avanti

The Sanskrit word 

अवन्ति (avanti or avantī) has several related meanings, but it primarily refers to an ancient geographical region and its capital city. 

Key Translations and Significance

• An Ancient Kingdom and City: This is the most common and historically significant meaning. Avanti was one of the sixteen great kingdoms (Mahajanapadas) of ancient India, roughly corresponding to the modern Malwa region in Madhya Pradesh.
  • Its capital city was Ujjayinī (modern-day Ujjain), considered one of the seven sacred cities (sapta-mokṣa-purīs) in Hinduism, where dying is believed to grant salvation.
• Progress/Advancement: The name is derived from the Sanskrit root ava, which means "to protect" or "to help". In a general sense, the name is associated with the philosophical concepts of "progress," "forward," or "advancement".
• A River: In some specific texts, Avanti is also mentioned as the name of a river.
• A People/Tribe: The term can refer to the inhabitants of the Avanti kingdom. 

The word's significance in literature often relates to its status as a prosperous cultural and religious center, mentioned in the Mahabharata, Puranas, and Buddhist/Jain texts. 

For more definitions and usage examples, you can consult online Sanskrit dictionaries like the Sanskrit Dictionary at sanskritdictionary.com.

more samples:

The Sanskrit word 

अवन्ति (avanti or avantī), meaning the name of an ancient kingdom and its capital city (Ujjain), is frequently found in historical accounts, epic narratives, and geographical sections of Puranic literature.

Here are samples of avanti used in various Sanskrit texts:

1. In the Mahabharata and Puranas (Geographical Sections)

The epics list Avanti among the powerful kingdoms and pilgrimage sites of ancient India.

• Sanskrit: tataḥ sa prayayau vīro diśaṃ paścimam uttamām | mahārāṣṭrāṃstathā cāṅgān vāṅgāṃś ca saha maladaiḥ || paṇḍrān avyaya-karmāṇaḥ sahitān avantibhiḥ
• Translation: "Then the hero [Bhīma] traveled to the best western region, and subdued the Mahārāṣṭras, the Angas, the Vangas, along with the Maladas, the Pundras, and the Avantis." (Here, it refers to the people/inhabitants of Avanti).
• Sanskrit: ...avantī-nātha...
• Translation: "...the ruler of Avanti..." (Referring to the King of the region).

2. In the Meghadūta of Kālidāsa (Classical Poetry)

The renowned poet Kālidāsa described the beauty of the city of Ujjain (the capital of Avanti) in his famous poem.

• Sanskrit: avantiṣūjjanayane grāmya-saṃpādyam... (A complex poetic verse structure)
• Translation: "... in Avanti [the city of Ujjain], where the eyes of the villagers find satisfaction..." (The verse is a poetic description of the city's charm).

3. In the Skanda Purāṇa (Kāśī Khaṇḍa section)

The Puranas list Ujjain as one of the seven cities that grant liberation (moksha-puri).

• Sanskrit: ayodhyā mathurā māyā kāśī kāñcy avantikā | purī dvārāvatī caiva saptaitā mokṣa-dāyikāḥ ||
• Translation: "Ayodhya, Mathura, Maya (Haridwar), Kashi (Varanasi), Kanchi, Avantikā(Avanti/Ujjain), and the city of Dwaraka—these seven are the givers of liberation."

4. In Lexicons and Grammatical Texts

The term is formally defined in ancient Indian dictionaries (koṣas).

• Sanskrit: Avanti-deśa
• Translation: "The region/country of Avanti."