Sanskrit word for one

English	Sanskrit संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam)
I	अहम् (ahám)
you (singular)	त्वम् (tvám)
he	स (sá)
we	वयम् (vayám)
you (plural)	यूयम् (yūyám)
they	ते (té)
this	इदम् (idám)
that	तत् (tát)
here	अत्र (átra)
there	तत्र (tátra)
who	क (ká)
what	किम् (kím)
where	कुत्र (kútra)
when	कदा (kadā́)
how	कथम् (kathám)
not	न (ná)
all	सर्व (sárva)
many	बहु (bahú)
some	किञ्चिद् (kíñcid)
few	अल्प (álpa)
other	अन्य (anyá)
one	एक (éka)
two	द्वि (dví)
three	त्रि (trí)
four	चतुर् (cátur)
five	पञ्ज (páñcan)
big	महत् (mahát)
long	दीर्घ (dīrghá)
wide	उरु (urú)
thick	घन (ghaná)
heavy	गुरु (gurú)
small	अल्प (álpa)
short	ह्रस्व (hrasvá)
narrow	अंहु (aṃhú)
thin	तनु (tanú)
woman	स्त्री (strī́)
man (adult male)	पुरुष (púruṣa), नर (nára)
man (human being)	मनुष्य (manuṣyá)
child	बाल (bā́la), शिशु (śíśu)
wife	भार्या॑ (bhāryā́)
husband	पति (páti)
mother	मातृ (mā́tṛ)
father	पितृ (pitṛ́)
animal	पशु (páśu)
fish	मत्स्य (mátsya)
bird	वि (ví)
dog	श्वानः (śvánah)
louse	यूका (yūkā)
snake	सर्प (sarpá)
worm	कृमि (kṛmi)
tree	वृक्ष (vrkṣá)
forest	वन (vána)
stick	दण्ड (daṇḍá)
fruit	फल (phála)
seed	भीज (bī́ja)
leaf	पत्त्र (páttra)
root	मूल (mū́la)
bark (of a tree)	त्वच् (tvác)
flower	पुष्प (púṣpa)
grass	तृण (tṛṇa)
rope	रज्जु (rájju)
skin	चर्मन् (cárman)
meat	मांस (māṃsá)
blood	असृज् (ásṛj)
bone	अस्थि (ásthi)
fat (noun)	पीवस् (pī́vas), मेदस् (médas)
egg	अण्ड (aṇḍa)
horn	शृङ्ग (ṡṛṅgá)
tail	पुच्छ (púccha)
feather	पर्ण (parṇá)
hair	केश (kéśa)
head	शिरस् (śíras)
ear	कर्ण (kárṇa)
eye	अक्षि (ákṣi)
nose	नासिक (nā́sika)
mouth	मुख (múkha)
tooth	दत्/दन्त (dát/dánta)
tongue (organ)	जिह्व/जिह्वा (jihvá/jihvā́)
fingernail	नख (nakhá)
foot	पद (padá)
leg	जङ्घ (jáṅgha)
knee	जानु (jā́nu)
hand	हस्त (hásta), पाणि (pāṇí)
wing	पक्ष (pakṣá)
belly	उदर (udára)
guts	गुद (gudá)
neck	कण्ठ (kaṇṭhá)
back	पृष्ठ (pṛṣṭhá)
breast	स्तन (stána)
heart	हृद् (hṛd), हृदय (hṛdaya)
liver	यकृत् (yákṛt)
to drink	पा – पिबति (pā – píbati)
to eat	अद् – अत्ति (ad – átti)
to bite	दंश् – दंशति (daṃś – dáṃśati)
to suck	धे – धयति (dhe – dháyati)
to spit	ष्ठिव् – ष्ठिवति/ष्ठीव्यति (ṣṭiv – ṣṭívati/ṣṭhī́vyati)
to vomit	वम् – वमति (vam – vámati)
to blow	वा – वाति (vā – vā́ti)
to breathe	अन् – अनिति (an- ániti)
to laugh	स्मि – स्मयते (smi – smáyate), हस्- हसति (has – hásati)
to see	पश्- पश्यति (paś – páśyati; only in the present system), दृश् (dṛś; everywhere else)
to hear	श्रु- शृणोति (śru – śṛṇóti)
to know	ज्ञा- जानाति (jñā – jānā́ti)
to think	मन्- मनुते (man – manuté), चिन्त् – चिन्तयति (cint – cintayati)
to smell	घ्रा- जिघ्रति (ghrā – jíghrati)
to fear	भी – बिभेति (bhī – bibhéti)
to sleep	स्वप्- स्वपिति (svap – svápiti)
to live	जीव्- जीवति (jīv – jī́vati)
to die	मृ – म्रियते (mṛ – mriyáte)
to kill	हन् – हन्ति (han – hánti)
to fight	युध् – युध्यते (yudh – yúdhyate)
to hunt	मृग् – मृगयते (mṛga – mṛgáyate)
to hit	हन् – हन्ति (han – hánti), तड् – ताडयति (taḍ – tāḍáyati)
to cut	कृत् – कृन्तति (kṛt – kṛntáti)
to split	भिद्- भिनत्ति (bhid – bhinátti)
to stab	व्यध्- विधति (vyadh – vídhyati)
to scratch	लिख् – – लिखति (likh – likháti)
to dig	खन् – खनति (khan – khánati)
to swim	प्लु- प्लवते (plu – plávate)
to fly	पत् – पतति (pat – pátati)
to walk	इ – एति (i – éti), गम् – गच्छति (gam – gácchati)
to come	आगम् – आगच्छति (āgam – ā́gacchati)
to lie (as in a bed)	शी- शेते (śī – śéte)
to sit	सद् – सीदति (sad – sī́dati)
to stand	स्था – तिष्ठति (sthā – tíṣṭhati)
to turn (intransitive)	वृत् – वर्तते (vṛt – vártate)
to fall	पद् – पद्यते (pad – pádyate)
to give	दा – ददाति (dā – dádāti)
to hold	धृ – धरति (dhṛ – dhárati)
to squeeze	मृद् – मृद्नाति (mṛd – mṛdnā́ti)
to rub	घृष् – घर्षति (ghṛṣ – ghárṣati)
to wash	क्षल् – क्षालयति (kṣal – kṣā́layati)
to wipe	मृज् – मार्ष्टि (mṛj – mā́rṣṭi)
to pull	कृष् – कर्षति (kṛṣ – kárṣati)
to push	नुद् – नुदति (nud – nudáti)
to throw	क्षिप् – क्षिपति (kṣip – kṣipáti)
to tie	बन्ध् – बध्नाति (bandh – badhnā́ti)
to sew	सिव् – सीव्यति (siv – sī́vyati)
to count	गण् – गणयति (gaṇ – gáṇayati), कल् – कलते (kal – kálate)
to say	वच् – वक्ति (vac – vákti)
to sing	गै- गायति (gāi – gā́yati )
to play	दिव् – दीव्यति (div – dī́vyati)
to float	प्लु – प्लवते (plu – plávate)
to flow	सृ – सरति (sṛ – sárati), क्षर् – क्षरति (kṣar -kṣárati)
to freeze	श्यै – शीयते (śyāi – śī́yate)
to swell	श्वि – श्वयति (śvi – śváyati)
sun	सूर्य (sū́rya)
moon	मास (mā́sa), चन्द्रमस् (candramas), चन्द्र (candra)
star	नक्षत्र (nákshatra), स्तृ (stṛ)
water	जल (jalá), वारि (vā́ri)
rain	वर्ष (varṣá)
river	नदी (nadī́)
lake	सरस् (sáras)
sea	उदधि (udadhí)
salt	लवण (lavaṇá)
stone	अश्मन् (aśman)
sand	पांसु (pāṃsú), शिकता (síkatā)
dust	रेणु (reṇú)
earth	क्षम् (kṣám), पृथिवी (pṛithivī́)
cloud	नभस् (nábhas), मेघ (meghá)
fog	मिह् (míh)
sky	आकाश (ā́kā́śa)
wind	वायु (vāyú), वात (vā́ta)
snow	हिम (himá), तुषार (tuṣāra), तुहिन (tuhina)
ice	हिम (himá)
smoke	धूम (dhūmá)
fire	अग्नि (agní)
ash	आस (ā́sa)
to burn	दहति (dahati)
road	अध्वन् (ádhvan), मार्ग (mārga), रथ्या (rathyā)
mountain	गिरि (girí), पर्वत (párvata)
red	रक्त (rakta), रोहित (róhita)
green	हरित् (harít)/हरित (harita), पालााश (pā́lāśa)/पलााश (palāśa)
yellow	पीत (pīta)/पीतल (pītala)
white	श्वेत (śvetá)
black	कृष्ण (kṛṣṇá)
night	रात्र (rātrá)
day	द्यु (dyú), अहर् (áhar)
year	वर्ष (varṣá), संवत्सर (saṃvatsara)/संवत् (saṃvat)
warm	तप्त (taptá), घर्म (gharmá)
cold	शीत (śītá)
full	पूर्ण (pūrṇá)
new	नव (náva), नूतन (nū́tana)
old	जीर्ण (jīrṇá), वृद्ध (vr̥ddhá)
good	वसु (vásu), भद्र (bhadrá)
bad	पाप (pāpá)
rotten	पूति (pū́ti)
dirty	मलिन (malina), समल (samala)
straight	ऋजु (r̥jú)
round	वृत्त (vr̥ttá), वर्तुल (vartula)
sharp (as a knife)	तीक्ष्ण (tīkṣṇá)
dull (as a knife)	कुण्ठ (kuṇṭha)
smooth	श्लक्ष्ण (ślakṣṇá), स्निग्ध (snigdhá)
wet	आर्द्र (ārdrá), क्लिन्न (klinná)
dry	शुष्क (śúṣka)
correct	शुद्ध (śuddhá), सत्य (satyá)
near	नेद (neda, adj.), प्रति (prati, prep.)
far	दूर (dūrá)
right	दक्षिण (dákṣiṇa)

