aniṣu dhanva

 

In Sanskrit, “aniṣu dhanva” (Aniṣudhanva) literally means

“without arrows or a bow,” describing someone or something 

lacking weapons.

Breakdown of the Term

• Aniṣu (अनिषु): This is a compound form derived from ‘an’ (privative 
• prefix meaning ‘without’) and ‘iṣu’ (arrow). It conveys “without arrows” 
• or “having bad/malformed arrows” in a literal sense 

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• Dhanva (धन्व): This term means “bow” in Sanskrit. It is commonly 
• used in Vedic and epic literature to denote the weapon itself 

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When combined, Aniṣudhanva (or Aniṣu Dhanva) translates to

“without bow and arrows”. The word is found in classical Sanskrit 

texts like the Taittirīya-Āraṇyaka, and the compound is typically used 

to describe someone who is unarmed or in a context where the 

absence of weapons is emphasized 

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Usage and Context

This term is usually applied in Hindu scriptures, epics, and philosophical 

texts to indicate:

• Literal lack of weapons, suggesting vulnerability or defenselessness
• Metaphorical meaning, implying powerlessness, humility, or 
• non-aggressiveness in certain devotional or ethical contexts

In summary, aniṣu dhanva is a descriptive compound indicating an 

entity without a bow and arrows, combining the privative sense

of “aniṣu” with “dhanva,” the Sanskrit word for bow 

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