anu gantavya

 "Anu gantavya" (अनुगन्तव्य) in Sanskrit generally means ‘to be followed’ or ‘to be approached’, combining the ideas of ‘anu’ (after, following, or atomic/minute) and ‘gantavya’ (to be gone to, to be attained, or a destination) 

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Components of the Compound

1. Anu (अनु):

• Literally means “after” or “along with” in Sanskrit, suggesting 
• sequence or following.
• Philosophically or contextually, it can also mean “minute” or 
• “atomic” 

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• In Hindu texts, “anu” is used to denote the smallest unit of time,
• a microscopic element, or an individual soul in Shaiva philosophy 

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2. Gantavya (गन्तव्य):

• Refers to something “to be gone to” or “to be reached, approached,
• or attained” 

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• It is often used to indicate a goal, destination, or action that is 
• yet to be accomplished.
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Combined Meaning: Anu-Gantavya (अनुगन्तव्य)

When combined into the tatpuruṣa compound anugantavya, it 

acquires these nuances:

• To be followed: Especially used in classical texts to indicate duty
• or obligation, such as a husband following his deceased wife
• in funeral rites 

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• Worthy of pursuit or imitation: Something that one should approach,
• discover, or emulate 

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• To be accompanied or attended: Used in literature like Śākuntala
• to denote accompanying or going along with someone 

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Usage Example in Literature:

• In Śākuntala, the word is used as odakāntātsnigdho jano nugantavyaḥ,
• meaning “the person is to be accompanied or followed” 

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• Under Yājñavalkya’s law texts, it implies “one who must be followed”
• or “the act that should be undertaken” 

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Summary

Essentially, "anu gantavya" denotes a concept of duty, approach,

or pursuit in Sanskrit, integrating the sequential or derivative notion 

of "anu" (‘following’) with the goal-oriented sense 

of "gantavya" (‘to be reached’). It can refer both to physical following 

and moral or exemplary pursuit in classical texts. This makes it

flexible for philosophical, ritualistic, or literary contexts.