Language

Mary McMahon

Last Modified Date: April 01, 2023

Sanskrit is one of the oldest known Indic languages, with examples of Vedic Sanskrit dating back to approximately 1500 BCE and possibly even earlier eras which are difficult to determine because the language was spoken and sung long before it was written. Indic languages, also known as Indo-Aryan languages, are a large and diverse branch of the Indo-European language family, and Sanskrit is one of the most famous and culturally important of these languages.

The word “Sanskrit” is translated in several different ways, as “complete,” “perfect,” or “pulled together.” The origins of this language appear to lie in vulgar dialects which were organized and codified, first into Vedic Sanskrit and later into a more modern form around 500 BCE. For Hindus, Sanskrit is tremendously important because the Vedas and other Hindu religious texts are in this language, and some Buddhist religious texts are in Sanskrit as well.

This language is the classical language of Ancient India. It was used by all refined and cultured members of society, and continues to be used today in religious liturgy and certain types of high discourse, much like Classical Arabic in the Middle East. Several Indian languages including Bengali and Hindi are descended from Sanskrit, and while the language is not widely spoken in India today, there have been some movements to revive spoken forms, and the influences of this language can be seen on many levels of Indian culture and across Southeast Asia.

Several different writing systems are used for Sanskrit, with one of the most common being Devanagari, partly because it was popularized in the West. In addition to Devanagari, a number of Southeast Asian scripts and the Roman alphabet are utilized for writing in this language. The use of many different scripts reflects the different writing systems used in the region, with residents of various areas using the scripts they are most familiar and comfortable with.

Archaeologists who work in Southeast Asia and India may study this language so that they can gain a deeper understanding of the cultures they study. The language is also studied by historians, religious officiants, and students of religion. Like other classical languages such as Greek and Latin, knowledge of Sanskrit can be critical for people who want to read historic texts in the original language, and for people who want to study language, culture, and religion. A number of colleges and universities all over the world offer training in this language to interested students.

Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the
exciting challenge of being a LanguageHumanities researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and
spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the
exciting challenge of being a LanguageHumanities researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and
spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

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While practicing yoga or when attending a yoga class, do the names of the asanas or the commonly used terms sound unusual to you? You’re definitely not alone.

Most yogis have gone through a stage where they struggled with understanding, memorizing, and pronouncing the Sanskrit words that define yoga.

