Vasu, Vasū, Vāsu, Vāsū: 33 definitions

Introduction:

Vasu means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, the history of ancient India, Marathi, biology. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

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In Hinduism

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: Wisdom Library: Bhagavata Purana

1) Vasu (वसु):—Son of Bhūtajyoti (son of Sumati). He had a son named Pratīka. (see Bhāgavata Purāṇa 9.2)

2) Vasu (वसु):—One of the four sons of Kuśa (son of Ajaka). (see Bhāgavata Purāṇa 9.15.4)

3) (Uparicara) Vasu (उपरिचर वसु):—Son of Kṛtī (son of Cyavana, who was the son of Suhotra, who was the son of Sudhanu). He had many sons, amongst which were Kuśāmba, Matsya, Pratyagra and Cedipa. They were all headed by another son named Bṛhadratha, and all of them became ruler of the Cedi state. (see Bhāgavata Purāṇa 9.22.4-6)

Source: archive.org: Puranic Encyclopedia

1) Vasu (वसु).—A King named Uparicaravasu. For further details see under Uparicaravasu).

2) Vasu (वसु).—Aṣṭavasus. (The eight Vasus). (For further details see under Aṣṭavasus).

3) Vasu (वसु).—A son born to Kuśa, King of Kanyākubja by his wife Vaidarbhī. Kuśa had four sons, Kuśāmba, Kuśanābha, Asūrtarajas and Vasu. Of them Kuśāmba built the city of Kauśāmbī, Kuśanābha the city of Mahodayapura, Asūrtarajas the city of Dharmāraṇya and Vasu the city of Girivraja which is erected in the middle of five hills. The river Māgadhī flows around this city. (Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Bālakāṇḍa Sarga 32).

4) Vasu (वसु).—A Vasu is mentioned in Brahmāṇḍa Purāṇa Chapter 58, as the brother of Paraśurāma. Vasu, Rumaṇvān, Suṣeṇa, Viśvāvasu and Paraśurāma were the five sons born to Jamadagni by his wife Reṇukā.

5) Vasu (वसु).—A son of Murāsura. The sons of Murāsura were, Tāmra, Antarīkṣa, Śravaṇa, Vasu, Vibhāvasu, Nabhasvān and Aruṇa. (Bhāgavata, Skandha 10).

6) Vasu (वसु).—A mighty King of the Kṛmi dynasty. (Mahābhārata, Udyoga Parva, Chapter 74, Stanza 13).

7) Vasu (वसु).—It is mentioned in Mahābhārata, Ādi Parva, Chapter 94, Stanza 17, that the King Īlina had five sons, Duṣyanta, Śūra, Bhīma, Pravasu and Vasu by his wife Rathantarī.

8) Vasu (वसु).—A scholarly Brahmin-hermit. The hermit Paila was the son of this Vasu. (Mahābhārata Sabhā Parva Chapter 33, Stanza 35).

9) Vasu (वसु).—Vasu is used as a synonym of Śiva in Mahābhārata, Anuśāsana Parva, Chapter 17, Stanza 140.

10) Vasu (वसु).—A name of Mahāviṣṇu. (Mahābhārata Anuśāsana Parva, Chapter 149, Stanza 25).

11) Vasu (वसु).—A King. He was born to Uttānapāda by Sūnṛtā. A controversy arose among hermits once, about cow-sacrifice and for a solution of the problem the hermits approached this king Vasu, who told them his perception that the sacrifice of cow was, strictly speaking, a matter of slaughter and as such it was to be forbidden. As the hermits could not agree with the King, they cursed him "Let the King go to Pātāla (underworld). Vasu then did very severe penance and attained heaven. (Matsya Purāṇa, 143, 18-25).

Source: archive.org: Nilamata Purana: a cultural and literary study

Vasu (वसु) refers to a group of deities that was once worshipped in ancient Kashmir (Kaśmīra) according to the Nīlamatapurāṇa.—Various groups of the deities like Ādityas, Vasus, Sādhyas, Viśvedevas and Maruts have their place in the pantheon of the Nīlamata but nothing significant is said about them.

Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

1) Vasu (वसु) refers to one of the various classifications of Gaṇas: a group of deities attached to Lord Śiva.—Gaṇas are troops who generally appear in classes. Nine such classes are mentioned in the Purāṇas: They are (1) Ādityas (2) Viśvas or Viśvedevas (3) Vasus (4) Tuṣitas (5) Ābhāsvaras (6) Anilas (7) Mahārājikas (8) Sādhyas (9) Rudras. These are attached to Lord Śiva and serve under the command of Gaṇeśa, dwelling on Gaṇaparvata identified with Kailāsa—a peak of the Himālaya mountain.

Vasus were invited to Dakṣa’s sacrifice, as mentioned in the Śivapurāṇa 2.2.27. Accordingly as Brahmā narrated to Nārada:—“[...] once a great sacrifice was started by Dakṣa, [...] Brahminical, Royal and celestial sages, kings, with their friends (mitra), ministers, armies etc, Vasus and other chief Gaṇadevatas—all of them were invited by him in the sacrifice”.

