antar vasu

 In Sanskrit, "Antar Vasu" (अन्तर्वसु) generally refers to a specific three-day Soma sacrifice, and linguistically it combines "antar" (inner, within) and "vasu" (wealth, light, or a deity), reflecting something auspicious or enclosed within.

Etymology

• Antar (अन्तर) means "inner," "interior," "within," or "the inner part of a thing"

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  . It can also denote something close, proximate, or essential.
• Vasu (वसु) has multiple meanings: it can represent wealth, goods, gold, or any precious object; symbolically the bright ones, referring to a group of deities in Hinduism; or rays of light

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  . In mythology, the Vasus are eight attendant deities associated with natural elements like earth, water, fire, wind, sun, and moon

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Compound Meaning

• As a Sanskrit compound, Antar Vasu (अन्तर्वसु) denotes a name of a Soma sacrifice intended for specific purposes like rājyakāma (kingly desires) and paśukāma (cattle welfare). This is specifically described in texts such as Kātyāyana Śrauta Sūtra and Maśaka Kalpa Sūtra, identifying it as a three-day ritual offering

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• The term can also be broken down literally as "internal wealth" or "inherent brightness", depending on context, linking the inner or hidden (antar) with auspiciousness or divinity (vasu).
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Related Forms

• Antarvāsas (अन्तर्वासस्) refers to an inner garment or underclothing. It is derived from "antar" and "vāsas" (clothes), showing the flexible use of this prefix in Sanskrit compounds

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Summary

• Literal sense: inner, inherent, or within plus wealth/deity/brightness.
• Ritual sense: a named three-day Soma sacrifice for specific purposes in Vedic rituals.
• Alternate usage: refers to inner clothing (Antarvāsas).

Thus, Antar Vasu encapsulates both a concept of inner sacredness or wealth and a precise Vedic ritual designation depending on the context.