Vedaksh: Logo and Name

Vedaksh Innovation School Logo: Concept and Philosophy

Vedaksh Name : Meaning, Origin, and Philosophical Significance

(1) Vedaksh (vedākṣa, वेदाक्ष)

This is a known Sanskrit word and name. The word comes from the combination of the words ‘veda’ (वेद) and ‘akṣi’ (अक्षि) or ‘akṣa’ (अक्ष). We will understand both words one by one before coming to the compound word ‘vedākṣa’ (वेदाक्ष).

(1a) Veda (veda, वेद)

The word ‘veda’ (वेद) comes from the root ‘vid’ (विद्) and the suffix ‘ghañ’ (घञ्). There are five different roots in Sanskrit, which are all called ‘vid’ (विद्).

(1) The first root is “vida̐ sattāyām” (विदँ सत्तायाम्), which means ‘to exist’. The word ‘vidyamāna’ (विद्यमान), which means ‘existent’, comes from this root. Accordingly, ‘veda’ (वेद) means “one who [always] exists”. In the six schools of Hindu philosophy, the Veda-s are believed to be ‘apauruṣeya’ (“not created by humans”), hence uncreated or eternal, i.e., texts which have always existed.

(2) The second root is “vida̐ jñāne” (विदँ ज्ञाने), which means ‘to know’. The word ‘vidvān’ (विद्वान्), which means “wise, one who knows”, derives from this root. Accordingly, ‘veda’ (वेद) translates as “the means of knowing [Brahman]”.

(3) The third root is ‘vidḷ̐ lābhe’ (विदॢँ लाभे), which means ‘to obtain’ or ‘to possess’. The word ‘govinda’ (गोविन्द), which means “one who obtains or possesses cows”, i.e., Kṛṣṇa, comes from this root. Accordingly, ‘veda’ is explained as “the means of obtaining [liberation]”.

(4) The fourth root is “vida̐ vicāraṇe” (विदँ विचारणे), which means ‘to contemplate’. Accordingly, ‘veda’ (वेद) is to be understood as “the means of contemplation” or “where there is contemplation”.

(5) The fifth root is “vida̐ cetanākhyānanivāseṣu” (विदँ चेतनाख्याननिवासेषु), which means “to know, to explain, or to live”. Accordingly, ‘veda’ (वेद) can be explained as “the means of knowledge” (as explained before), “means/place of explanation [of philosophy]”, and “where [Brahman/knowledge] lives”.

As per the Apte Sanskrit-English Dictionary, the word ‘veda’ means:

• (1) “knowledge”
• (2) “sacred knowledge, holy learning, the scripture of the Hindus”
• (3) “bundle of Kuśa grass”
• (4) “name of Viṣṇu”
• (5) “a part of a sacrifice”
• (6) “exposition, comment, gloss”
• (7) “a metre”
• (8) “acquisition, gain, wealth”
• (9) “name of the number “four”“
• (10) “the ritual, Karma-kāṇda;”
• (11) “smṛiti literature”

The name ‘veda’ is found in the following nāmastotras—

‘Veda’ is the 127th name of Viṣṇu in the Viṣṇu-sahasranāma of the Mahābhārata’s Anuśāsanaparvan. Commenting on the name, Ādi Śaṅkara says Viṣṇu is called Veda as the Vedas are his form or because he makes others know (वेदरूपत्वाद्वेदः, वेदयतीति वा वेदः). Satyasandha Yatirāja gives the second explanation, वेदयतीति वेदः

(1b) Akshi (akṣi, अक्षि)

The word ‘akṣi’ (अक्षि) means the following as per the Apte Sanskrit-English Dictionary: (1) “the eye (which grasps or sees objects), changed to अक्ष at the end of Bahuvrīhi comp” (2) “the number two”. The word ‘akṣi’ changes to ‘akṣa’ at the end of the compound by the rule “bahuvrīhau sakthyakṣṇoḥ svāṅgāt ṣac” (5.4.113) in the Aṣṭādhyāyī of Pāṇini.

(1c) Aksha (akṣa, अक्ष)

This is a known masculine Sanskrit word. As per the Apte Sanskrit-English Dictionary, the word ‘akṣa’ (अक्ष) means:

• (1) “an axis, axle, pivot”
• (2) “axle-pole”
• (3) “the pole of a cart”
• (4) “a cart, a car, a wheel”
• (5) “the beam of a balance”
• (6) “terrestrial latitude”
• (7) “a die for playing with, cube”
• (8) “the seeds of which rosaries are made”
• (9) “a weight equal to 16 ‘māṣa’s and called ‘karṣa’”
• (10) “name of the plant Terminalia Belerica”
• (11) “a shrub producing the rosary seed”
• (12) “a serpent, hence a curve”
• (13) “name of Garuḍa”
• (14) “name a son of Rāvaṇa”
• (15) “the soul”
• (16) “knowledge (usually sacred)”
• (17) “law; a lawsuit; legal procedure”
• (18) “a person born blind”
• (19) “the lower part of the temples”
• (20) “the base of a column”
• (21) “the window-like part of a swing”
• (22) “gambling”

Besides these, the following are the meanings of the neuter word ‘akṣa’: (23) “an organ of sense”, (24) “the eye”, (25) “sea-salt”, (26) “blue vitriol”, (27) “direct knowledge or cognition”, (28) “a thunderbolt”, (29) “a diamond”. In the context of the word and name ‘vedākṣa’ (वेदाक्ष), the word ‘akṣa’ (अक्ष) can be understood as “an organ of sense.”

(1d) Vedaksh/Vedaksha (vedākṣa, वेदाक्ष)

Combined, the word ‘vedākṣa’ (वेदाक्ष) can be understood variously as “he whose eyes are the Vedas” or “he who has the eye (=knowledge or vision) of Vedas” or “he whose eyes are set on Vedas” or “he whose senses are the Vedas”.

The name ‘vedākṣa’ (वेदाक्ष) is found in the Sūrya-sahasranāma of the Rudrayāmala-Tantra (verse 45, name 364): “āvedanīyo vedākṣo mahādivyavapuḥ surāṭ” (आवेदनीयो वेदाक्षो महादिव्यवपुः सुराट्).

This name and half-verse can be seen here:

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