anu karaṇa

 “Anu karaṇa” (अनुकरण) in Sanskrit generally refers to imitation, following an example, or doing something in accordance with another; it combines "anu" (after, following, or minute unit/atom) and "karaṇa" (doing, making, or act) to signify "the act of following or emulating."

Etymology and Components

• Anu (अनु): The term can mean "following," "smallest unit," "atom," 
• "individual soul," or "minute measure of time" depending on
• the context 

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  . In the grammatical and literary sense related
• to Anukaraṇa, it conveys the idea of following or coming after.

• Karaṇa (करण): A versatile term denoting "doing," "making," 
• "instrument," or "cause" 

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  . It is the act or process of carrying
• out something, and in philosophical contexts, it also refers to 
• a causal or instrumental role.
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Meaning of Anu Karaṇa / Anukaraṇa

As a compound (anu + karaṇa), Anukaraṇa (अनुकरण) primarily signifies:

Imitation or Emulation: Doing something in imitation of another,

 following a model or example 

Resemblance or Similarity: Acting or producing something so that 

it resembles another thing 

Onomatopoeia / Phonetic Imitation: In Sanskrit grammar (Vyakarana),

 it refers to uttering words or sounds in imitation of natural sounds,

 also seen as onamatopeia (e.g., “kukkud” for a rooster’s crow) 

Theatrical Application: In Nāṭyaśāstra (the classical Sanskrit science

 of drama and performing arts), Anukaraṇa denotes mimicry or 

acting that reflects gestures, actions, or speech of characters 

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Usage in Literature and Grammar

• In Grammar (Vyakarana): Words can be termed Anukaraṇa when
• they imitate other sounds or the natural world, creating vivid 
• expressions in poetry or narratives 

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• In Theatre (Nāṭya): Anukaraṇa dictates the proper enactment
• of gestures, movements, and speech to convey emotions 
• authentically, making it a key technical term in dramaturgy 

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Summary

Anu karaṇa encapsulates the idea of 

“following, imitating, or emulating”, whether in action, sound, or

behavior. Its interpretation depends on the field of Sanskrit study:

from grammar and onomatopoeic words, to philosophy (imitating 

divine or ideal conduct), and artistic representation in theatre 

and poetry 

Wisdom Library+3

. The compound showcases 

Sanskrit’s precision in combining the notions of following (anu)

and acting/doing (karaṇa) into a single expressive concept.