Monday 31 December 2012

HIBERNATION - THE SANSKRIT - VEDIC CONTEXT

The English word 'hibernation' originates from the Latin 'hibernationem' which is the action of 'passing the winter' The root word here is 'hibernare' which means 'to pass the winter' which English dictionaries say is related to the PIE 'hiems' which means 'winter'.

But it is Sanskrit that really explains the word and the context. A look at the so called PIE 'hiems'. In Sanskrit - 'himA' (हिमा), 'hemanta (हेमन्त) or 'hiemal' ( हैमल) all mean 'winter'. The base word for all the words is 'hima' (हिम) which means 'snow'.

And of course every one has heard of the 'Himalayas' - literally the 'Abode of Snow'. The 'Himalayas' are also known as 'Himadri' (हिमाद्रि).

In the Vedic context, Goddess Parvati (Daughter of the Himalayas) is also known as 'Hemavati' (हिमवती).

Wednesday 19 December 2012

THE SANSKRIT CONNECTION TO THE WORD 'DIAMOND'

The word 'diamond' is said to have originated from Old French 'diamant' and Latin 'adamantem' meaning 'the hardest metal'. The source word is 'adamant' which of course means 'that which cannot be tamed or controlled'.

Herein lies the Sanskrit connection. 'Adamant' itself derives from Sanskrit 'daman' (दमन) which means 'control', 'oppression', and 'restraint'. 'A' negates the meaning. 'A-daman' (अ + दमन) means 'that which cannot be tamed or controlled or broken'. Hence, 'adamant'.

'Adamant' describes the 'extreme hardness' of diamond. Hence its name.

To read about the Sanskrit connection to the word 'Topaz', click here.

Wednesday 12 December 2012

'ATLAS' & 'LIBRA' - THE SANSKRIT CONNECTION

Proto-Indo-European (PIE) is so, so close to Sanskrit, that it seems to be the same language.

Lets look at the name Atlas. Scholars attribute the origin of the word to the reconstructed, re-engineered language PIE and say that the word is derived from the root word 'tele' which means "to lift, support or weigh." Atlas - 'the one who bears the world'.

But then that is Sanskrit. Tulana (तुलन) means 'weighing' or 'lifting' in Sanskrit. The sun sign Libra, depicted by the 'weighing balance' is known as 'Tula' (तूला) in Sanskrit.

Here's then a look at the word 'Libra' itself. Li (लि) in Sanskrit means 'equality' 'Bhara' (भार) is weight' or 'load'. In Sanskrit 'Li-bhara' means that 'where there is equality of weight' implying the balance of scales.

Saturday 8 December 2012

'JUPITER' - THE SANSKRIT CONNECTION

In the Vedic literature and the Astrological treatises of ancient India, Jupiter is referred to as 'Guru' (गुरु) or the teacher. Astrologically, Jupiter is the planet that dispels the darkness of the mind, enlightens or illuminates, gives higher education and an interest in the study of scriptures. In Sanskrit, the more specific word for the one that illuminates or enlightens is 'dipitr' (दीपितृ). It is from 'dipitr' that the word Jupiter is derived.

The Western world of course disagrees. The etymological origins of Jupiter are traced to the reconstructed language Proto-Indo-European. The PIE word that is created for Jupiter is 'dyeu-peter' meaning 'God-father'. However, in Sanskrit too 'Dev-Pitra' (देव पितृ) means 'God Father' and 'Dyo-pitr' (द्यो पितृ ) means 'Heavenly Father'.

The many other words for Jupiter in Sanskrit include: 

Didivi (दीदिवि), Deva-pati-mantrin (देवपतिमन्त्रिन्), Prakhyas (प्रख्यस्), Brihatipati, (बृहतीपति), Brhattejas (बृहत्तेजस्), Prakphalgun (प्राक्फाल्गुन), Maha-mati  (महामति) Saptarshija (सप्तर्षि), Surguru (सुरगुरु), Surapati-guru  (सुरपतिगुरु) etc. 

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