anna vikāra

 In Sanskrit, anna‑vikāra primarily means the transformation of food, especially its digestion and assimilation, and secondarily refers to indigestion or seminal fluid depending on context.

Core Sanskrit Meaning

The compound anna‑vikāra = anna (food) + vikāra (change, transformation).
Sanskrit dictionaries define it mainly as:

• “transformation of food; assimilation”

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• “disorder of the stomach caused by indigestion”

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• “seminal discharge; semen itself” (based on the idea that semen arises from transformed food, as in annād retaḥ saṃbhavati)

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Detailed senses attested in Sanskrit sources

• Transformation of food — the physiological or conceptual process by which food changes form, including digestion and preparation. This is the primary meaning in classical Sanskrit lexicons

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• Indigestion / stomach disorder — a secondary sense, also found in Sanskrit and more common in later usage

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• Semen / seminal fluid — based on traditional physiology where semen is considered a refined product of food

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Notes on usage

• The term appears in grammatical and philosophical discussions as a general example of vikāra (“modification, change”).
• In Ayurvedic or physiological contexts, it refers to digestive transformation or digestive disturbance.
• In some texts, it can refer to any prepared or altered form of food, especially “made dishes,” as noted in lexicographic commentary

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Related background

• Anna (अन्न) means food

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• Vikāra (विकार) means change, modification, transformation, and also disease or disorder depending on context

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• Thus anna‑vikāra naturally covers both positive transformation (digestion, preparation) and negative transformation (indigestion).
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