2) Vasu (वसु, “wealth”) is one of the twenty-four daughters of Dakṣa by Prasūti: one of the three daughters of Svāyambhuvamanu and Śatarūpā, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.1.16:—“Dakṣa begot twenty-four daughters. Thirteen daughters Śraddhā etc. were given to Dharma in marriage by Dakṣa. O lordly sage, listen to the names of Dharma’s wives. Their names are [... Vasu (wealth),...]. Thereupon the entire universe consisting of three worlds, mobile and immobile was filled (with progeny). Thus according to their own actions and at the bidding of Śiva innumerable famous Brahmins were born out of the various living beings”.

3) Vasu (वसु) is the chief of the eight Vasus (who in fact are personifications of natural phenomena, viz. water, pole-star, moon, earth, wind, fire, dawn and light), according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.43 (“Description of Śiva’s wonderful sport”).—Accordingly, after Śiva spoke to Viṣṇu and Brahmā: “[...] In the meantime, seeing the splendid vast army, O sage, Menā became delighted as usual. [...] On seeing Vasu, the lord of Vasus, along with Vasus, Menā became delighted and exclaimed—‘O this is Śiva’. O excellent sage, you told her ‘These are only the attendants of Śiva. This is not Śiva, the bridegroom’. On hearing this, Menā fell athinking ‘A person greater than this! Hā, how will he be!’ [...]”.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index

1a) Vasu (वसु).—A son of Vastara and Svarvīthi.*

  • * Bhāgavata-purāṇa IV. 13. 12.

1b) A son of Hiraṇyaretas; also the name of a territorial division of Kuśadvīpa.*

  • * Bhāgavata-purāṇa V. 20. 14.

1c) (vāstu-br. p.)—a Vasu, wife Angirasī, and son Viśvakarman.*

  • * Bhāgavata-purāṇa VI. 6. 11 and 15.

1d) The son of Bhūtajyotis, and father of Pratīka.*

  • * Bhāgavata-purāṇa IX. 2. 17-18.

1e) A daughter of Dakṣa and one of the ten wives of Dharma; gave birth to eight Vasus.*

  • * Bhāgavata-purāṇa VI. 6. 4, 10-11; Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 9. 50, 61; III. 3. 2 and 20. Matsya-purāṇa 5. 15: Viṣṇu-purāṇa I. 15. 105; Vāyu-purāṇa 66. 2.

1f) One of the four sons of Kuśa.*

  • * Bhāgavata-purāṇa IX. 15. 4; Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 66. 32; Vāyu-purāṇa 91. 62; Viṣṇu-purāṇa IV. 7. 8.

1g) A son of Mura (s.v.).*

  • * Bhāgavata-purāṇa X. 59. 12.

1h) A son of Kṛṣṇa and Sāmbā.*

  • * Bhāgavata-purāṇa X. 61. 13.

1i) (also vasudhāma)—another name for Brahmajyoti Agni.*

  • * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 12. 43; Vāyu-purāṇa 29. 21.

1j) One of the ten sons of Kardama; attained heaven by tapas.*

  • * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 14. 9; 30. 39.

1k) Is Soma.*

  • * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 24. 88.

1l) A son of Uttānapāda: Asked to arbitrate in the dispute involving animal sacrifice; said that yajña involved hiṃsa and justified Vasu's action: cursed therefor by sages to live in Rasātala (Pātāla-m.p.): attained heaven by tapas;1 his daughter Acchodāmatsyagandhi married Parāśara and gave birth to Vyāsa;2 a Rājaṛṣi.3

  • 1) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 30. 23-32, 39 and 47; 36. 89; Matsya-purāṇa 143. 18-25. Vāyu-purāṇa 1. 111; 57. 101-11; 62. 76.
  • 2) Matsya-purāṇa 14. 14.
  • 3) Vāyu-purāṇa 57. 122.

1m) A Pratardana god.*

  • * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 36. 30.

1n) A god of Ādya group.*

  • * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 36. 69.

1o) A Yakṣa: a son of Puṇyajanī and Maṇibhadra.*

  • * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 7. 123. Vāyu-purāṇa 69. 154.

1p) The great grand-son of Pṛthu and son of Kṛmi and equal to Indra: Cedipati;1 father of Upamanyu from whom the Upamanyava clan sprang.2

  • 1) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 8. 98; 68. 27; Matsya-purāṇa 50. 25-6; Vāyu-purāṇa 93. 26.
  • 2) Ib. 70. 89.

1q) A devī attending on Soma.*

  • * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 65. 26.

1r) A son of Devarakṣitā and Vasudeva, killed by Kaṃsa.*

  • * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 71. 181; Vāyu-purāṇa 96. 178.

1s) (Kāśyapa), a sage of the Rohita epoch.*

  • * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa IV. 1. 62; Viṣṇu-purāṇa III. 2. 23.

1t) A son of Purūravas and Ūrvaśī.*

  • * Matsya-purāṇa 24. 33.

1u) One of the ten sons of Svāyambhuva Manu;1 attained heaven by tapas.2

  • 1) Matsya-purāṇa 9. 5; Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 13. 104; Vāyu-purāṇa 31. 17.
  • 2) Matsya-purāṇa 143. 38.

1v) A son of Sāvarṇi Manu.*

  • * Matsya-purāṇa 9. 33.

1w) Left her consort, Mārīcakaśyapa for Soma.*

  • * Matsya-purāṇa 23. 25.

