### 📜 Overview
The Sanskrit word "वन्हिः" (vanhiḥ) primarily denotes "fire" or "flame." It encompasses various aspects of fire, both in a physical and symbolic context, representing both destruction and purification. This term is integral in Sanskrit literature, often reflected in spiritual and philosophical discussions.

### 🗣️ Pronunciation Guide
Van-hiḥ (stress on "hi")

### 🧠 Grammatical Profile
- **Word Type:** Noun
- **Gender:** Masculine
- **Root (धातु):** The root is "वन्" (van), which signifies actions related to burning or consuming.
- **Compound (समास):** The term "वन्हि" itself is not a compound but could appear in compounds where it signifies fire, for example, "वन्हितेन" meaning “by fire” or “with fire.”

### 📖 Meanings
1. **Primary & Core Meanings (from Dictionaries):**
   - Fire (फ़ायर) (Hindi)
  
2. **Extended or Figurative Meanings (from Dictionaries):**
   - The concept of fire can symbolize purification, sacrifice, or destruction in various texts, often illustrating the dual nature of fire as both a necessary force for life and a potentially destructive element.
  
3. **Additional Meanings:** 
   - In Vedic literature, fire (Agni) holds significant religious importance, symbolizing the divine messenger and mediating between humans and gods.

### 🏗️ Etymology & Word Formation
The word "वन्हिः" is derived from the root "वन्" (van), which means to burn or to shine. The suffix "ह" is typically used in the formation of nouns in Sanskrit. A detailed derivation might trace its conceptual roots back to the elemental forces and their representation in ancient texts.

### 🌐 Comparative Linguistics
- **Hindi:** आग (āg) - meaning 'fire', directly derived from the Sanskrit "वन्हिः."
- **Bengali:** আগুন (āgun) - this also means 'fire' and traces back to the same Sanskrit form.
- **Gujarati:** આગ (āg) - meaning 'fire', exhibiting a similar linguistic evolution from the Sanskrit term.

### ✍️ Usage Examples
1. **From Dictionary Entries:**
   - आग (āg) (Hindi) - “वन्हिः” translates to fire, highlighting its elemental characteristic.

2. **Additional Examples (General Knowledge):**
   - सन्तर्पयति वन्हिः। (santarpayati vanhiḥ.) - “The fire nourishes.” This example captures the nurturing quality of fire.
   - यजमानो अग्निं वन्हिं च पूजते। (yajamāno agniṃ vanhiṃ ca pūjate.) - “The officiant worships Fire and the Flame.” This illustrates the ritualistic significance of fire in Vedic ceremonies.

### 🖼️ Visual or Cultural Context
In Hindu rituals, "वन्हिः" represents Agni, the fire god, who is central to various ceremonies including sacrifices (Yajnas). The sacrificial fire is believed to carry offerings to the heavens, exemplifying the sacredness of fire in Hindu practices.

### ↔️ Dictionary Variations
In various dictionaries, "वन्हिः" may chiefly appear with the primary meaning of 'fire' without much variance in interpretation, though some enhance its significance by discussing its philosophical interpretations connected to transformation and renewal.

### 🔄 Synonyms, Antonyms & Related Words
- **Synonyms:** अग्नि (agni), ज्वाला (jvālā) - both refers to fire.
- **Antonyms:** जल (jala) - meaning water, which is often seen as a natural opposite to fire.
- **Related Words:** तप्त (tapt) - meaning 'heated'; तप (tapa) - meaning 'to heat or to burn'.

वन्हिः (vanhiH)

Hindi