Significance of Anantara
Anantara has different meanings in Vedanta and Dharmashastra. In Vedanta, Anantara signifies 'destruction-less', indicating that Brahman is imperishable and devoid of destruction. In contrast, Dharmashastra uses Anantara to describe sons born from specific caste unions, such as those with a Brahmana father and Kshatriya mother, which reflects particular social statuses within the caste system. Thus, Anantara encompasses both metaphysical concepts and social classifications in these philosophical and legal texts.
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Hindu concept of 'Anantara'
Anantara in Hinduism signifies both the offspring from specific caste unions, like a Brahmana and Kshatriya, and the concept of 'destruction-less' reflecting Brahman's eternal nature, devoid of counterparts or destruction experiences.
From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi
(1) Describes sons born from specific caste unions, such as a Brahmana father and a Kshatriya mother, reflecting designated social statuses.[1]
From: Mandukya Upanishad (Madhva commentary)
(1) A term meaning 'destruction-less', emphasizing that Brahman has no counterpart or experience of destruction.[2]
The concept of Anantara in local and regional sources
Anantara relates to the concept of immediacy, as it signifies a prompt occurrence that follows a specific event, emphasizing the notion of timeliness and succession in a sequence of events.
From: Sanskrit Words In Southeast Asian Languages
(1) This term signifies something that happens immediately, or subsequently, indicating a prompt occurrence following a specific point or event.[3]