1x) A son of Bhṛgu; one of the ten Viśvedevas.*

  • * Matsya-purāṇa 195. 13; 203. 13.

1y) Eight in number, and sons of Dharma and Vasu;1 worshipped for wealth;2 fought with Kāleyas in a Devāsura war; gods of the Vaivasvata epoch, who wait on Hari;3 came with other gods to Dvārakā to ask Kṛṣṇa to go to Vaikuṇṭha.4 Brothers of Sādhyas and cursed to experience birth by sexual union; vanquished by Rāvaṇa; their overlord was Agni;5 also Jyotiṣmantas and Vyāpakas;6 one of the seven classes of deities of the Vaivasvata epoch;7 eight in number considered as aṃśā of Vāsudeva;8 Pitṛs said to be Vasus;9 Somapas.10

  • 1) Bhāgavata-purāṇa VI. 6. 10; 7. 2; 10. 17; Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 38. 2; IV. 15. 24.
  • 2) Bhāgavata-purāṇa II. 3. 3; IX. 24. 53; Viṣṇu-purāṇa III. 1. 31.
  • 3) Bhāgavata-purāṇa VIII. 10. 34; 13. 4; IX. 24. 52; X. 39. 54.
  • 4) Ib. XI. 6. 2; 16. 13.
  • 5) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 27. 24; III. 3. 20 and 80; 7. 254; 8. 5; Matsya-purāṇa 8. 4; Viṣṇu-purāṇa I. 22. 3; V. 1. 17; 4. 5.
  • 6) Matsya-purāṇa 5. 17; Viṣṇu-purāṇa I. 9. 64 and 70; 15. 105.
  • 7) Matsya-purāṇa 9. 29.
  • 8) Ib. 5. 20-21; 25. 43; 36. 1; 52. 21; Vāyu-purāṇa 10. 71; 39, 49; 30. 83, 99; 64. 2; 66. 19; 69. 44; 106. 59; 109. 22; Viṣṇu-purāṇa I. 15. 109-10.
  • 9) Matsya-purāṇa 19. 3.
  • 10) Ib. 69. 62; 132. 3; 203. 3; 246. 60; 247. 11.
Source: JatLand: List of Mahabharata people and places

Vasu (वसु) is a name mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. I.63.2, I.60.37) and represents one of the many proper names used for people and places. Note: The Mahābhārata (mentioning Vasu) is a Sanskrit epic poem consisting of 100,000 ślokas (metrical verses) and is over 2000 years old.

Source: Shodhganga: The saurapurana - a critical study

1) Vasu (वसु) refers to one of the ten of Dakṣa’s sixty daughters given to Dharma in marriage, according to one account of Vaṃśa (‘genealogical description’) of the 10th century Saurapurāṇa: one of the various Upapurāṇas depicting Śaivism.—Accordingly, Dakṣa gets married to Asikni, the daughter of Prajāpati Viraṇa and begot sixty daughters. [He gave ten daughters to Dharma in marriage] [...] The ten wives of Dharma are Sādhyā, Viśvā, Saṃkalpā, Muhūrtā, Arundhatī, Marutvatī, Vasu, Bhūnu, Lambā and Jāmī. The Vasus were born from Vasu.

The eight Vasus are Āpa, Nala, Soma, Dhruva, Anila, Anala, Pratyuṣa and Prabhāsa. But the Pañcalakṣaṇa text gives Dhara instead of Nala. Kāla (the chastiser of the world) is the son of Dhruva. Viśvakarman is the Son of Prabhāsa.

2) Vasu (वसु) refers to a group of deities in the Vaivasvatamanvantara.—Accordingly, “The present, the seventh manvantara is Vaivasvata [viz., vaivasvatamanvantara]. In this manvantara, Purandara is the Indra who is the Subduer of the pride of the Asuras; The gods are the Ādityas, the Rudras, the Vasus and the Maruts. The seven seers are Vasiṣṭha, Kaśyapa, Atri, Jamadagni, Gautama, Viśvāmitra and Bharadvāja.”.

Purana book cover
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The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

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Vyakarana (Sanskrit grammar)

Source: Wikisource: A dictionary of Sanskrit grammar

Vasu (वसु).—The krt. affix क्वसु (kvasu) which see above. The word वसु (vasu) is used for क्वसु (kvasu) by the Varttikakara; cf. वसुसंप्रसारणमाज्विधौ सिद्धं वक्तव्यम् (vasusaṃprasāraṇamājvidhau siddhaṃ vaktavyam) P.VI.4.22 Vart. 9.

Vyakarana book cover
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Vyakarana (व्याकरण, vyākaraṇa) refers to Sanskrit grammar and represents one of the six additional sciences (vedanga) to be studied along with the Vedas. Vyakarana concerns itself with the rules of Sanskrit grammar and linguistic analysis in order to establish the correct context of words and sentences.

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Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)

Source: archive.org: Isvara Samhita Vol 1

Vasu (वसु) refer to good or bright Gods, they are:

  1. Apa: containing water,
  2. Dhruva: polestar,
  3. Soma: moon,
  4. Dharā: earth,
  5. Anila: wind,
  6. Anala: fire,
  7. Pratyūṣa: dawn,
  8. Prabhāsa: light.
Pancaratra book cover
context information

Pancaratra (पाञ्चरात्र, pāñcarātra) represents a tradition of Hinduism where Narayana is revered and worshipped. Closeley related to Vaishnavism, the Pancaratra literature includes various Agamas and tantras incorporating many Vaishnava philosophies.

