Anuvaha

In Sanskrit, 

Anuvaha (अनुवह) primarily translates to "bearing after" or "carrying along."It is a compound term derived from the prefix anu (along, after, or near) and the root vah(to flow, carry, or lead).

1. Cosmological Meaning: The Sixth Celestial Wind

In 2025, modern studies of Puranic cosmology (specifically the Brahmāṇḍa Purāṇa) identify Anuvaha as the sixth of the seven great winds (Vātaskandhas) that support the structure of the universe [1, 5].

• Location: It is situated in the celestial region between the planets and the Saptaṛṣimaṇḍala (the constellation of the Great Bear) [5].
• Function: It is believed to sustain the movement of the higher planetary systems and spiritual spheres [5].

2. Vedic Meaning: A Tongue of Fire

In the context of Vedic rituals and sacrifices, Anuvaha is recognized as one of the seven tongues (flames) of the sacrificial fire (Agnijihvā) [3, 4].

• Significance: It represents a specific direction or quality of the flame that "carries the offering" to the deities [4].

3. General Linguistic Meaning

As a masculine noun (Anuvahaḥ), it is used in classical Sanskrit to describe the act of transport [1]:

• Conveying: "The act of bearing or conveying along."
• Following: It can describe someone who follows or carries something along a path [1, 2].

Related Terms

• Anuvahati (अनुवहति): The verb form meaning "to convey," "to lead near," or "to carry along."
• Anuvāha (अनुवाह): A variant spelling often used for "the act of following in a vehicle."
• Pravaha: The first wind; Anuvaha is the sixth in the sequence [5].