Author(s): Astha

Abstract: The language of Veda is indirect, suggestive, symbolic, metaphorical and full of figures of speech. In Veda, so many words have been used for water, as - Arṇḥ, Kshodyaḥ, Kshadyaḥ, Salilam, extras. These names have been given on quality basis. As we know the physical form of water in our day to day life but water has a different form also which is philosophical and called A̅paḥ. The common meaning of A̅paḥ is water but in Ṛgveda it is used in a symbolic form. As mentioned in the Ṛgveda, Aditi is the basic element and it is in trivargi̅ form (Impact, Community and Collective form)1. From the trivargi̅ form of Aditi, when three elements become active then A̅paḥ become the symbol of active state. So the meaning of A̅paḥ is the active state of basic element (mu̅ltattava). On this place if we take the meaning of A̅paḥ as water then the motif will disappear. The symbolic meaning of A̅paḥ derived from the root āplṛvyāptau (svādigaṇaparasmaipada).2 is fully appropriate for the universal principle. A̅paḥ is used in Veda in wide form. So let see its form in vedic sūktas.