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Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma)

Source: Pure Bhakti: Bhagavad-gita (4th edition)

Vasu (वसु) refers to “eight demigods”. (cf. Glossary page from Śrīmad-Bhagavad-Gītā).

Vaishnavism book cover
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Vaishnava (वैष्णव, vaiṣṇava) or vaishnavism (vaiṣṇavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu’).

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Ayurveda (science of life)

Nighantu (Synonyms and Characteristics of Drugs and technical terms)

Source: WorldCat: Rāj nighaṇṭu

Vasu (वसु) is another name for Vasuka, an unidentified medicinal plant, possibly identified with either Premna barbata Wall. or Calotropis gigantia, according to verse 5.123-124 of the 13th-century Raj Nighantu or Rājanighaṇṭu. The fifth chapter (parpaṭādi-varga) of this book enumerates sixty varieties of smaller plants (kṣudra-kṣupa). Together with the names Vasu and Vasuka, there are a total of eight Sanskrit synonyms identified for this plant.

Ayurveda book cover
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Āyurveda (आयुर्वेद, ayurveda) is a branch of Indian science dealing with medicine, herbalism, taxology, anatomy, surgery, alchemy and related topics. Traditional practice of Āyurveda in ancient India dates back to at least the first millenium BC. Literature is commonly written in Sanskrit using various poetic metres.

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Ganitashastra (Mathematics and Algebra)

Source: archive.org: Hindu Mathematics

Vasu (वसु) represents the number 8 (eight) in the “word-numeral system” (bhūtasaṃkhyā), which was used in Sanskrit texts dealing with astronomy, mathematics, metrics, as well as in the dates of inscriptions and manuscripts in ancient Indian literature.—A system of expressing numbers by means of words arranged as in the place-value notation was developed and perfected in India in the early centuries of the Christian era. In this system the numerals [e.g., 8—vasu] are expressed by names of things, beings or concepts, which, naturally or in accordance with the teaching of the Śāstras, connote numbers.

Ganitashastra book cover
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Ganitashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, gaṇitaśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science of mathematics, algebra, number theory, arithmetic, etc. Closely allied with astronomy, both were commonly taught and studied in universities, even since the 1st millennium BCE. Ganita-shastra also includes ritualistic math-books such as the Shulba-sutras.

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General definition (in Hinduism)

Source: Apam Napat: Indian Mythology

The eight Vasus are divine beings, who reside in the heaven along with the Devas. The eldest of them was named Dhyou. Once they incurred the displeasure of the sage Vasishta who cursed them to be born on the earth. They were born as the sons of King Shantanu of the Chandra dynasty and his wife, the goddess Ganga. All but the eldest Dhyou were drowned on birth by Ganga, enabling them to return to their heavenly abode. The eldest of the Vasus, however, had been cursed with a life of sorrow and therefore survived for a long time. He was a renowned warrior and the grand old man of the Kuru dynasty, Bhishma.

In Buddhism

Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper Names

A class of devas of whom Sakka is the chief. See Vasava. D.ii.260; DA.ii.690.

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Theravāda is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).

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Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Tibetan Buddhism

Vasu (वसु) is the name of a Pratyekabuddha mentioned as attending the teachings in the 6th century Mañjuśrīmūlakalpa: one of the largest Kriyā Tantras devoted to Mañjuśrī (the Bodhisattva of wisdom) representing an encyclopedia of knowledge primarily concerned with ritualistic elements in Buddhism. The teachings in this text originate from Mañjuśrī and were taught to and by Buddha Śākyamuni in the presence of a large audience (including Vasu).

Tibetan Buddhism book cover
context information

Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha’s words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayāna) are collected indepently.

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In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: archive.org: Trisastisalakapurusacaritra

1) Vasu (वसु) refers to one of the 32 mountains between the lotus-lakes situated near the four Añjana mountains, which are situated in the “middle world” (madhyaloka), according to chapter 2.3 [ajitanātha-caritra] of Hemacandra’s 11th century Triṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacaritra: an ancient Sanskrit epic poem narrating the history and legends of sixty-three illustrious persons in Jainism.

Accordingly:—“In the four directions from each of the Añjana Mountains there are lotus-lakes, 100,000 yojanas square: [...]. Between each two lotus-lakes there are 2 Ratikara Mountains so there are 32 Ratikara Mountains (e.g., Vasu). On the Dadhimukha Mountains and on the Ratikara Mountains, there are eternal shrines of the Arhats, just as on the Añjana Mountains likewise at the intermediate points of the continent there are 4 Ratikara Mountains, having a length and width of 10,000 yojanas, and a height of 1,000 yojanas, made of all kinds of jewels, divine, the shape of a jhallarī. [...] In them (i.e., the 32 Ratikara Mountains, e.g., Vasu) the gods with all their splendor together with their retinues make eight-day festivals in the shrines on the holy days of the holy Arhats”.

