Udvāha

In Sanskrit, 

Udvāha (उद्वाह) primarily translates to "marriage" or "the act of leading a bride home."

Primary Meaning: Marriage

The term is derived from the root verb vah (to carry/lead) with the prefix ud (up/away), literally meaning "leading away [a bride from her father's house]". 

• Context: It refers to the wedding ceremony or matrimony and is recognized as one of the key Samskaras (sacraments) in Hindu tradition.
• Literature: It appears in major works such as the Mahabharata, Manusmriti, and Srimad Bhagavatam to describe the union of couples, such as the marriage of Lord Shiva and Parvati. 

Secondary Meanings

Depending on the context, related forms (like Udvaha) can have other meanings:

• Son or Offspring: It can denote a male descendant who "carries on" the family line.
• Eminent or Superior: As an adjective, it describes someone who is the "foremost" or "best" in a group (e.g., Raghu-udvaha, the best of the Raghu dynasty).
• Cosmic Wind: In the Puranas, it is the name of one of the seven winds (Maruts), specifically the one believed to carry water from the oceans to the clouds or the one that supports the constellations.
• Lifting or Raising: It can refer to the physical act of hoisting or pulling something up. 

Related Terms

• Udvāhika: Relating to marriage or matrimonial (often used for specific wedding mantras).
• Anudvāha: Celibacy or non-marriage.
• Vivāha: A more common contemporary term for marriage, meaning "carrying away" or "leading away". 

more samples:

In Sanskrit, 

उद्वाह (udvāha) is a versatile term most commonly meaning marriage (literally "the act of leading a bride away from her father's house"). It can also refer to a son who carries on a lineage or the best of a certain group.

1. Samples Meaning "Marriage"

In classical and legal texts, it refers to the sacrament of matrimony.

• From the Manusmṛti (Legal Code):

  ...udvāha-vidhiḥ pṛthak pṛthak... [1]
  Translation: "...the rules of marriage (udvāha) are distinct for each [class]..."

• From the Kumārasambhava by Kālidāsa:

  ...himalaya-duhitur udvāha-mahotsavaḥ... [2]
  Translation: "...the great festival of the marriage (udvāha) of the daughter of the Himalayas [Parvati]..."

2. Samples Meaning "Best" or "Foremost"

When used as an epithet in epics like the Rāmāyaṇa or Mahābhārata, it refers to the most eminent member of a dynasty.

• Referring to Lord Rāma:

  raghūdvāhaḥ (raghu + udvāhaḥ) [3]
  Translation: "The best of the Raghu dynasty."

• Referring to Arjuna or Krishna:

  kurūdvāhaḥ (kuru + udvāhaḥ) [4]
  Translation: "The foremost of the Kuru dynasty."

3. Samples Meaning "Son" or "Offspring"

In genealogical contexts, it refers to a son who "lifts up" or continues the family name.

• From various Purāṇas:

  tasyāpi putro 'bhūd dharmanetro nāma kuludvāhaḥ [5]
  Translation: "He also had a son named Dharmanetra, the offspring (udvāhaḥ) of the family."

4. Technical Usage in Astrology & Cosmology

• Astrology: Udvāha-paṭala refers to a chapter or section in astrological treatises concerning matrimonial timing and compatibility [6].
• Cosmology: In the Viṣṇu Purāṇa, Udvāha is listed as one of the seven winds (Maruts) that sustain the movement of the planets [7].

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Sources & References:
[1] Manusmriti 3.20 - Marriage Laws
[2] Sanskrit Dictionary - Udvāha entry
[3] Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary
[4] Mahābhārata - Epithets of Heroes
[5] Viṣṇu Purāṇa - Genealogical sections
[6] Wisdom Library: Definition of Udvāha
[7] Puranic Encyclopedia - Seven Winds