anaśanatā

 

“Anaśanatā” (अनशनता) in Sanskrit refers to the feminine noun meaning “fasting” or “abstinence from food,” derived from the negation “an” and “aśana” (eating).

Meaning and Etymology

The term anaśanatā is constructed from an (अन्), meaning “not,” 

and aśana (अशन), meaning “eating” or “food” 

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Thus, the literal meaning is the state or quality of not eating. In 

Sanskrit usage, it denotes fasting, voluntary abstinence from food, 

or in extreme cases fasting unto death. The term is feminine in 

gender, and the masculine or neuter forms refer to “one who fasts” 

or “the act of fasting” 

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Usage in Classical Texts

• In Hinduism and Jainism, anaśana or fasting is often positioned 
• as a form of tapas (penance or spiritual discipline), meant to 
• purify the body and mind, burn away karma, and cultivate 
• self-discipline

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   . It can include partial or total fasting 
• depending on spiritual or ritual prescriptions.
• Texts such as the Bhāgavata Purāṇa and Daśakumāracarita 
• mention anaśana as both a literal act of not eating and as a 
• symbolic practice for spiritual advancement 

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• The term also appears in Sanskrit law texts, wherein fasting 
• could have legal or ritual significance, for instance, in compelling
• a debtor through penance or in indicating extreme ascetic 
• resolve 

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Related Terms and Concepts

• Anaśana (अनशन): the act of fasting or abstaining from food
• Anāśana: sometimes used interchangeably, depending on manuscript
• variations 

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• Prakrit and Pali equivalents: Aṇasaṇa in Prakrit and anasana in Pali, 
• retaining the sense of fasting or abstinence 

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• Cultural context: Fasting is a practice found across Hindu traditions, 
• often associated with purification, self-control, or karmic discipline

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In summary, anaśanatā emphasizes the disciplined state of abstaining

from food, both as a physical act of fasting and a spiritual practice.

It underscores self-control and is often linked to religious, ritual, or 

ethical contexts in classical Sanskrit literature 

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