2) Vasu (वसु) is the name of one of the various childhood friends of Mahābala (son of king Bala from Vītaśoka), according to chapter 6.6 [śrī-mallinātha-caritra].—Accordingly:—“[...] A son, named Mahābala, having complete power, indicated by the dream of a lion, was borne to the king [i.e., Bala] by his wife Dhāriṇī. When he was grown, Mahābala married on one day five hundred princesses, Kamalaśrī and others. He had childhood-friends, Acala, Dharaṇa, Pūraṇa, Vasu, Vaiśravaṇa, and Abhicandra. [...]”.

3) Vasu (वसु) is the son of Abhicandra (an ancient king from Śaktimatī), according to the Jain Ramayana and chapter 7.2 [Rāvaṇa’s expedition of conquest].—Accordingly, as Muni Nārada said to Rāvaṇa: “There is a city, Śaktimatī, famous throughout the world. It is adorned by the river Śaktimatī like a pleasure-companion. When many kings had come and gone since Munisuvrata of good vows, Abhicandra, best of kings, was king in this city. Abhicandra had a son, Vasu by name, very intelligent, known for speaking the truth. Under the guru Kṣīrakadamba, his son Parvataka, Prince Vasu, and I—the three of us—studied. [...]”.

Source: HereNow4u: Lord Śrī Mahāvīra

Vasu (वसु) is the father of Acalabhrātā: the ninth of the eleven gaṇadharas (group-leader) of Mahāvīra.—Śramaṇa Lord Mahāvīra’s congregation had 11 gaṇadharas. All these were Brahmin householders from different places. All these gaṇadharas (for example, Acalabhrātā) were Brahmins by caste and Vedic scholars. After taking initiation, they all studied the 11 Aṅgas. Hence, all of them had the knowledge of the 14 pūrvas and possessed special attainments (labdhis).

General definition book cover
context information

Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.

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India history and geography

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Indian Epigraphical Glossary

Vasu.—(IE 7-1-2; EI 15), ‘eight’. Note: vasu is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.

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Vāsu.—(Ep 11), a ward. Note: vāsu is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.

India history book cover
context information

The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.

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Biology (plants and animals)

Source: Google Books: CRC World Dictionary (Regional names)

Vasu in India is the name of a plant defined with Boerhavia diffusa in various botanical sources. This page contains potential references in Ayurveda, modern medicine, and other folk traditions or local practices It has the synonym Boerhavia coccinea var. leiocarpa (Heimerl) Standl. (among others).

Example references for further research on medicinal uses or toxicity (see latin names for full list):

· Flora Indica, or ‘Descriptions of Indian Plants’ (1820)
· Species Plantarum. (1797)
· The Gardeners Dictionary (1768)
· Observationum Botanicarum (Jacquin) (1771)
· Flora Indica, or ‘Descriptions of Indian Plants’ (1768)
· Fl. Cochinch. (1790)

If you are looking for specific details regarding Vasu, for example chemical composition, health benefits, pregnancy safety, side effects, extract dosage, diet and recipes, have a look at these references.

Biology book cover
context information

This sections includes definitions from the five kingdoms of living things: Animals, Plants, Fungi, Protists and Monera. It will include both the official binomial nomenclature (scientific names usually in Latin) as well as regional spellings and variants.

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Languages of India and abroad

Pali-English dictionary

Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionary

vasu : (nt.) wealth.

Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English Dictionary

Vasu, (nt.) (Vedic vasu good, cp. Gr. e)uζ good, Oir. fīu worthy, Goth. iusiza better) wealth; only in cpds. °deva the god of wealth, i.e. Kṛṣṇa (Kaṇha) Miln. 191 (as °devā followers of K.); J. V, 326 (here in T. as ādicco vāsudevo pabhaṅkaro, explained in C. as vasudevo vasujotano, i.e. an Ep. of the sun); Vism. 233 (Vāsudevo baladevo).—°dharā (f.) (as vasun-dharā) the bearer of wealth, i.e. the earth S. I, 100; A. III, 34; J. V, 425; Vism. 205, 366; DA. I, 61.—°dhā id. J. I, 25; Ap 53; Vism. 125. (Page 605)

Pali book cover
context information

Pali is the language of the Tipiṭaka, which is the sacred canon of Theravāda Buddhism and contains much of the Buddha’s speech. Closeley related to Sanskrit, both languages are used interchangeably between religions.

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Marathi-English dictionary

Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionary

vasu (वसु).—m (S) A kind of demigod of whom eight are enumerated. 2 n S Wealth.

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vasū (वसू).—m (vṛṣa S) A bull-calf or a bull branded and set at liberty. Pr. mājalā vasū khāyāsa kāḷa. 2 m f also vasūṃ n A ring or band of iron around the head (of a mallet, rammer, pounder &c.) to prevent it from splitting, a beetle-ring. 2 The iron lining within the nave of a wheel, jānavaḷēṃ, or any roller: also the band which passes around the phāḷa or share of a plough and connects it with the nāgarakhuṇṭa or spindle.

Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-English

vasu (वसु).—m A kind of demi-god. n Wealth.

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vasū (वसू).—m A bull branded and set at liberty.

context information

Marathi is an Indo-European language having over 70 million native speakers people in (predominantly) Maharashtra India. Marathi, like many other Indo-Aryan languages, evolved from early forms of Prakrit, which itself is a subset of Sanskrit, one of the most ancient languages of the world.

