asya

The Sanskrit word 

अस्य (asya) is a versatile grammatical form that primarily translates to "of this", "his", or "of him". 

It is the genitive singular case form of the demonstrative pronoun idam ("this"). The genitive case indicates possession or relation.

Key Translations and Usage

• Of this / Its: When referring to a nearby object or concept that is either masculine or neuter in grammatical gender.
  • Example: Asya pustakasya nāmā... means "The name of this book is...".
• His / Of him: When referring to a specific male person or a masculine entity mentioned in context.
  • Example: Asya gṛham sundaram means "His house is beautiful". 

The word asya appears frequently in Sanskrit literature, including the Bhagavad Gita and the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, usually to indicate that something belongs to or is related to a subject that has just been introduced. 

You can explore more examples of its usage in specific texts through online dictionaries such as Sanskrit Dictionary or the Wisdom Library.

more samples:

The Sanskrit word 

अस्य (asya), meaning "of this", "his", or "its", is extremely common in literature. Here are samples from classical Sanskrit texts:

1. In the 

Bhagavad Gitā

 (Chapter 2, Verse 21) 

This famous verse discusses the eternal nature of the soul (Ātman) and how one who knows it does not engage in killing.

• Sanskrit:

  vedāvināśinaṃ nityaṃ ya enam ajam avyayam |
  kathaṃ sa puruṣaḥ pārtha kaṃ ghātayati hanti kam ||

  (Note: the word 'asya' isn't explicitly in this popular verse 2.21, but it is implied as 'this soul' being discussed.) The related idam pronoun is used throughout the Gita to refer to the soul or the material world. The concept of "of this" is central to many phrases:
• Sanskrit: ...kṛṣṇaḥ asya bhiṣak...
• Translation: "...Krishna [is] the physician of this [world's ills]..." 

2. In the Manu-Smṛti (Laws of Manu 1.12-13)

This passage describes the creation of the universe from the cosmic egg (aṇḍam), where asya is used to refer to the egg itself in a genitive form related to the act of dividing it.

• Sanskrit:

  tasminn aṇḍe sa bhagavān uṣitvā parivatsaram / svayam evātmano dhyānāt tad aṇḍam akarod dvidhā //

  (Note: The 'tad aṇḍam' refers back to 'that egg', as 'asya' means 'of this', the direct reference 'that egg' uses 'tad'). 

3. In the Ṛgveda

Asya appears frequently in the Ṛgveda, often in hymns addressing specific deities, meaning "of this [deity]" or "his [strength/action]".

• Sanskrit: asya, kratvā vicetasaḥ
• Translation: "By the power of this [one], the wise..."
• Sanskrit: asya, ghṛtasya haviṣo juṣāṇo vīhi svāhā
• Translation: "Of this clarified butter, this oblation, enjoying, partake, svaha!" 

4. In General Instruction/Learning Texts

In pedagogical contexts, asya is used in straightforward descriptive sentences.

• Sanskrit: asya parvatasya ārohaṇaṃ kartuṃ dṛḍhapādāḥ āvaśyakāḥ
• Translation: "To climb this mountain, strong legs are needed."