You might wonder why you even have to bother learning a strange language just to do a “few stretches” when you can easily get by with the translated terminologies. True, saying “Cobra Pose” is far less complicated than attempting to pronounce “Bhujangasana“, but by avoiding Sanskrit, you’re depriving yourself of the true essence of yoga.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the indispensable role Sanskrit plays in yoga practice. We will also be covering the fundamental Sanskrit names and words every yogi must know.

Where Does the Sanskrit Language Come From?

Let’s first take a brief look at the origin of Sanskrit or ‘Samskrt’ (संस्कृत), which is a classical language like Greek, Latin, and Persian.

Did you know that Sanskrit is one of the oldest languages in the world with substantial documentation? Its roots can be traced back to 1700-1200 BCE. Sanskrit is the ancient language of Hinduism and has been the sacred language of Buddhism and Jainism.

Origin

We can trace Sanskrit’s linguistic history to the Proto-Indo-European languages, i.e., the people who spoke Indo-Iranian or Indo-Aryan languages. It’s also connected to the Indo-European language family; a group of hundreds of dialects and languages, native to southern and western Eurasia.

Literature

Sanskrit literature was either sung or spoken in the earlier times. For centuries the hymns, legends, incantations, the philosophical guidance for the priests, the predictions by seers, etc. were preserved and transferred orally from one generation to another.

The Devanagari script used to write the Sanskrit alphabet originated around the 7th century BCE. This script is also used to write other languages like Prakrit, Hindi, Nepali, and Marathi. Only those belonging to royalty and the priests were allowed access to learn and use Sanskrit, the rest of the society spoke Prakrit, the vernacular version of Sanskrit.

Here’s a list of some of the oldest Sanskrit classics archived in history:

• Rig Veda: The earliest forms of documentation of Sanskrit is in the Rig Veda—compiled around 1500-500 BCE—one of the four ancient Hindu scriptures.
• Bhagavat Purana: Another popular example of ancient Sanskirt literature is the Bhagavata Purana, which literally translates to “Ancient Stories of God.” It’s one of the 18 great texts in Hinduism. Bhagavata Purana promotes the devotion towards Lord Krishna, who is known to be an avatar (incarnation) of Lord Vishnu, the protector of the universe.
• Bhagavat Gita: The song of the lord/God; the ancient comprehensive guide to yoga embedded in Mahabharata comprising the teachings of Lord Krishna to Arjuna about karma yoga (the path of selfless action), bhakti yoga (the spiritual pathway of devotion), and samkhya yoga (the path of identifying the principles of existence). According to Mahabharata, the entire Bhagavad Gita was recited on the battlefield of Kurukshetra (Jyotisar, Haryana), more than 3500 years ago.
• Ashtadhyayi: Around 500 BCE, the Sanskrit scholar Panini put together Ashtadhyayi; a treatise for standardizing the grammar of Vedic Sanskrit. This included 3,959 rules of morphology, syntax, and semantics; which included about 1700 basic elements like alphabets, vowels, consonants, nouns, and verbs. Through Ashtadhyayi, Panini paved the way for classical Sanskrit.
• Yoga Sutras: Compiled by sage Patanjali between 500BCE and AD400, the yoga sutras are a collection of Sanskrit aphorisms regarding the theory and practice of yoga. These sutras and the Upanishads are still prominent today and have been translated into Arabic, Persian, and numerous West-Germanic languages.

Sanskrit was the predominant language of the Indian subcontinent until its decline around the 13th century. Though Hindi was adopted as the official language of India in 1965, Sanskrit is still in use today in the Hindu prayers and rituals, Buddhist chants, and Jain literature. It is estimated that at least 46% of the world population speak some version of Indo-European languages.

How Are Sanskrit and Yoga Connected?

To start off with, the origin of yoga can be traced back to 5000 years, and its first mention is in Rig Veda, which is documented in Sanskrit. As I mentioned earlier, many ancient yoga texts like Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras were originally written in Sanskrit. Direct connection right there! But let’s go on…

Aside from the clear connection with the ancient yoga texts, a major factor that deems this language irreplaceable in yoga and other sacred rituals is its divine sound quality. Sanskrit not only provides us with a spiritually precise vocabulary but also a unique fluidity and harmony of vibrations.

Trying to practice yoga, let alone master it without Sanskrit is like learning to swim without water. To embrace yoga in its entirety, yogis need to understand the deep, rich, philosophy behind it. And Sanskrit is the language through which this philosophy pulsates, lives, and thrives.

Though the importance of learning Sanskrit alongside yoga is a never-ending debate in the West, seasoned practitioners unanimously agree that understanding Sanskrit will enable yogis to embrace the mystical and transcendent nature of yoga completely. Transferred orally for thousands of years, every Sanskrit word is believed to have a consciousness, a trace of magic; understanding and pronouncing these words will awaken enlightened consciousness within ourselves.

To help you out with this learning process, I’ve compiled this helpful Sanskrit dictionary for you with yoga-related Sanskrit terms, beautiful Sanskrit words, and other commonly used Sanskrit words. For each word, I’ve provided pronunciation guides, original meaning, English translation, and interesting facts.

Now you will never have to rush to Google each time you come across a new Sanskrit word. You will have it all here!

Ready to jump into this journey of learning Sanskrit? Let’s get into it.

Top 5 Sanskrit Words Every Yogi Should Know

Let’s start slow. Learning a new language takes time and effort, especially if it is a language as ancient and complicated as Sanskrit. Some Sanskrit words are trickier to pronounce than others. It is always recommended to stick to the basics first and then work your way up. Here are 5 Sanskrit words that will help you stay afloat as you dive into the vast ocean of yoga vocabulary.

Want to learn more about each yoga posture/asana? Here is Uplifted’s detailed Yoga Pose Dictionary.

You Might Also Like: 10 Yoga Terms That Every Yogi Must Know

20 Beautiful Words in Sanskrit You’ll Want to Know

Here are 20 of my favorite Sanskrit words. Each of them has a profound meaning and a poetic ring to it.

1. Agni (अग्नि) – Fire

Did you know that Fire is considered a Vedic god in Hinduism? He is believed to have two faces according to scriptures—one kind and another spiteful. He is also the god of the sun and lightning.

2. Ananda (आनन्द) – Bliss

Ananda is the Sanskrit word that symbolizes bliss, which according to Indian philosophy is a vital attribute of the supreme being—Brahman—the highest state of self. This bliss is characterized by the emotion one feels when they are finally content with who they are and free from the limitations of the physical body.