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Sanskrit dictionary

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Vasu (वसु).—a. Sweet.

2) Dry.

3) Ved. Wealthy, rich.

4) Ved. Good. -n. [वस्-उन् (vas-un) Uṇādi-sūtra 1.1]

1) Wealth, riches; स्वयं प्रदुग्धेऽस्य गुणैरुपस्नुता वसूपमानस्य वसूनि मेदिनी (svayaṃ pradugdhe'sya guṇairupasnutā vasūpamānasya vasūni medinī) Kirātārjunīya 1.18; R.8.31; 9.6 वस्वीशाद् वसुनिकरं (vasvīśād vasunikaraṃ) (labdhvā) धृतानुरागा (dhṛtānurāgā) Rām. ch.7.58.

2) A jewel, gem.

3) Gold.

4) Water; वसु काल उपादत्ते काले चायं विमुञ्चति (vasu kāla upādatte kāle cāyaṃ vimuñcati) Bhāgavata 4.16.6.

5) A thing, substance; त्रात्वार्थितो जगति पुत्रपदं च लेभे दुग्धा वसूनि वसुधा सकलानि येन (trātvārthito jagati putrapadaṃ ca lebhe dugdhā vasūni vasudhā sakalāni yena) Bhāgavata 2.7.9; Mahābhārata (Bombay) 12.98.2.

6) A kind of salt.

7) A medicinal root (vṛddhi).

8) A yellow kind of kidney-bean.

9) The ghee (ghṛta); विधिना वेददृष्टेन वसोर्धारा- मिवाध्वरे (vidhinā vedadṛṣṭena vasordhārā- mivādhvare) Mahābhārata (Bombay) 13.2.35. -m.

1) Name of a class of deities (usually pl. in this sense); सेयं भूरिवसोर्वसोरिव सुता मृत्यो- र्मुखे वर्तते (seyaṃ bhūrivasorvasoriva sutā mṛtyo- rmukhe vartate) Māl 5.24; Kirātārjunīya 1.18; (the Vasus are eight in number :-1 āpa, 2 dhruva, 3 soma, 4 dhara or dhava, 5 anila, 6 anala, 7 pratyūṣa, and 8 prabhāsa; sometimes aha is substituted for āpa; dharo dhruvaśca somaśca ahaścaivānilo'nalaḥ | pratyūṣaśca prabhāsaśca vasavo'ṣṭāviti smṛtāḥ).

2) The number 'eight'.

3) Name of Kubera.

4) Of Śiva.

5) Of Agni.

6) A tree.

7) A lake, pond.

8) A rein.

9) The tie of a yoke.

1) A halter.

11) A ray of light; निरकाशयद्रविमपेतवसुं वियदालयादपरदिग्गणिका (nirakāśayadravimapetavasuṃ viyadālayādaparadiggaṇikā) Śiśupālavadha 9.1; शिथिलवसुमगाधे मग्नमापत् पयोधौ (śithilavasumagādhe magnamāpat payodhau) Kirātārjunīya 1.46 (in both cases vasu means 'wealth' also).

12) The sun.

13) The distance from the elbow to the closed fist. -f.

1) A ray of light.

2) Light, radiance.

3) A medicinal root (vṛddhi).

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Vāsu (वासु).—

1) The soul.

2) The soul of the universe, Supreme Being.

3) Name of Viṣṇu.

4) The constellation पुनर्वसु (punarvasu).

Derivable forms: vāsuḥ (वासुः).

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Vāsū (वासू).—f. A young girl, maiden (used chiefly in dramas); एषासि वासु शिरसि गृहीता (eṣāsi vāsu śirasi gṛhītā) Mṛcchakaṭika 1.41; वासु प्रसीद (vāsu prasīda) Mṛcchakaṭika 1.

Derivable forms: vāsūḥ (वासूः).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Vasu (वसु).—mfn. (-suḥ-suḥ-su) 1. Sweet, sweet-flavoured. 2. Dry, dried. n. (-su) 1. Wealth, thing, substance. 2. A gem, a jewel. 3. A medicinal root, commonly Vriddhi. 4. Water. 5. Gold. 6. A yellow kind of kidneybean. 7. A sort of salt. 8. The number eight, i. e. the eight Vasus. m.

(-suḥ) 1. A kind of demi-god, of whom eight are enumerated, viz.:—Dhara, Dhruva, So4Ma or the moon, Apa, Anila or wind, Anala or fire, Prabhasa and Pratyusa. 2. A name of Agni or fire. 3. A ray of light. 4. The tie of a yoke. 5. A tree, (Sesbana grandiflora.) 6. The name of a king. 7. A name of Kuvera. 8. A tree in general. 9. A lake, a pool. 10. A rein, a halter. 11. A plant, (Trophis aspera.) 12. Siva. 13. The sun. 14. A kind of fish. E. vas to abide or dwell, Unadi aff. u .

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Vāsu (वासु).—m.

(-suḥ) 1. A name of Vishnu. 2. The soul, or the Supreme Being considered as the soul of the universe. E. vas to abide, (eternally,) uṇ Unadi aff.

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Vāsū (वासू).—f.

(-sūḥ) A young girl, a wench (in theatrical language.) E. vas to abide, in the causal form, (to take to dwell with one,) aff. ū .

