Ananta
/əˈnɑːn.tə/noun
A Sanskrit term meaning infinite or endless, also used as a name and epithet in Hindu religious tradition.
Did you know?In Hindu mythology, Ananta—also called Shesha—is the endless serpent upon whom the god Vishnu is traditionally depicted reclining in cosmic waters.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ant- / *h₂ent-
“A reconstructed root associated with the front, boundary, or end”
Vedic Sanskrit
Sanskrit
anta
“End, boundary, limit”
Classical Sanskrit
Sanskrit
an-anta
“Not-ending; endless or infinite, formed with the negative prefix an-”
Classical Sanskrit
Sanskrit
Ananta
“The infinite one; a title associated with Vishnu and the cosmic serpent Shesha”
Modern English
English
Ananta
“A Sanskrit religious term, mythological name, and personal name used in English”