3. Asha (आशा) – Hope

The term Asha was derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Asa’ which stands for hope, desire, or wish. Asha is a popular female name in India. According to Hindu mythology, Asha was the wife of a Vasu (demigod).

4. Atman (आत्मन्) – The Universal Self

Atman is the basic concept upon which all Hindu scriptures, epics, and legends revolve. It represents our soul; our essential being; the universal self which either transmigrates into a new life (reincarnation) or is released after death.

5. Balika (बालिका) – Girl

Balika is the Sanskrit term for ‘girl’ or ‘young woman’. Hindi too uses the same word to refer to young women. According to legends, Balika is also the name of a serpent-demon.

6. Balak (बालक‎) – Boy

Balak is the Sanskrit equivalent of a ‘boy’. This word is used to refer to a young boy or a male pupil.

7. Bhakti (भक्ति) – Devotion

When literally translated to English, bhakti means ‘devotion’. It can also mean love. This is a state of mind where a devotee surrenders themselves completely to the divine being, without any questions or hesitation.

8. Guru (गुरु) – Teacher

This is a term many of you will be already familiar with, especially if you are attending yoga classes where you have to address your yoga teacher as a ‘Guru’. Guru is Sanskrit for ‘Teacher’. It also means guide, mentor, expert, or master. According to Indian traditions, a teacher is the equivalent of God.

9. Jnana (ज्ञान) – Spiritual Knowledge

Jnana is the ultimate goal every yogi is in pursuit of. It refers to the spiritual knowledge one gains through self-enlightenment, the knowledge that one is eternally bound to the divine, rather than the knowledge about the world (Vijnana or general knowledge) which cannot fulfill the soul.

9. Karma (कर्म) – The Cause And Effect Of Our Actions

Here’s another word we all use a lot. While we often tend to talk about Karma being a b***h, the true meaning of karma is ‘the cause and effect of our actions’. Meaning, we are solely responsible for our karma.

10. Maya (माया) – An Illusion

All of us will know at least one ‘Maya’ from our friend circle. It is a popular name not just in India, but across the world. Do you know the true meaning of this word? According to Hindu philosophy, Maya refers to God’s power to make humans believe in what is not real; an ‘illusion’.

11. Moksha (मोक्ष) – The Final Enlightenment

Hindu mythology believes that our body is just a temple for our soul, which is the true essence of our innermost self. Once our bodies die, our souls either move on to a new life or are released to be one with God. This ‘release’ is called Moksha.

This is a concept that is also followed in Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. Moksha is the ultimate freeing of the soul; the final enlightenment.

12. Prajna (प्रज्ञा) – Wisdom

The English meaning of Prajna is ‘wisdom’. But not just any wisdom—it is the highest, purest, most powerful form of knowledge, understanding, and intelligence. This level of enlightenment is above the knowledge gained from education, reasoning, and experience.

13. Prakriti (प्रकृति) – THe Primal Nature of a Being

The word Prakriti refers to the primal nature of a being or a thing. It symbolizes the original state at which a person, animal, or thing came into existence. This term has been derived from the Sanskrit word ‘pra’, meaning ‘beginning’ and ‘kriti’, meaning ‘creation’.

14. Prana (प्राण) – Life Force

Prana is the life force that flows through every being. It has been derived from the Sanskrit meaning of ‘breath’, which pervades reality on all levels, including non-living objects.

The concept of prana or the ‘vital life force energy’ exists in multiple cultures across the world. It is called Ki in Japan, Qi or Chi in China, and Mana in Polynesia. It is known as the Holy Trinity in Christianity.

15. Pratyahara (प्रत्याहार) – Withdrawal of Senses

The literal English meaning of pratyahara is ‘withdrawal of senses’. Yoga trains people to let go of their materialistic wants and binding emotions, helping them reach a stage of complete harmony, where they have complete control over their senses.

It has been derived from the Sanskrit words, prati, meaning ‘against’ and ahara, meaning ‘food’ (for your body or soul). It is a state of mind when one has complete power over reality and self, free from all kinds of external influences.

16. Rachnatmak (रचनात्मक) – Great Creativity

Next time someone displays great creativity, you can call them, “Rachnatmak”. When translated to English, rachnatmak would mean the ability to imagine, innovate, and create original ideas and unique results, which are pleasing to the eye, soul, or both.

17. Satya (सत्य) – Truthfulness

Satya means truthfulness in English. Though truthfulness is a virtue across the world, it is one of the major principles of Indian religions, referring to the path of truthfulness or purity one should tread on—be it their thoughts, intentions, speech, or actions. In Sanskrit, the word sat stands for ‘true essence, ‘true nature’, ‘fact’, ‘reality’, or ‘that which exists’.

18. Sukha (सुख) – Happiness

Sukha means happiness, comfort, joy, or pleasure in Sanskrit. According to the ancient scriptures, sukha connoted a state of mind where one experiences a pure, authentic state of happiness as opposed to the transient pleasures of the world around them.

19. Sundar (सुन्दर) – Beautiful or Attractive

Sundar is a Sanskrit adjective used to describe beauty. It describes a person or thing as being attractive, good, nice, pretty, handsome, or beautiful. It also happens to be a popular male Indian name among speakers of Indo-Aryan languages.

10 English Words With Sanskrit Origin

Being one of the ancient Indo-Aryan languages in the world, many linguists see Sanskrit as the “Mother of most Languages” though this view is varied.

Its geographical reach extends to neighboring countries like China, Korea, Japan, Tibet, as well as countries in South Asia, South East Asia, Europe, and America. Some of these languages include Hindi, Urdu, Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, and Malay. The Sanskrit language is even related to Greek, Latin, and English with stark similarities in grammar, script, and phonetics.

Here are a few interesting examples of English words with Sanskrit roots, derived from Hindi, Greek, Latin, and Persian.