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Vasu (वसु).—I. adj. 1. Sweet. 2. Dry. Ii. m. 1. A kind of demigod, [Rāmāyaṇa] 3, 52, 42; Mahābhārata 1, 2582. 2. A name of Agni. 3. Śiva. 4. Kuvera, [Kirātārjunīya] 1, 18. 5. The sun. 6. A ray of light, [Śiśupālavadha] 9, 10 (at the end of a comp. adj.; cf. 2. vas). 7. A rein. 8. The tie of a yoke. 9. A tree. 10. The name of two plants. 11. A kind of fish. 12. A proper name, [Lassen, Anthologia Sanskritica.] 2. ed. 67, 21. Iii. n. 1. Wealth, [Lassen, Anthologia Sanskritica.] 100, 8 = [Rigveda.] vii. 15, 4 (vasvas, ved. abl.); [Nala] 5, 48; [Daśakumāracarita] in Chr. 184, 14. 2. Gold, Mahābhārata 3, 13472. 3. A gem. 4. Water. 5. A sort of salt. 6. A yellow kind of kidney bean.

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Vāsu (वासु).—m. Viṣṇu; vāsū, see s. v.

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Vāsū (वासू).—i. e. vās + u, f. A young girl, [Daśakumāracarita] in Chr. 181, 24; 187, 14.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Vasu (वसु).—[feminine] vasvī (& vasu) [adjective] good, wholesome; [masculine] [Epithet] of the gods or a class of (8) gods, [Name] of [several] men; [neuter] good, property, wealth, riches.

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Vāsū (वासू).—[feminine] girl, maiden.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

1) Vasu (वसु):—[from vas] 1. vasu mf(u or )n. (for 2. See p. 932, col. 3) excellent, good, beneficent, [Ṛg-veda; Gṛhya-sūtra and śrauta-sūtra]

2) [v.s. ...] sweet, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

3) [v.s. ...] dry, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

4) [v.s. ...] Name of the gods (as the ‘good or bright ones’, [especially] of the Ādityas, Maruts, Aśvins, Indra, Uṣas, Rudra, Vāyu, Viṣṇu, Śiva, and Kubera), [Ṛg-veda; Atharva-veda; Mahābhārata; Rāmāyaṇa]

5) [v.s. ...] of a [particular] class of gods (whose number is usually eight, and whose chief is Indra, later Agni and Viṣṇu; they form one of the nine Gaṇas or classes enumerated under Gaṇa-devatā q.v.; the eight Vasus were originally personifications, like other Vedic deities, of natural phenomena, and are usually mentioned with the other Gaṇas common in the Veda, viz. the eleven Rudras and the twelve Ādityas, constituting with them and with Dyaus, ‘Heaven’, and Pṛthivī, ‘Earth’ [or, according to some, with Indra and Prajā-pati, or, according to others, with the two Aśvins], the thirty-three gods to which reference is frequently made; the names of the Vasus, according to the Viṣṇu-Purāṇa, are, 1. Āpa [connected with ap, ‘water’]; 2. Dhruva, ‘the Pole-star’; 3. Soma, ‘the Moon’; 4. Dhava or Dhara; 5. Anila, ‘Wind’; 6. Anala or Pāvaka, ‘Fire’; 7. Pratyūṣa, ‘the Dawn’; 8. Prabhāsa, ‘Light’; but their names are variously given; Ahan, ‘Day’, being sometimes substituted for 1; in their relationship to Fire and Light they appear to belong to Vedic rather than Purānic mythology), [Ṛg-veda] etc. etc.

6) [v.s. ...] a symbolical Name of the number ‘eight’ [Varāha-mihira’s Bṛhat-saṃhitā]

7) [v.s. ...] a ray of light, [Naighaṇṭuka, commented on by Yāska i, 15]

8) [v.s. ...] a [particular] ray of light, [Viṣṇu-purāṇa]

9) [v.s. ...] = jina, [Śīlāṅka] (only [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.] the sun; the moon; fire; a rope, thong; a tree; Name of two kinds of plant = baka and pīta-madgu; a lake, pond; a kind of fish; the tie of the yoke of a plough; the distance from the elbow to the closed fist)

10) [v.s. ...] Name of a Ṛṣi (with the [patronymic] Bharad-vāja, author of [Ṛg-veda ix, 80-82], reckoned among the seven sages), [Harivaṃśa]

11) [v.s. ...] of a son of Manu, [ib.]

12) [v.s. ...] of a son of Uttāna-pāda, [ib.]

13) [v.s. ...] of a prince of the Cedis also called Upari-cara, [Mahābhārata]

14) [v.s. ...] of a son of Īlina, [ib.]

15) [v.s. ...] of a son of Kuśa and the country called after him, [Ṛg-veda]

16) [v.s. ...] of a son of Vasu-deva, [Bhāgavata-purāṇa]

17) [v.s. ...] of a son of Kṛṣṇa, [ib.]

18) [v.s. ...] of a son of Vatsara, [ib.]

19) [v.s. ...] of a son of Hiraṇya-retas and the Varṣa ruled by him, [ib.]

20) [v.s. ...] of a son of Bhūtajyotis, [ib.]

21) [v.s. ...] of a son of Naraka, [ib.]

