anuṣvāpam

 Anuṣvāpam (अनुष्वापम्) in Sanskrit generally means “continuing to sleep” or “sleeping on,” and conveys a state of slumber or drowsiness, as used in the Rigveda.

Etymology

The term anuṣvāpam is derived from the prefix ‘anu-’, meaning “along, 

after, or continuing,” combined with the root √svap, which means

“to sleep” in Sanskrit. Thus, anu-ṣvāpam literally translates as

"continuing to sleep" or “following sleep”

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• anu- (अनु) – subsequent, following, along with
• √svap (स्वप्) – to sleep

Dictionary Meaning

• Böhtlingk Sanskrit Dictionary lists anuṣvā́pam as Absol. fortschlafend, 
• meaning “sleeping continuously” or “still asleep” in an absolute sense

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• According to Yogawiki’s Sanskrit-German translation, anuṣvāpam
• is understood as “schläfrig” or “in a drowsy manner”

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Usage in Texts

Anuṣvāpam appears in classical Vedic literature, such as the

Rigveda (VIII.97.3), indicating a drowsy or continuing sleep state.

It can denote both literal sleep and metaphorically a state of inactivity 

or lethargy in early Vedic hymns

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Interpretation

In a broader sense, anuṣvāpam can convey:

• Physical sleep or slumber, often continuous or lingering
• A metaphorical state of dormancy or inactivity in philosophical 
• or ritual contexts

This dual aspect makes it relevant both in Vedic recitations referring to

human or cosmic processes and in Sanskrit grammatical studies

when analyzing derivation with prefixes (anu- in this case) and 

roots (like svap)

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In summary, anuṣvāpam captures the concept of continuing sleep 

and is a typical Vedic Sanskrit lexeme with usage both in literal 

and figurative contexts

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