antar bhāva

 Antar bhāva (अन्तर्भाव) broadly means "internal existence" or "being within," and can refer to inward disposition, inclusion.

Etymology and Grammatical Context

The term antar-bhāva is a tatpuruṣa compound of antar (अन्तर) meaning "within, interior, or between" and bhāva (भाव) meaning "being, state, or existence"

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. In Vyakarana (Sanskrit grammar), it signifies the state of something being included or comprehended within another, such as an element of sense or quality included in the subject under discussion

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. It can also denote inherent nature or inward disposition, emphasizing internal qualities rather than external appearance

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Philosophical and Literary Usage

In classical Sanskrit literature and texts like the Daśakumāra-carita, antarbhāva can refer to disappearance or invisibility, highlighting how certain qualities or realities exist internally, out of direct perception

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. It is associated with thoughts and feelings not expressed outwardly, capturing concepts of meditation, intention, and subtle emotional states.

Summary of Meanings

• Internal or inward being: Referring to the inward state, mind, or disposition

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• Inclusion: Being comprised or contained in a category or context

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• Invisibility or disappearance: A quality or entity becoming internally present while externally absent

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Thus, antar bhāva encompasses both linguistic/grammatical sense focusing on inclusion and internal qualities, and spiritual/philosophical sense emphasizing internal existence or transitional states of consciousness.