anuvac

 “Anuvac” (अनुवच्) in Sanskrit primarily means to recite, repeat, or speak after someone, especially in the context of teaching, Vedic recitation, or textual repetition.

Etymology and Grammar

The word Anuvac is derived from the Sanskrit root vac (वच्), meaning

“to speak,” combined with the prefix anu- (after, along with), forming 

anu-vac, literally “to speak after” or “repeat”

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Grammatically, it can appear as a verb in causative forms or as a 

noun referring to the act of recitation itself. The term is related

to anuvācana, which also signifies repetition or recitation.

Definitions and Usage

To repeat, recite, or reiterate: Anuvac may refer to the act of repeating 

Vedic formulas, prayers, or knowledge conveyed by a teacher 

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To say after someone: In classical teaching methods, the student

recites or repeats after a guru or senior speaker, which is described

by anuvac 

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To communicate or teach: Causatively, it can also mean to cause 

someone to recite, or to read aloud for learning purposes

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Concession or assent: In certain philosophical or ritualistic contexts,

anuvac can imply yielding to a statement (though this is less common) 

while still retaining the sense of speaking in response.

Noun form (Anuvāk / अनुवाक): The masculine noun Anuvāk refers

to a section of Vedic texts, a recitation, or a verbal passage to be 

repeated 

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Anuvāk represents a specific portion of scripture to be learned

or recited.

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Examples in Classical Texts

• Vedas and Brāhmaṇas use anuvac to denote the recitation of
• sacrificial formulas (e.g., Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa, Aitareya Brāhmaṇa)

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• A passage in Manusmṛti uses it to indicate repeating words or 
• instructions for proper understanding

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In summary, Anuvac captures the tradition of oral repetition crucial 

to Sanskrit learning, ritual recitations, and teaching, conveying 

meanings ranging from simply repeating words after someone

to formally reciting portions of classical texts

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