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Sanskrit rájas

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 December 2009

Extract

An etymology long current among Indo-Europeanists runs as follows: Gk. “ the dark underworld ” ( “ dark, gloomy ”, “ black, dark ”), Goth, riqis “ darkness ” (riqizyan “ to become dark ”, riqizeins “dark”) Arm. erek “evening”, Skt. rajas “darkness, dimness; dark space, space; dark mist, mist, cloud, atmosphere; dust, dirt; pollen; arable land (as black); the darkening quality, passion, emotion; the second of the three gunas whose nature is active, urgent, and variable ”. As far as the first three languages are concerned the equation is simple and straightforward; but the Sanskrit word creates difficulty on account of the extreme variety of meanings which it is said to possess, and the semantic problems which this involves.

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Articles
Copyright
Copyright © School of Oriental and African Studies 1948

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References

page 646 note 1 iyaks-: Des. √aś with reduplication as in iyarti, Bartholomae, IF. 7.88. It is shortened to yaks when compounded with pra: 3.7.1, prá sarsrāte dirghám āyuh prayákse “ They move forward to obtain long life ”.

page 649 note 1 Bailey, H. W., SSOAS., XI, 776.Google Scholar