anāditva

 In Sanskrit, “anāditva” (अनादित्व) refers to the state of having no beginning or origin, signifying eternity and freedom from commencement.

Definition and Etymology

The word anāditva is derived from two Sanskrit components:

‘an’ (non-, without) and ‘ādi’ (beginning, origin), with the suffix ‘tva’ 

denoting a state or quality 

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. Thus, anāditva literally

translates to “the state of being without a beginning” or 

“beginninglessness.”

Philosophical Context

Anāditva is a concept frequently mentioned in Hinduism, Yoga, and 

classical Sanskrit literature. It describes entities that are eternal, 

self-existing, and beyond temporal origin, such as:

• Brahman (the ultimate reality)
• The soul (ātman) in its immutable nature
• Certain deities and cosmic principles that are considered uncreated 
• and eternal

It emphasizes the timeless and infinite nature of reality, suggesting

that such entities do not originate from any cause but

are ever-existing

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 .

Related Forms

• Anāditvam (अनादित्वम्): The nominal form referring to the quality itself.
• Anāditā: Synonym often used in texts expressing the same concept
• of beginninglessness 

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Usage in Texts

In classical Sanskrit texts and commentaries on Yoga and Vedanta, 

anāditva is used to describe:

• Eternal principles or truths that are beyond creation and destruction
• The unchanging essence of consciousness, in contrast with the
• transient phenomena of the material world
• Spiritual discussion on the nature of the self and the cosmos,
• highlighting that ultimate reality cannot be defined by temporal 
• limitations

For example, in Yoga philosophy, anāditva is one of the qualities

attributed to the unmanifested purusha, the pure consciousness

that is eternal and non-originated

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 .

Summary

Anāditva represents eternity, beginninglessness, and the uncaused 

existence in Sanskrit. It underscores the philosophical idea that 

certain aspects of reality, such as consciousness, ultimate reality, 

or divinity, exist beyond time and do not have a point of 

origin 

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.

This concept is central to Indian metaphysics, emphasizing

timelessness and infinite nature within spiritual and philosophical

discourse.