aṅjaliḥ

The Sanskrit word 

अञ्जलिः (aṅjaliḥ or añjaliḥ), a masculine noun, primarily translates to:

• "Salutation" or "Reverence"
• "Divine offering" or "Benediction"
• "The cavity formed by joining the open hands together" (the hollow of the palms) 

Usage and Significance

The word aṅjali is often associated with a specific hand gesture called the Añjali Mudrā(or Praṇāmāsanā), widely used in Hindu, Buddhist, and other Asian traditions for greetings, farewells, prayers, and meditation. 

• Gesture of Respect: When performed, the palms are pressed together and typically held at the heart center. The gesture symbolizes respect, humility, and the unification of the left and right sides of the body (physical and spiritual harmony).
• A Measure: In some ancient texts, aṅjali was also used as a unit of measurement for grains or liquids, specifically "two handfuls" or as much as the hollowed hands could hold.
• Compound Terms: It frequently appears in compound words describing the action of showing reverence:
  • Kṛta-añjaliḥ or baddha-añjaliḥ: "with folded hands" or "one who has made a salutation with folded hands".
  • Udakāñjali: "two hands full of water" (used as a libation to ancestors). 

For more definitions and usage details, you can consult online Sanskrit dictionaries like the Sanskrit Dictionary at sanskritdictionary.com or the Wisdom Library.

more samples:

The Sanskrit word 

अञ्जलिः (aṅjaliḥ, meaning "salutation" or "folded hands") is very common in devotional, dramatic, and legal texts, where describing gestures of respect or supplication is necessary.

Here are samples of aṅjaliḥ used in various Sanskrit texts and common phrases:

1. In the Mahabharata and Ramayana

These epics often describe characters greeting sages or deities with folded hands.

• Sanskrit:

  kṛtāñjali-puṭaḥ prāha rāghavaṃ vipra-sattamam |

• Translation:

  "Having made the salutation with folded palms (añjali), the best of Brahmins spoke to Raghava [Rama]."

• Sanskrit: ...añjaliṃ cakāra
• Translation: "...he made a gesture of salutation (joined his hands)."

2. In the Manu-Smṛti (Laws of Manu 2.199)

This text uses aṅjali in a legal or social context to describe proper behavior and posture for a student.

• Sanskrit:

  udak-khāḥ prāṅ-mukhās tūṣṇīṃ yata-vāgbhiḥ samāhitaiḥ |
  upasaṅgṛhya pādau ca kuryād añjalim uttamam ||

• Translation:

  "Facing the North or East, silent, with collected minds, having clasped his teacher's feet, he shall perform the most excellent salutation [by joining his hands in reverence]."

3. As a Measure of Quantity (In Puranas and Ayurvedic Texts)

In technical contexts, añjali is a specific measurement of volume.

• Sanskrit: ekāñjali jalam
• Translation: "One handful (two palms full) of water."

4. In Devotional Hymns (Stotras)

Añjali is a common instruction or description in prayers, often combined with mudrā(gesture).

• Sanskrit: añjali-mudrā
• Translation: "The gesture of folded hands [for prayer/salutation]."
• Sanskrit: ...añjaliṃ baddhvā bhagavantaṃ praṇamatu
• Translation: "...folding your hands in salutation, bow down to the Divine Lord."

aṅga

The Sanskrit word 

अङ्ग (aṅga) has several meanings, but it most commonly translates to "limb," "part," "component," or "body". 

Key Meanings and Contexts

• Physical Body: In anatomical or general contexts, aṅga refers to a limb (such as a hand, foot, or head) or the entire body.
  • Example: In the medical science of Ayurveda, the human body is often discussed in terms of its various aṅgas (limbs/organs).
• Component or Part: Metaphorically, aṅga often means a component, constituent part, or subordinate division of a larger whole. This usage is very common in specific fields:
  • Yoga: The term Aṣṭāṅga-yoga (Ashtanga Yoga) literally translates to the "eight limbs" or "eight components" of yoga practice, as described by Patanjali.
  • Vedic Knowledge: The Vedāṅgas ("limbs of the Vedas") are six auxiliary disciplines of Vedic study, such as grammar (vyākaraṇa) and astronomy (jyotiṣa).
  • Dramaturgy/Music: It is also used in dance and music to refer to specific gestures of the major limbs or the elements of a musical composition.
• Geographical: 
  Aṅga
   was also the name of an ancient kingdom in eastern India, corresponding roughly to the modern-day Bhagalpur region. A famous character in the Mahabharata, Karna, was made the king of Anga.
• Adverbial Usage: In some specific poetic or dramatic contexts, aṅga can be used as an indeclinable particle for emphasis or as an address, similar to "O [dear one]" or "indeed". 

For more definitions and usage details, you can consult online Sanskrit dictionaries such as the one available at sanskritdictionary.com.

more samples:

The Sanskrit word 

अङ्ग (aṅga, meaning "limb," "part," or "component") is used in various contexts in literature, from descriptions of the physical body to philosophical classifications.

