Aṃśaḥ
By M. A. Alwar
Aṃśaḥ literally means dividing or one division.
Origin of the Word Aṃśaḥ[edit]
Aṃśaḥ is the word derived from the verb-root ‘aṃśa vibhājane’. This word ends in the syllable ‘a’. It belongs to the tenth group called curādi.
Synonyms of the Word Aṃśaḥ[edit]
Synonyms of aṃśaḥ given in Amarakośa are:
- 'Bhāgaḥ’
- ‘Vaṇṭakaḥ’
Jaṭādhara adds other synonyms which are:
- ‘Vibhāgaḥ’
- ‘Bhaktiḥ’
Pronounciation of the Word Aṃśaḥ[edit]
While pronouncing the word Aṃśaḥ the dental S is used because the Kavikalpadruma says aṃśāsakta vibhājane. While vidyāvinoda etc. says that the word ‘aṃsa’ means shoulder only.
General Meanings of the word Aṃśaḥ[edit]
On general terms the word aṃśa has several meanings. They are:
- A part of a thing
- A part of inherited property
- One fourth of a thing or number
- The result of division (in mathematics)
- A special form of the Sun
Aṃśaḥ as per Mahābhārata[edit]
The Mahābhārata says aṃśaḥ to be “The 1/360 part of a circle."
Aṃśaḥ as per Geometry[edit]
According to geometry ‘aṃśa’ is degree.
Aṃśaḥ as per Epics[edit]
A king who belonged to Yadu’s dynasty was also called ‘aṃśa’ which is known from a statement in the epics.[1]
References[edit]
- ↑ “धाता मित्रोऽर्य्यमा शक्रो वरुणस्त्वंश एव च ।भगो विवस्वान् पूषा च सविता दशमस्तथा॥एकादशस्तथा त्वष्टा द्वादशो विष्णुरेव च ।जघन्यजम्तु सर्व्वेषामादित्यानां गुणाधिकः”।। ततः कुरुवत्सः ततश्च अनुरथः ततः पुरुहोत्रो जज्ञे ततश्च अंश इति ।
- Shabdakalpadrumah by Raja Radhakantdev, Varadaprasada Vasu, Haricarana Vasu