अनंत
ananta
The Sanskrit word for infinity is अनंत (ananta).
The term is used to denote endlessness, unlimitedness or the absence of an end or limit.
Meaning: endlessness, unlimitedness, absence of end or limit (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the negative prefix an- (not) and anta (end or limit).
Which one should you use?
While अनंत translates to "infinite" or "endless," the related form अपरिमित specifically implies something that is "infinite" or "immeasurable."
How does it change in a sentence?
The word अनंत can be inflected to match the gender of the noun it modifies, such as the feminine form अनन्ता.
How do you pronounce it?
ananta
Did you know?
- The word अनंत is also the name of a famous serpent in Hindu mythology, Ananta Shesha, who holds the universe in his coils. This links the concept of mathematical infinity to the physical support of the cosmos.
- In various Indian languages derived from Sanskrit, अनंत is used as a common masculine given name for people.
- In traditional Indian mathematics, the concept of 'infinity' was approached through the study of 'shunya', or zero, and how it interacts with other numbers to create endlessness.
Examples in context
- जगत् अनंतम् अस्तिThe universe is infinite.
- आत्मा अनादि अनन्तः नित्यःThe soul is beginningless, endless, and eternal.
- तस्य ज्ञानं अनन्तम् अस्ति।tasya jñānaṃ anantam asti.His knowledge is endless.
- आकाशः अनन्तः अस्ति।ākāśaḥ anantaḥ asti.The sky is without limit.
Example conversation
Two students are discussing the universe in a classroom.
- ईशा Ishaआदित्य, किं ब्रह्माण्डं अनंतं अस्ति?Āditya, kiṃ brahmāṇḍaṃ anantaṃ asti?Aditya, is the universe infinity?
- आदित्य Adityaआम् ईशे, एतत् अनंतं दृश्यते।ām Īśe, etat anantaṃ dṛśyate.Yes Isha, it appears as infinity.
- ईशा Ishaतदा तस्य अन्तः नास्ति।tadā tasya antaḥ nāsti.Then it has no end.
- आदित्य Adityaसत्यम्, एतदेव अनंतस्य अर्थः।satyam, etadeva anantasya arthaḥ.True, that is exactly the meaning of infinity.