22) [v.s. ...] of a king of Kaśmīra, [Catalogue(s)]

23) [v.s. ...] (u) f. light, radiance, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

24) [v.s. ...] a [particular] drug, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

25) [v.s. ...] Name of a daughter of Dakṣa and mother of the Vasus (as a class of gods), [Harivaṃśa; Viṣṇu-purāṇa]

26) [from vas] n. (in Veda [genitive case] vasos, vasvas and vasunas; also [plural], exceptionally m.) wealth, goods, riches, property, [Ṛg-veda] etc. etc. (soṣ-pati m. [probably] ‘the god of wealth or property’ [Atharva-veda i, 12] [Paipp.] asoṣ-p, ‘the god of life’; sor-dhārā f. ‘stream of wealth’, Name of a [particular] libation of Ghṛta at the Agni-cayana, [Atharva-veda; Taittirīya-saṃhitā; Brāhmaṇa] etc.; of the wife of Agni, [Bhāgavata-purāṇa]; of the heavenly Gaṅgā, [Mahābhārata]; of sacred bathing-place, [ib.]; of a kind of vessel, [ib.]; sor-dhārā-prayoga m. Name of [work])

27) [v.s. ...] n. gold (See -varma-dhara)

28) [v.s. ...] a jewel, gem, pearl (See -mekhala)

29) [v.s. ...] any valuable or precious object, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

30) [v.s. ...] n. (also f.) a [particular] drug, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

31) [v.s. ...] n. a kind of salt (= romaka), [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

32) [v.s. ...] water, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

33) [v.s. ...] a horse (?), [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

34) [v.s. ...] = śyāma, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

35) [from vas] 2. vasu m. or n. (for 1. See p. 930, col. 3) dwelling or dweller (See saṃ-vasu).

36) a 1. 2. vasu. See pp. 930 and 932.

37) Vāsu (वासु):—m. (said to be [from] √5. vas) Name of Viṣṇu (is dwelling in all beings), [Uṇādi-sūtra i, 1 [Scholiast or Commentator]]

38) the spirit or soul considered as the Supreme Being or Soul of the universe, [Horace H. Wilson] (also Vṛddhi form of vasu in [compound])

39) Vāsū (वासू):—f. (of doubtful derivation) a young girl, maiden ([vocative case] vāsu), [Daśakumāra-carita]

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary

1) Vasu (वसु):—(suḥ) 2. m. A kind of demigod; fire; a ray; a tree; a lake; a rein. n. Wealth; a gem, gold; water. a. Sweet; dry.

2) Vāsu (वासु):—(suḥ) 2. m. A name of Vishnu; soul of the universe; life; love.

3) Vāsū (वासू):—(sūḥ) 3. f. A young girl.

Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)

Vasu (वसु) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit words: Vasu, Vasū.

[Sanskrit to German]

Vasu in German

context information

Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.

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Prakrit-English dictionary

Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary

1) Vasu (वसु) in the Prakrit language is related to the Sanskrit word: Vasu.

2) Vasū (वसू) also relates to the Sanskrit word: Vasū.

context information

Prakrit is an ancient language closely associated with both Pali and Sanskrit. Jain literature is often composed in this language or sub-dialects, such as the Agamas and their commentaries which are written in Ardhamagadhi and Maharashtri Prakrit. The earliest extant texts can be dated to as early as the 4th century BCE although core portions might be older.

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Kannada-English dictionary

Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Vasu (ವಸು):—

1) [adjective] rich; wealthy.

2) [adjective] sweet; delicious.

3) [adjective] good; suitable; becoming; desirable; proper.

4) [adjective] dry; parched; dried up; dehydrated.

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Vasu (ವಸು):—

1) [noun] much money or property; great amount of worldly possessions; riches; wealth.

2) [noun] any precious stone; a gem.

3) [noun] gold.

4) [noun] water.

5) [noun] a physical object; a substance.

6) [noun] the tree Sesbania grandiflora ( = Robinia grandiflora) of Papilionaceae family; agati sesbania.

7) [noun] the plant Trophis aspera.

8) [noun] a pond; a lake.

9) [noun] a class of deities.

10) [noun] Kubēra, the Regent of Wealth.

11) [noun] Śiva.

12) [noun] Agni, the Fire-God.

13) [noun] bridle strap; the reins.

14) [noun] a length of rope for tying cattle.

15) [noun] a piece of rope or cord used to harness an ox to the yoke.

16) [noun] a ray or rays of light.

17) [noun] the sun.

18) [noun] light; splendour; brilliance.

19) [noun] that which is improtant; an important thing.

20) [noun] a piece of cloth.

21) [noun] a flat, broad piece of metal or wood, used as a defence against blows or missiles; a shield.

22) [noun] a forest; wood.

23) [noun] nearness; proximity.

24) [noun] air or wind.

25) [noun] a mountain.

26) [noun] (math.) a symbol for the number eight.

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Vāsu (ವಾಸು):—[verb] to read aloud a book, pasage, etc.

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Vāsu (ವಾಸು):—

1) [noun] the Supreme Being who is omnipresent.

2) [noun] the soul.

3) [noun] Viṣṇu.

4) [noun] the second brightest star in the constellation Gemini; the Castor (sometimes considered the twin of Pollux).

context information

Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.

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