Vana
/ˈvɑː.nə/noun
A Sanskrit loanword meaning a forest, woodland, or wilderness.
Did you know?In Hindu epic literature, vana is central to vanavāsa—“forest-dwelling”—the ritualized exile undertaken by figures such as the Pandavas and Rama.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*wónh₁-os
“Reconstructed noun associated with desire, delight, or a pleasing place; the deeper origin of Sanskrit vana is debated.”
Proto-Indo-Iranian
PII
*wánas
“A wooded or pleasant natural place; reconstructed ancestor of the Sanskrit form.”
Vedic Sanskrit
Sanskrit
vana
“Forest, woodland, or wilderness.”
Classical Sanskrit
Sanskrit
वन (vana)
“A forest or wild region, often contrasted with settled or cultivated land.”
Modern English
English
vana
“A specialized loanword used for a forest or wilderness, especially in discussions of Sanskrit, Hinduism, yoga, or Indian literature.”