apapitva

 

Apapitva (अपपित्व) is a term found in Vedic Sanskrit literature, including 

the Ṛgveda (3.53.24). Its meaning and grammatical characterization 

are as follows:

 Etymology

• The word derives from a tatpurusha compound: apa + pitva.
  • apa – denotes "away" or "separation."
  • pitva – derived from the root √pat meaning “to go” or “to fall.”

Thus, apapitva conveys the idea of going away, separation, or 

turning away from something.

Sanskrit Lexical Definition

Monier-Williams / Apte / Goldstücker: all identify apapitva as an

abstract noun (-tva suffix), meaning:

• Separation
• Going away
• Severance

Example usage from the Ṛgveda:

$\mathrm{भ}\mathrm{र}\mathrm{त}\mathrm{स}\mathrm{्}\mathrm{य}\mathrm{प}\mathrm{ु}\mathrm{त}\mathrm{्}\mathrm{र}\mathrm{ा}\mathrm{ः}\mathrm{अ}\mathrm{प}\mathrm{प}\mathrm{ि}\mathrm{त}\mathrm{्}\mathrm{व}\mathrm{ं}\mathrm{च}\mathrm{ि}\mathrm{क}\mathrm{ि}\mathrm{त}\mathrm{ु}\mathrm{र}\mathrm{्}\mathrm{न}\mathrm{प}\mathrm{्}\mathrm{र}\mathrm{प}\mathrm{ि}\mathrm{त}\mathrm{्}\mathrm{व}\mathrm{म}\mathrm{्}$भरतस्यपुत्राःअपपित्वंचिकितुर्नप्रपित्वम्

Here, apapitvam refers to a notion of distancing or separation, in 

contrast to prapitvam (coming near or attainment).

Grammatical Notes

It is classified as a Vedic noun (n) and is grammatically neuter.

The form apapitvam is the accusative singular of the abstract noun

apapitva.

The compound is considered irregular in its vowel-length pattern 

and belongs to the same morphological class as words like

karkandhu or śakandhu.

 Conceptual Significance

• In Vedic context, apapitva often contrasts with prapitva:
  • Prapitva – approaching or attaining.
  • Apapitva – departing, separation, or avoidance.

Grammatically, it’s illustrative of how -tva is used to form abstract 

nominalizations from verbal roots in Sanskrit. These abstract nouns 

denote a quality, state, or condition derived from the verb.

Summary

• Type: Tatpurusha compound noun, neuter gender.
• Sanskrit form: अपपित्व (apapitva)
• English: separation, turning away, going away
• Root Verb: √pat (“to go”)
• Suffix: -tva (abstract noun formation)

Vedic Usage: Emphasizes the conceptual opposite of reaching or

approaching (prapitva).

In essence, apapitva is a classic example in Sanskrit of how abstract

nouns are formed from verbal roots and directional prefixes, encoding

semantic notions such as departure, separation, or turning away 

in Vedic hymns.

References:

• Monier-Williams, A Sanskrit-English Dictionary
• Apte, The Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary
• Ṛgveda 3.53.24
• Wisdom Library, Apapitva Definitions