etymology in the Sanskrit tradition

[thompson at handel.jlc.net]

Jan Houben wrote:

"On etymologies in India see recently: Max Deeg, Die altindische Etymologie
nach dem Verstaendnis Yaaska's und seiner Vorgaenger, Verlag J.H. Roell,
1995, who overemphasizes in my view <<magical>> aspects of the
etymologies...."

Others have also emphasized the magical aspects of etymologies, in
particular Jan Gonda in his classic study, "The Etymologies in the Ancient
Indian BrAhmaNas" [reprinted in Selected Studies II], as well as T.
Elizarenkova in her recent book, "Language and Style of the Vedic RSis."  I
am curious to know what this "over-emphasis" consists of.

Sincerely,
George Thompson