Āvāha

In Sanskrit, 

Āvāha (आवाह) primarily translates to "invitation," "invocation," or "bringing near." It is derived from the prefix ā (towards/near) and the root vah (to carry, lead, or flow).

1. Primary Meaning: Invocation or Invitation

In religious and ritualistic contexts, Āvāha (or the related form Āvāhana) refers to the act of calling upon a deity to be present during a ceremony.

• Context: It is the first step in Puja (worship), where the practitioner invites the divine consciousness into an image, idol, or the sacred fire.
• Translation: "Calling forth" or "summoning."

2. Cosmological Meaning: The Second Celestial Wind

In Puranic cosmology, Āvāha is the name of one of the seven celestial winds (Vāyus or Maruts) that sustain the structure of the universe.

• The Sequence: It typically follows the Pravaha wind.
• Function: According to the Brahmāṇḍa Purāṇa and Viṣṇu Purāṇa, this wind resides in the layer of the atmosphere associated with the movement of the clouds and the lower celestial spheres [1, 2].

3. Social Meaning: Invitation to Marriage

In classical literature, it can also refer to inviting or bringing a bride into a family.

• Distinction: While Vivāha is the general term for marriage, Āvāha specifically emphasizes the act of inviting or welcoming the union [2].

4. Technical and Scientific Usage

• Hydraulics: In ancient technical texts, it can refer to the inflow or leading of water into a channel [2].
• Grammar: It denotes the act of "bringing together" or "conveying" a specific meaning.

Related Terms

• Āvāhana: The formal rite of invoking a deity.
• Pravaha: The first wind (carrying the planets); Āvāha is usually the second.
• Udvāha: The third wind (carrying the stars/constellations).

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References: [1] Wisdom Library: Definition and Puranic Context of Avaha [2] Sanskrit Dictionary: Lexicon entries for Āvāha [3] Puranic Encyclopedia: The Seven Winds [4] Vedabase: SB 5.20.38 - The Cosmic Winds