An Optimality Theoretic analysis of accent in Vedic Sanskrit athematic nouns is presented that builds on an analysis of the same nouns in Proto-Indo-European.  The two accent patterns of Vedic (columnar and alternating) are explained by the language's preference to realize underlying accent (where underlying accent on a root beats underlying accent on a suffix) and to put accent on the stem-final syllable if there is no underlying accent.  The accentless vocative of Vedic is explained if this ending is dominant and causes an accent deletion.  This dominant ending was inherited from PIE and is analyzed with OT antifaithfulness constraints.