anāhārin

 The Sanskrit term anāhārin (अनाहारिन्) is an adjective meaning “not taking food” or “abstaining from food”, often used to describe someone in fasting or renunciation.

Definition and Usage

Anāhārin is derived from the root āhāra, which means “food” or

“nourishment”, combined with the negative prefix an-, resulting

in “not taking food”

Sanskrit Dictionary+1

 . It can function as both

masculine, feminine, or neuter (mfn.), depending on the context in

classical Sanskrit usage. The term is commonly found in literary

and philosophical texts to describe:

• A person who abstains from eating, often in the context of fasting 
• or spiritual discipline.
• The act of voluntary fasting, emphasizing self-restraint from 
• consuming food.

Contextual Notes

In Sanskrit literature, terms like anāhārin are often associated with 

ascetic practices, religious observances, or yogic disciplines where

controlling or abstaining from food is considered a method of 

purifying the body and mind 

University of Hyderabad

. For example, 

monks or sannyasis (renunciates) may be described as anāhārin 

during periods of fasting or meditation.

Related Terms

• Anāhārya (अनाहार्य): meaning “not to be taken or seized” or
• “not edible”, a closely related term that emphasizes the object 
• rather than the agent.
• Āhārin (आहारिन्): simply “one who eats” or “taking food”, used 
• as the antonym of anāhārin

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In summary, anāhārin conveys the concept of someone who 

deliberately refrains from consuming food, reflecting both literal 

fasting and broader spiritual discipline in Sanskrit texts. Its usage 

appears across various classical documents and lexicons, 

highlighting its importance in ascetic and yogic 

contexts 

Sanskrit Dictionary+1

.