yudh

Yudh is a term meaning war or battle in Sanskrit and in several Indo-Aryan languages, including Hindi, Nepali, and Marathi. It is used to denote armed conflict between groups or nations and appears in classical as well as modern texts. Transliterations vary, with yuddha and yudha being common forms, while yudh is a shortened contemporary version.

Etymology and forms: Yudh derives from the Sanskrit word yuddha (युद्ध), from a verb root associated with fighting or clashing. In modern usage, the word is often written as yudh, yuddha, or yudha depending on language and transcription conventions.

Literary and cultural context: In Indian epic literature, yuddha describes the battles that drive the narratives, such as those in the Mahabharata and Ramayana. The Kurukshetra War, a central event in the Mahabharata, is one of the most famous examples of yuddha. The concept of dharma yuddha—righteous or morally guided war—appears in discussions of how war is fought and justified within these texts, though interpretations of justice vary.

Modern usage: Today, yudh remains the standard term for war in many Indian languages and is used in historical, political, and academic contexts as well as in media and literature. It denotes large-scale armed conflict or battlefield engagement and can be extended metaphorically to describe intense struggles in non-military contexts.

See also: Dharmic conflict, Mahabharata, Yuddha in Indian philosophy.