Here are samples of aṅga used in Sanskrit texts and common phrases:

1. In Physical Descriptions (from the Ṛgveda and Aṣṭāṅgahṛdayasaṃhitā)

These examples refer directly to the limbs of a body, emphasizing strength or physical posture.

• Sanskrit: sthirair aṅgaiṣ ṭuṣṭuvāṃsaḥ
• Translation: "With firm limbs we will worship the divinity".
• Sanskrit: kuryāt tadāsanaṃ sthairyamārogyaṃ cāṅga-lāghavam
• Translation: "The practice of āsana [posture] leads to steadiness, freedom from illness, and lightness in the limbs".
• Sanskrit: ... na cāṅgāni viyuñjīta ...
• Translation: "... one shall not twist one's limbs [nor sit in a squatting posture]". 

2. In Philosophical and Technical Terms

The word aṅga is frequently used to describe a "component" or "subordinate division" of a larger system.

• Aṣṭāṅga-yoga (अष्टाङ्गयोग): The name of Patanjali's "eight-limbed yoga" system, which includes:
  • Yama (universal morality)
  • Niyama (self-discipline)
  • Asana (posture)
  • Pranayama (breath control)
  • Pratyahara (sense withdrawal)
  • Dharana (concentration)
  • Dhyana (meditation)
  • Samadhi (union with the Divine)
• Vedāṅga (वेदाङ्ग): The six auxiliary disciplines (grammar, phonetics, astronomy, etc.) essential for the study and performance of the Vedas.
• Aṅga-rajya (अङ्गराज्य): The historical "Anga Kingdom," mentioned extensively in the Mahabharata, the land associated with the character Karna. 

3. As an Indeclinable Particle

In some poetic or conversational contexts, aṅga is used as a vocative particle to draw attention or indicate assent.

• Sanskrit: aṅga kaccit kuśalī tātaḥ
• Translation: "Well, sir, is your father doing well?" 

aṇḍam

The Sanskrit word 

अण्डम् (aṇḍam), or simply अण्ड (aṇḍa), translates primarily to "egg" or "testicle". 

The meaning in context is usually one of the following:

• Egg: Referring to the reproductive output of an animal (e.g., a bird, snake, etc.).
• The Universe (Cosmic Egg): In Hindu cosmology, aṇḍam often refers to the Brahmāṇḍa, the "egg of Brahmā" or the "cosmic egg," which is the golden-colored seed or globe from which the entire universe (or multitude of universes) is believed to have originated.
• Anatomy: It is also used to refer to a testicle or the scrotum.
• Architecture: In Vastu shastra (ancient Indian architecture), aṇḍa can refer to a bulbous architectural form, like the dome or cupola on a temple pinnacle. 

For more definitions and usage details, you can consult online Sanskrit dictionaries like the Sanskrit Dictionary at sanskritdictionary.com.

more samples:

The Sanskrit word 

अण्डम् (aṇḍam, meaning "egg" or "cosmic egg") appears frequently in mythological and cosmological texts, and less often in practical contexts for a physical egg. 

Here are samples of how aṇḍam is used in Sanskrit literature and common phrases:

1. In Cosmological Narratives (e.g., Manu-Smṛti, Skanda Purāṇa)

The most prominent use of the word is within the concept of the Brahmāṇḍa (ब्रह्माण्ड), or "Cosmic Egg," which is believed to be the source of the universe.

• Sanskrit (Manu-Smṛti 1.12-13):

  tasminn aṇḍe sa bhagavān uṣitvā parivatsaram / svayam evātmano dhyānāt tad aṇḍam akarod dvidhā //
  tābhyāṃ sa śakalābhyāṃ ca divaṃ bhūmiṃ ca nirmame / madhye vyoma diśaś cāṣṭāv apāṃ sthānaṃ ca śāśvataṃ //

• Translation:

  "In that egg, the divine one [Brahma] dwelt for a full year; then by his own meditation, he divided that egg into two [halves]. With those two halves, he made heaven and earth, and in the middle the atmosphere, the eight directions, and the eternal place of the waters."

• Sanskrit (Skanda Purāṇa):

  ... purā brahmā prajādhyakṣaḥ aṇḍe 'smin samprasūyate

• Translation:

  "...once upon a time, Brahmā, the chief of offspring, was born in this egg."

   

2. In General/Anatomical Contexts

The word can also refer to physical eggs or anatomical parts like testicles.

• Sanskrit: ...kāṣṭhābhyāṃ cūrṇitāṇḍadvayaḥ...
• Translation: "...crushing two testicles with sticks..."
• Sanskrit (Common phrase): sa pratidinaṃ kukkuṭyāḥ aṇḍam atti
• Translation: "He eats the chicken's egg every day." 

These samples illustrate the dual usage of aṇḍam, ranging from everyday life to fundamental concepts of creation in Hindu scripture.