• Avatar, Sanskrit Origin: Avatara (Incarnation of the supreme being on Earth) (H)
• Calendar, Sanskrit Origin: Kaal (Time) (L)
• Cow, Sanskrit Origin: Gau (Cattle, ox) (G)
• Dental, Sanskrit Origin: Danta (Teeth) (L)
• Gene, Sanskrit Origin: Jan (Generation) (G)
• Jungle, Sanskrit Origin: Jangala (Uncultivated land) (H)
• Lilac, Sanskrit Origin: Nila (Dark blue) (P)
• Serpent, Sanskrit Origin: Sarpa (Snake) (L)
• Smile, Sanskrit Origin: Smi (Fully blossomed, expanded) (L)
• Voice, Sanskrit Origin: Vachas (Speech) (L)

80 Other Common Sanskrit Words Used in Yoga

Here’s a comprehensive list of the other common Sanskrit words that will help deepen and strengthen your yoga practice and meditation.

A

• Abhyasa (अभ्यास): Practice. It refers to the practice of discipline to achieve tranquility and self-enlightenment.
• Acharya/Ācārya (आचार्य): A Hindu religious teacher well-versed in scriptures and Vedas. In general, it signifies any knowledgeable person who imparts discipline.
• Adho (अधः): Downward; derived from the Sanskrit word adhas which means ‘down’ or ‘below’. (Like in the yoga pose downward dog.)
• Advaita (अद्वैत): The belief and teaching according to the Upanishads that there is only a single reality in this universe, i.e., the Atman or the Brahman.
• Ahamkara (अहंकार): The ‘individuality’ or the ‘ego’; the identification or attachment with one’s self or ego. Ahamkara is derived from the Sanskrit word aham, meaning ‘I’ and kāra, meaning ‘to do’ or ‘any created thing’. According to the teachings of Vedas, ahamkara is something you need to transcend to attain enlightenment.
• Ahimsa (अहिंसा): Non-violence; ahimsa is the primary yama of the five yamas which promotes compassion and non-harming. It is derived from the Sanskrit word hims, which means to strike, and the prefix ‘a’, which connotes the opposite of the action; just like ‘safe’ and ‘unsafe’.
• Akasha (आकाश): The ether or space, which is one of the five elements out of which the universe was composed. Akasha is also used to signify the space within ourselves; our inner peace. In Hindi, it also means ‘sky’.
• Amrita/Amrit (अमृत): Immortality; often referred to as the ambrosia or nectar from the ancient Hindu scriptures that granted immortality to anyone who consumed it. In yoga, Amrit signifies the immortal spirit that lives inside the vessel that is your body. When activated through meditation and asanas, this nectar oozes from the crown chakra, rejuvenating your spirit and transforming your body into a divine temple.
• Anga (अङ्ग): Limb; a basic segment of the yogic path, a part of the body. Anga is also the name of a historical kingdom that belonged to the Indian subcontinent between 1100-500 BCE.
• Arjuna (अर्जुन): Silver or bright, Arjuna was one of the five Pandava princes from the Hindu epic Mahabharatha. He was an excellent archer and the disciple of Lord Krishna—their relationship signifies the eternal bond between the soul and the universe.
• Ashrama (आश्रम): Hermitage or retreat; a stage of life when a man or woman renounces all their materialistic possessions and social ties to retreat into the forest to live out the rest of their days in prayer and meditation, amidst the simplicity of Mother Nature.
• Ashtanga Yoga (अष्टाङ्गयोग):Ashtanga Yoga signifies the eight-limbed union or the eightfold yoga established by Patanjali. Asht means ‘eight’ and Anga means ‘limb’. The eight limbs help you attain moksha or kaivalya (liberation). Those limbs include:
  • Yama (moral discipline)
  • Niyama (self-control)
  • Asana (seat/posture)
  • Pranayama (breath regulation)
  • Pratyahara (withdrawal of senses)
  • Dharana (focus/concentration)
  • Dhyana (meditation)
  • Samadhi (ecstasy)
• Asmita (अस्मिता): The ‘I’ or the ‘individuality’; a concept that exists in Ashtanga yoga, similar to ahamkara.
• Avdhuta (अवधूत): Sage, monk; a person who has shed all worldly comforts and personal ties.
• Avidya (अविद्या): Ignorance; the opposite of vidya, which means knowledge. According to the ancient scriptures, ignorance is considered the root cause of all our suffering.
• Ayurveda (आयुर्वेद): Life science; the ancient Indian art and science of healing using natural resources. This siddha (perfected) line of medicine has originated from South India, predominantly, Kerala.

B

• Bandha (बन्ध): Bondage, bond, tie; the undeniable fact that every human is bound by the invisible ties of ignorance (avidya) and bhoutik (materialistic) desires. One can break free only with the divine power of jnana (knowledge).
• Bhakta (भक्त): Follower, devotee; a disciple who practices Bhakti yoga. It is also used to describe any person who believes, worships, or practices a principle/prayer in regard to the divine being.
• Bhakti Sutra (भक्तिसूत्र): Sayings, aphorisms of devotion; also known as Narada Bhakti Sutra, it is a renowned sutra (collection of sayings) within the Hindu tradition, believed to be narrated by the divine Narada Muni (Sage Narada) who used to travel across spiritual realms to deliver news across gods and demigods and impart wisdom to humans.
• Bhakti Yoga (भक्तियोग): Bhakti Yoga is the yoga of devotion that is focused on reaching out to the uttama purusha (the supreme being) with the transcendental capacity of the human mind and the enlightening power of yoga. It is one of the four main branches of yoga.
• Bhavana (भावना): Development, cultivation, imagination; It is a meditation technique exercised in yoga where the yogi visualizes a character—love, compassion, peace—turning into light or energy of the divine, thus bringing them closer to enlightenment and liberation.
• Bindu (बिंदु): Point, seed, dot; the potent point on the forehead that is believed to be where the third eye is situated. It is the point where all energies are focused.
• Bodhi (बोधि): An enlightened person; someone who has awakened to the reality and is content with it. Also, another name for Buddha.
• Brahma (ब्रह्मा): The creator; the god that has created everything in this universe according to the first tatva (principle) which describes how the world and everything in it emerged out of the divine reality.
• Brahmacharya (ब्रह्मचर्य): Celibacy, abstinence; Brahmacharya can be literally interpreted as following the ultimate reality, the Brahman, by abstaining from worldly pleasures, especially those of the flesh.
• Brahman (ब्रह्मन्): The ultimate reality; the atman or parama purusha (divine creator), who has shaped the universe and everything within it.
• Brahmana (ब्राह्मण): A Brahmin; originally an occupational class that comprised of priests, which used to be the highest-ranking distinction in the ancient Indian society. These occupations of scholars/priests, rulers/warriors, merchants, and laborers eventually transformed to the four major Hindu castes—Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras respectively.
• Buddha (बुद्ध ): The one who has awakened; a person who has attained enlightenment and inner peace. Buddha also refers to Gauthama Buddha, the revered philosopher, scholar, and founder of Buddhism.
• Buddhi (बुद्धि): Conscious; awake, aware; a state of awareness where your mind attains a higher level of knowledge, wisdom, and intelligence by understanding the divine reality.

