’ but it is evident that it does not apply to the meaning of ‘eyes’. The Nirukta clearly states which meaning of the root is to be taken – ‘व्यक्तिम’ and this means ‘to make clear’.

‘कर्ण’ (karṇa) is the word for ‘ear’ and it is derived from the root ‘कृत्’ (kṛt) which means ‘to cut’ as the ear has its entrance torn asunder – कर्णः कृन्तते: I निकृत्तद्वारो भवति I

However, according to Agrayana, it is derived from the root ‘ऋ’ (ṛ) which means ‘to go’ (it has the sense of going outwards – the ears protrude outwards). There is a well-known saying in this regard – “ऋच्छन्तीव खे उदगन्ताम्” (They have protruded upwards in space)

‘आस्य’ (āsya ) means ‘mouth’ - आस्यमस्यते: It is so called because it causes food etc. to flow in – आस्यन्दत एनदन्नमिति वा

‘दघ्नम’ (daghnama) is derived from the root ‘दघ्’ (dagh) which means ‘to flow/ooze’ - दघ्नं दघ्य्ते: स्त्रवतिकर्मणः or from the root ‘दस्’ which means ‘to exhaust’ – दस्य्तेर्वा स्यात्

‘हृद’ (hṛda) means a ‘tank’. It is derived from the root ‘ह्राद्’ (hrād) which means ‘to sound’ – ह्रदो ह्रादते: शब्दकर्मणः Or it is derived from the root ‘ह्लाद’ (hlāda) - ह्लादतेर्वा स्याच्छीतीभावकर्मणः