anu dhāvana

 Anu dhāvana (अनुधावन) in Sanskrit primarily means “chasing, following, or running after” and can also refer to purification or close pursuit of an object.

Literal Meaning

The term Anu Dhāvana is a compound of anu (अनु) meaning “after” 

or “following,” and dhāvana (धावन) meaning “running” or “going.” Together, 

it literally translates to “running after” or “pursuit”

sanskritjagat.in+1

 . 

It can denote physically chasing someone or something, a pursuit for

knowledge, or figuratively seeking an object or goal.

Contextual Interpretations

Chasing or Pursuit: It refers to actively going after someone or something, 

such as hunting, sports, or following a mistress in classical texts 

2

.

Investigation or Research: In a figurative sense, it can denote close 

investigation, study, or meditation—the pursuit of truth, knowledge, 

or understanding 

1

.

Cleansing or Purification: Another usage of Anu Dhāvana is related to

ritual cleansing or purification, where the term signifies a process of

removing impurities 

2

.

1. 

   

   2 Sources
2. 
   

Usage in Sanskrit Literature

• In the Śyainika-śāstra, a treatise on hunting and hawking, 
• Anu Dhāvana describes birds pursuing each other, illustrating the 
• idea of mutual chasing during sports or playful combat 

  1

  .
• Grammatically, it is a neuter noun (पदम्), classified as a tatpurusha 
• compound, where the first element (anu) qualifies the
• second (dhāvana)

  1

   .
• 

  

  2 Sources
• 
  

In summary, Anu Dhāvana captures both literal pursuit and figurative 

striving, extending from physical chasing to investigative or spiritual

endeavors, and even ritual purification, depending

on the context 

sanskritjagat.in+1

.