C

• Chakra (चक्र): A Chakra is a wheel or energetic center; the metaphorical wheels or centers of energy that exist in and around our subtle body. Mainstream yoga recognizes seven chakras in the human body:
  • Muladhara (Root Chakra)- Location: Pelvis or perineum, Significance: Trust
  • Svadhisthana (Sacral chakra)- Location: At the tailbone, Significance: Creativity, Sexuality
  • Manipura (Solar Plexus chakra)- Location: On the spine, at the level of the navel, Significance: Wisdom, Power
  • Anahata (Heart chakra) – Location: On the spine, at the level of the heart, Significance: Healing, Love
  • Vishuddha (Throat chakra)- Location: On the spine, at the level of the throat, Significance: Communication
  • Ajna (Third eye chakra)- Location: Center of the forehead, Significance: Awareness
  • Sahasrara (Crown chakra)- Location: Crown of the head, Significance: Spirituality
• Cin-mudra (चिन्मुद्रा): Seal of consciousness; a common mudra (hand gesture) used during meditation by bringing the index finger towards the thumb, keeping the remaining fingers open, and resting the palms on the knees.
• Chit/Citt (चित् ): Divine consciousness; the awareness of the atman or brahman, awakening to the ultimate reality.
• Chitta/Citta (चित्त): The mind; the human mind which is conscious before attaining Chit or Citt (divine consciousness).

D

• Darshana (दर्शन): Seeing, viewing; literally and metaphorically speaking. Darshana is the way of viewing the world. There are six worldly views according to the Hindu philosophy, out of which, Yoga Darshana comprises the sutras (sayings) of Patanjali.
• Deva (देव): God, male deity; literally translated as ‘he who is shining’. There are many devas in Indian mythology, such as Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Krishna, Indra, etc.
• Devi (देवी): Goddess, female deity; literally translated as ‘she who is shining’. Some of the Indian goddesses include Saraswati, Parvati, Lakshmi, and Kaali.
• Dharana (धारणा ): Focus, holding; the sixth anga (limb) of ashtanga yoga that is the practice of steadying the mind, preparing it for the seventh limb, which is dhyana (meditation).
• Dharma (धर्म): Duty, purpose, virtue; Dharma is the opposite of Karma. It signifies the sense of righteousness or the spiritual pathways one is supposed to follow to uphold truth and attain yogic healing.
• Dhyana (ध्याना): Meditation; the seventh anga (limb) of ashtanga yoga that calms that unites the mind, body, and soul with tranquility, inner peace, and self-awareness.
• Diksha (दीक्षा): Initiation, commencement, inception; an act of inducing a disciple into yoga practice, predominantly kriya yoga.
• Drishti (दृष्टि): Vision, sight; Drishti is a focused gaze at a point at the tip of the nose or between the eyebrows to steady the mind during meditation.
• Dukha (दुख): Sorrow, sadness, discomfort; the suffering endured by humans throughout their lives until they get moksha (divine relief) from the shackles of the body. The darkness of Dukha can be fought only with the light of jnana (knowledge) and pratyahara (sensory restraint).

E

• Eka (एक): One; often used in yoga to specify the movement of a single limb. For example, Eka Pada Rajakapotasana means one-leg pigeon pose.

G

• Gayatri mantra (गायत्रीमंत्र): A universal prayer and a Vedi mantra chanted in the morning, particularly during sunrise. Learn more about this mantra here.
• Guna (गुण): Quality; guna refers to the good qualities and virtues of a human being.

H

• Hatha ( हठ): The word Hatha is made of ‘ha’ which means the Sun and ‘tha’, which means the moon. When practicing Hatha yoga, both the Sun and Moon energies within you get balanced, thus cleansing and energizing your body.
• Hatha Yoga (हठयोग): Forceful yoga; an umbrella term used for any type of yoga that involves physical movement, postures, and breath control. Learn more about Hatha Yoga.

I

• Ida nadi (इडानाडि): Moon channel; Ida Nadi symbolizes the lunar energy channel in your body that is on the left (ida) side of Sushumna Nadi; the central energy channel linked with your parasympathetic nervous system.
• Ishvara (ईश्वर): Lord, God; refers either to Brahma, the creator of the universe, or a transcendental being, according to Patanjali.
• ISHTA Yoga (इष्टयोग): A blended yoga style of the ancient and contemporary schools. ISHTA is the acronym for the ‘Integrated Science of Hatha, Tantra, and Ayurveda’.

J

• Jnana Yoga (ज्ञानयोग): Yoga of knowledge; one of the four main branches of yoga that helps you tread a path of intellect and wisdom through the power of meditation.
• Japa (जप): Chanting, muttering; the recitation of a prayer.
• Jivatman/Jiva-atman (जीवात्मन्): The self; the individual consciousness, which is the opposite of paramatman (the ultimate self).

K

• Karma Yoga (कर्मयोग): Yoga of action; one of the four main branches of yoga that focuses on doing good for others through service and selfless actions.
• Kriya (क्रिया): Action; refers to a completed effort or physical action.
• Kriya Yoga (क्रियायोग): Kriya Yoga is one of the simpler yoga styles involving pranayama, meditation, and simple living.
• Kundalini Shakti (कुण्डलिनी शक्ति): Coiled power; Kundalini shakti refers to the serpent energy or spirit that lays dormant in the Muladhara chakra (root chakra).

L

• Laya Yoga (लययोग): An advanced form of Tantric yoga that involves awakening the kundalini shakti to dissolve all the chakras into one.
• Linga (लिङ्ग): Sign, symbol; the phallus symbol believed to be an abstract representation of Lord Shiva.

