वृषभ
vṛṣabhá/ʋr̩.ʂɐ.bʱɐ́/
In Sanskrit, the word for ox is वृषभ (vṛṣabhá).
The term refers to an adult castrated male of cattle.
Meaning: an adult castrated male of cattle (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced as /ʋr̩.ʂɐ.bʱɐ́/. It has three syllables.
Did you know?
- The Sanskrit term वृषभ shares a common ancestor with the Latin word 'verrēs', which refers to a boar. This links the concept of an ox to ancient terms for male animals in general.
- In Hindu iconography, the god Shiva is often associated with वृषभ in the form of his divine mount, Nandi.
- In Sanskrit literature and poetry, वृषभ is often used as a metaphor for a 'leader' or the 'best' of a particular group.
Examples in context
- पशूनां एकः वृषभः अस्ति।Among the animals, there is one ox.
- वृषभः क्षेत्रं कर्षति।vṛṣabhaḥ kṣetraṃ karṣati.The ox plows the field.
- तत्र एकः वृषभः अस्ति।tatra ekaḥ vṛṣabhaḥ asti.There is an ox there.
- वृषभः खादितुं तृणं गच्छति।vṛṣabhaḥ khādituṃ tṛṇaṃ gacchati.The ox goes to eat grass.
Example conversation
A farmer and a visitor are standing near a field.
- मीरा Miraकिं तव वृषभः अस्ति?kiṃ tava vṛṣabhaḥ asti?Is that your ox?
- आदित्य Adityaआम्, अयं मम वृषभः।ām, ayaṃ mama vṛṣabhaḥ.Yes, this is my ox.
- मीरा Miraवृषभः अतीव बलवान् अस्ति।vṛṣabhaḥ atīva balavān asti.The ox is very strong.
- आदित्य Adityaधन्यवादः, अयं कार्यक्षमः अस्ति।dhanyavādaḥ, ayaṃ kāryakṣamaḥ asti.Thank you, he is efficient at work.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry वृषभ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries वृषभ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
