Etymology of Dyaus — The Sky/Heaven Father
Nirukta (Yaska) · 10 · Verse 28
niruktadyausetymologyskyheavendyavaprithiviyaska
Sanskrit Original
द्यौः कस्मात्? द्योतते — दीप्यते, प्रकाशते। दिव् धातोः — दीप्तौ। देवस्य पिता द्यौः। द्यावापृथिवी — मातापितरौ जगतः॥
dyauḥ kasmāt? dyotate — dīpyate, prakāśate | div dhātoḥ — dīptau. devasya pitā dyauḥ | dyāvāpṛthivī — mātāpitarau jagataḥ ||
🤖 AI GeneratedAI Generated
Why is the sky called Dyauḥ? Because it shines (dyotate), is luminous, radiant. From the root "div" (to shine). Dyauḥ is the Father of the gods (Dyaus Pitā — cognate with Zeus Pater, Jupiter). Heaven and Earth (Dyāvāpṛthivī) are the universal Father and Mother.