M

• Manas (मनस् ): Mind; the lower level of consciousness and intelligence that is aware of vijnana (worldly knowledge) as opposed to jnana (spiritual wisdom).
• Mantra (मंत्र): Chant; the repeated utterance of a prayer or a sacred word like om. A mantra helps you focus during mediation and connect on a deeper level with the ultimate being.
• Marman (मर्मन्): Spot; a significant bindu (spot) in the body where energy is either accumulated or blocked.
• Mudra (मुद्रा): Hand gesture, seal; the various positions in which you arrange your hands and fingers during yoga practice or meditation.

N

• Nadi (नाडि): Tube, channel; the energy channels which flow through your body, namely, Ida Nadi (left channel), Sushumna Nadi (central channel), and Pingala Nadi (right channel).
• Niyama (नियम): Observances; the second limb that belongs to Patanjali’s eightfold path for enlightenment, which dictates the rules for living right. The five niyamas are saucha (purity), santosha (contentment), tapas (self-discipline), Svadhyaya (self-study), and ishvara pranidhana (surrendering to the divine).

O

• Ojas (ओजस् ): Energy, vitality; the raw, pure energy produced by the practice of discipline, especially brahmacharya (celibacy).

P

• Paramatman (परमात्मन्): The ultimate self; the supreme, transcendental self that represents the ultimate reality. Paramatman is revealed to you through the practice of yoga.
• Pingala Nadi (पिङ्गलानाडि): The solar energy channel in your body that is on the right side of Sushumna Nadi; the central energy channel which flows up your spinal column, through all the seven chakras.
• Pranayama (प्राणायाम): Breath control, breath expansion; pranayama is one of the basic and vital breathing exercises which acts as a preparatory practice for other asanas. It can be interpreted in two ways: controlling your breath or letting your breath control you.
  1. Prana (life force energy) + Yama (control)
  2. Parana (life force energy) + Ayama (expansion)

R

• Raja yoga (राजयोग): Royal yoga; one of the four main branches of yoga, Raja yoga helps you develop all the qualities of a king by combining Bhakti yoga, Jnana yoga, and Karma yoga.

S

• Samadhi (समाधि): Together, complete; samadhi is the final step in yoga, as per Patanjali’s Yoga sutras. It can be defined as the pinnacle of inner peace and self-awareness, which allows the yogi to unite with the universal consciousness.
• Sanyasin (सन्न्यासिन्): Sage, monk; someone who has renounced all worldly comforts and desires.
• Shakti (शक्ति): Power; the feminine aspect of the ultimate reality.
• Shiva (शिव): Benign, kind, divine; the Hindu god of destruction and restoration.
• Sushumna Nadi (सुषुम्नानाडि): Main central channel; the channel of energy that runs through the center of your spine. The purpose of Hatha yoga is to redirect the Ha/Pingala/Solar energy and Tha/Ida/Lunar energy to the Sushumna Nadi so you attain the deepest form of mediation and bliss.
• Swapna (स्वप्न): Dream; Puranas (ancient history) refer to swapna as a dream, which could be true-sensed, rich-sensed, or senseless.

T

• Tantra (तन्त्र): Loom, weave; tantra is a metaphorical term used to describe how various teachings and traditions are weaved in together as “threads” into a discipline or text.
• Tapas (तपस्): Warmth, Penance; Tapas could either mean ‘heat’ or the long periods of meditation (without food or sleep) sages used to observe to appease the gods.

U

• Upanishad (उपनिषद्): The centuries-old sacred Hindu scriptures. when translated literally, Upanishad means ‘sitting down in proximity’. This term was coined because the disciples used to sit next to the teacher to receive knowledge.

If you are still in the early stages of getting a hold of Sanskrit, recording a yoga journal may make it easier for you to keep track of the words you are learning each day.

Learning Sanskrit not only opens the gates of a sublime culture steeped in rich wisdom, but will also help you experience yoga at levels you could never have imagined before.

Happy learning!

When you start learning any language, it is of extreme importance to know the most common and daily used words and the best way to learn them is by parroting. For Sanskrit, even though it is a mathematical language, still you need to learn most of the following words in order to start speaking Sanskrit almost immediately.

Also check the Sanskrit number and counting system.

The words below are arranged in the English Alphabetical order. There are several methods people apply to learn Sanskrit Vocabulary but none work for everyone and the methods are very personal.

For example, some people don’t start with vocabulary directly. They first pick a Sanskrit literature with translation in their mother tongue (or English) and then they start making note of the newly found words.

Some people check youtube videos in Sanskrit with English captions. Then they associate English words with the ongoing Sanskrit words and make notes of the newly found words.

The words mentioned in the following table are mostly found in the same way plus I used to take notes of words around me in my journey of learning Sanskrit. 

You can also make a routine of learning 5 or 10 words everyday from the following table of Sanskrit words.

Read why Sanskrit is the most beautiful language & how do you know the beauty of a language?

