Ayu, aka: Āyu; 10 Definition(s)

Introduction

Ayu means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, Buddhism, Pali, Marathi. 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.

In Hinduism

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Āyu (आयु):—One of the six sons of Purūravā (son of Budha) by the womb of Urvaśī. His sons were called Nahuṣa, Kṣatravṛddha, Rajī, Rābha and Anenā. (see Bhāgavata Purāṇa 9.15.1, 9.17.1-3)

1a) Āyu (आयु).—A son of Prāṇa and Ūrjasvatī: a Vasu;¹ Father of Vaitaṇḍya and others.²

• 1) Bhāgavata-purāṇa VI. 6. 12.
• 2) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 3. 21, 24.

1b) The son of Puruhotra, and father of Sātvata.^*

• * Bhāgavata-purāṇa IX. 24. 6.

1c) One of the six sons of Purūravas and Urvaśī; wife Prabhā, Rāhu's daughter; father of five sons, Nahuṣa, Vṛddhaśarman, Rāju, Dambha, and Vipāpman, all of them expert warriors.^*

• * Bhāgavata-purāṇa IX. 15. 1; 17. 1; Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 66. 22, 90; 67. 1; Matsya-purāṇa 24. 33-5; Vāyu-purāṇa 91. 51; Viṣṇu-purāṇa IV. 6. 73; 7. 1; 8. 1-3.

1d) A son of Kṛṣṇa and Bhadrā.^*

• * Bhāgavata-purāṇa X. 61. 17.

1e) The sage presiding over the month of puṣya.^*

• * Bhāgavata-purāṇa XII. 11. 42.

1f) (Śuci Agni). Father of Mahiṣa.^*

• * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 12. 38-40.

1g) A carakādhvaryu.^*

• * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 33. 13.

1h) The Agni that lives in paśu.^*

• * Vāyu-purāṇa 29. 37.

1i) A son of Aṅgirasa; father of Amāvasu.^*

• * Vāyu-purāṇa 65. 105; 73. 5.

Āyu (आयु) is a name mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. I.90.7) and represents one of the many proper names used for people and places. Note: The Mahābhārata (mentioning Āyu) is a Sanskrit epic poem consisting of 100,000 ślokas (metrical verses) and is over 2000 years old.

context information

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.

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Āyu (आयु) refers to “lifespan determining (karmas)” and represents one of the eight types of Prakṛti-bandha (species bondage): one of the four kinds of bondage (bandha) according to the 2nd-century Tattvārthasūtra chapter 8.—Accordingly, “what is meant by lifespan determining karma (āyu)? The karmas which give the living body existence in the four destinies (hell, heaven, human and sub human) are called lifespan determining karma”.

There are of four different types of life determining (āyu) karma:

1. heavenly/celestial realms or states of existence (deva or devāyu),
2. infernal /hellish realms or states of existence (naraka or nārakāyu),
3. human realms or states of existence (manuṣya or manuṣyāyu),
4. sub-human realms or states of existence (animal and plant) (tiryañca or tiryañcāyu).

Out of the four realms which destinies are the auspicious and/or inauspicious? The three realms i.e. heavenly, human and sub-human are auspicious and the heavenly realm is inauspicious.

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.

Languages of India and abroad

Pali-English dictionary

āyu : (nt.) age.

Āyu, (nt.) (Vedic āyus; Av. āyu, gradation form of same root as Gr. ai)w/n “aeon”, ai)έn always; Lat. aevum, Goth. aiws. Ohg. ēwa, io always; Ger. ewig eternal; Ags. āē eternity, ā always (cp. ever and aye)) life, vitality, duration of life, longevity D. III, 68, 69, 73, 77; S. III, 143 (usmā ca); IV, 294; A. I, 155; II, 63, 66 (addh°); III, 47; IV, 76, 139; Sn. 694, 1019; It. 89; J. I, 197 (dīgh°); Vv 55⁵ (cp. VvA. 247 with its definition of divine life as comprising 30 600 000 years); Vism. 229 (length of man’s āyu = 100 years); Dhs. 19, 82, 295, 644, 716; Sdhp. 234, 239, 258.—Long or divine life, dibbaṃ āyu is one of the 10 attributes of ādhipateyya or majesty (see ṭhāna), thus at Vin. I, 294; D. III, 146; S. IV, 275 sq. ; A. I, 115; III, 33; IV, 242, 396; Pv. II, 9⁵⁹ (= jīvitaṃ PvA. 136).

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.

Marathi-English dictionary

āyu (आयु).—n S The term or period of life, life-time.

āyu (आयु).—n Life-time.

Sanskrit-English dictionary

Āyu (आयु).—a. [i-ṭhaṇ Uṇ.1.2] Ved. Living, going, movable.

-yuḥ 1 A living being, man.

2) Mankind, human race.

3) Living beings taken collectively.

4) The first man.

5) Life, duration of life.

6) Wind, अहं केशरिणः क्षेत्रे वायुना जगदायुना (ahaṃ keśariṇaḥ kṣetre vāyunā jagadāyunā) Mb.

7) A son, descendant, offspring.

8) The son of Purūravas and Urvaśī.

Āyu (आयु).—mn. (-yuḥ-yu) Age, duration of life. E. ay to go, Unadi affix ḍu.

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