Etymology of Vayu/Vata — The Wind
Nirukta (Yaska) · 10 · Verse 10
niruktavayuvataetymologywindpranayaska
Sanskrit Original
वायुः कस्मात्? वायत्यग्नेः पुरस्तात् — पुरतो गच्छति। वातः कस्मात्? वाति — स्पन्दते वेगेन। प्राणो वा — सर्वेषां प्राणो भवति॥
vāyuḥ kasmāt? vāyaty agneḥ purastāt — purato gacchati | vātaḥ kasmāt? vāti — spandate vegena | prāṇo vā — sarveṣāṃ prāṇo bhavati ||
🤖 AI GeneratedAI Generated
Why is he called Vāyu? Because he moves before (puras) the fire — he precedes and fans Agni. Why Vāta? From "vā" (to blow) — he who moves with speed and force. He is also identified as the Prāṇa — the breath of all living beings.