Common misconceptions and misnomers
From INDOLOGY :: FAQ
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[edit] Wrong translations
[edit] ārtava
The word ārtava in ayurvedic texts is often translated as ovum. But there is no concept of ovum in early Sanskrit literature. The process of conception is understood variously, but in ayurveda it is the union of male semen and female menstrual blood, or ārtava. There is more to it than this, and for the full story see R. P. Das, The Origin of the Life of a Human Being (2003).
[edit] False friends
[edit] Skt sūpa and modern "soup"
The discussion in the INDOLOGY forum around 17-18 August 2011 established that "sūpa" is a variety of stews and soups, unconnected etymologically to the English "soup", Polish "zupa", etc.
--DW 11:22, 19 August 2011 (UTC)
[edit] Common pronunciation errors
[edit] How to pronounce Mahābhārata and Rāmāyana
The long vowels (ā) make heavy syllables, so are slightly accented: mahaabhaarata, raamaayana. Like this: sound file.
The common pronunciations, "mahaberaata" and "raamayaana" are wrong.