S.No.	Meaning in English	Sanskrit Word
	A
1	a blade	क्षुरपत्रम्
2	a corner, angle	कोणः
3	a frying pot	कटाहः
4	a guest	अतिथिः
5	a instrument, doing	करणम्
6	a kind of pumpkin	कूष्माण्डः
7	a large number (10,000,000,000)	खर्वः
8	a little	किञ्चित्
9	a piece	खण्डः
10	a pitcher	कलशः
11	a proverb	आभाणकः
12	a ray	किरणः
13	a short while	अचिरात्
14	a very small particle	कणिका
15	a while, for a moment	क्षणम्
16	able	अर्ह
17	able	अर्ह
18	above	उपरिष्टात्
19	accepting, receiving	आदानम्
20	accustomed	अभ्यस्त
21	achievement	उपलब्धिः
22	acting	अभिनयः
23	activity, action, a verb	क्रिया
24	actress	अभिनेत्री
25	age	आयुः
26	agreeable, favorable, conductive	अनुकूल
27	air	अनिलः
28	almirah	कपाटिका
29	alone	एकाकिन्
30	also	अपि
31	an application	आवेदनम्
32	an ear-ring	कुण्डलम्
33	an egg	अण्डः / अण्डम्
34	anger	कोपः / क्रोधः
35	any time	कदापि
36	apparatus	उपकरणम्
37	arrangement	आयोजनम्
38	art	कला
39	artificial	कृत्रिम
40	as if, like	इव
41	astringent	कषाय
42	at one place	एकत्र
43	atrocity, tyranny	अत्याचारः
44	attached (loving devotedly)	आसक्त
45	attachment	आसक्तिः
46	autobiography	आत्मकथा
	B
47	bald	खल्वाट
48	ball	कन्दुकः / कन्दुकम्
49	bank of a river	कूलम्
50	beginning	आरम्भः
51	belley	उदरम्
52	below, down	अधः
53	below, down	अधस्तात्
54	benefaction	उपकारः
55	bird	खगः
56	bitter	कटु
57	black	कृष्ण
58	black-board	कृष्णफलकम्
59	blanket	कम्बलः
60	blessings	आशीर्वाद
61	blind	अन्ध
62	boat	उडुपः
63	boiled liquid recipi, sambhar	क्वथितम्
64	boiled rice	ओदनः / ओदनम्
65	boy	कुमारः
66	breakfast	अल्पाहारः
67	breakfast	अल्पाहारः
68	bribe	उत्कोचः
69	brick	इष्टिका
70	brush	कूर्चः
71	bud	कलिका
72	bull	ऋषभः
73	but	किन्तु
	C
74	cake	अपूपः
75	calling, invitation	आह्वानम्
76	camel	उष्ट्रः
77	cardamom	एला
78	case (in grammar)	कारकम्
79	cause, reason	कारणम्
80	cavity formed by joining of palms	अञ्जलिः
81	certainly	अवश्यम्
82	certainly	अवश्यम्
83	certainly, indeed	खलु
84	chair	आसन्दः
85	chairman	अध्यक्षः
86	chanting	कीर्त्तनम्
87	chapter	अध्यायः
88	charming, attractive	आकर्षिका
89	charming, attractive	आकर्षिका
90	cheek	कपोलः
91	child	अर्भकः
92	class (f)	कक्षा
93	class (m)	कक्ष्या
94	cloth	अंशुकम्
95	cloth, covering cloth	आच्छादः
96	club	गदा
97	cock	कुक्कुटः
98	collection	आहरणम्
99	collyrium	अञ्जनम्
100	coming	आगमनम्
101	compassion, favour	कृपा
102	Congratulations	अभिनन्दनम्
103	conversation	आलापः
104	crime	अपराधः
105	crow	काकः
106	cuckoo bird	कोकिलः
107	curiosity	कुतूहलम्
108	curse	अभिशापः
109	cutting	कर्तनम्
	D
110	darkness	अन्धकारः
111	day and night	अहोरात्रः
112	day and night	अहोरात्रः
113	debt	ऋणम्
114	deep, serious	गभीर
115	demon	असुरः
116	demon	असुरः
117	dependent	आश्रित
118	depending on	अधीन
119	desire	अभिलाषः
120	desire, wish	इच्छा
121	device, remedy	उपायः
122	difficult	कठिन
123	digging	उत्खननम्
124	digging	खननम्
125	dog	कुक्कुरः
126	doing evil	अपकारः
127	drawing, ploughing	कर्षणम्
128	dustbin	अवकरिका
129	dustbin	अवकरिका
130	duty, work	कर्त्तव्यम्
	E
131	eagerness	उत्कण्ठा
132	ear	कर्णः
133	effort	उद्यमः
134	elder brother	अग्रजः
135	elder sister	अग्रजा
136	elephant	गजः
137	elsewhere	अन्यत्र
138	embracing	आलिङ्गनम्
139	encouragement	उत्साहः
140	end	अन्त
141	even today	अद्यापि
142	example, illustration	उदाहरणम्
143	excess	अतिशयः
144	excessively, extremely	अतीव
145	exercise, practice	अभ्यासः
146	extreme	अत्यन्त
147	extremely beautiful	अतिरमणीय
	F
148	face	आननम्
149	fail	अनुत्तीर्ण
150	false, not true	अनृत
151	family	कुटुम्बम्
152	farmer	कृषकः
153	favour	अनुग्रहः
154	festival	उत्सवः
155	field	क्षेत्रम्
156	financial	आर्थिक
157	finger ring	अङ्गुलीयकम्
158	fire	अनलः
159	first, beginning with	आदि
160	fisherman	कैवर्तः
161	flood, flow of water	ओघः
162	flowerpot	आधानिका
163	flying	उड्डयनम्
164	food	आहारः
165	food, cereal	अन्नम्
166	forest	अरण्यम्
167	forgiveness, patience	क्षमा
168	from here	इतः
169	from today	अद्यप्रभृति
170	from where	कुतः
171	front, top, tip	अग्र
172	fuel	इन्धनम्
	G
173	garden	उद्यानम्
174	gardener	उद्यानपालः
175	generous	उदार
176	gift	उपायनम्
177	ginger	आर्द्रकम्
178	girl	कन्या
179	glass	काचः
180	God, ruler	ईश्वरः
181	good health	आरोग्यम्
182	gradually	क्रमशः
183	grand total, totalling	आहत्य
184	Greetings	शुभकामना:
185	group	गणः
	H
186	hair	केशः
187	Hanuman	आञ्जनेयः
188	happiness, pleasure, joy	आनन्दः
189	happy, well	कुशलिन्
190	hard, cruel	कठोर
191	hardworking	उद्यमशीलः
192	having faith in Vedas and God	आस्तिक
193	Hello	नमस्ते/प्रणाम
194	hen	कुक्कुटी
195	hence, for this reason	अतः
196	here	अत्र
197	here and there	इतस्ततः
198	hermitage	आश्रमः
199	high, raised	उन्नतः
200	history	इतिहासः
201	history	ऐतिह्यम्
202	holiday	अवकाशः
203	holiday	अवकाशः
204	hope, direction	आशा
205	horse	अश्वः
206	horse	अश्वः
207	hospitality	अतिथिसत्कारः
208	hospitality	आतिथ्यम्
209	hot	उष्ण
210	house, place	आलयः
211	house, residence	आवासः
212	how many	कति
213	how much	कियत्
	I
214	I, myself	अहम्
215	I, myself	अहम्
216	I’m grateful to you.(Male)	अनुगृहीतोSस्मि
217	I’m grateful to you(female)	अनुगृहीताSस्मि
218	I’m happy (female)	मुदिताSस्मि
219	I’m happy (Male)	मुदितोSस्मि
220	immediately after	अनन्तरम्
221	in front of, forward	अग्रे
222	in this way	इति
223	in this way	इत्थम्
224	in which way, how	कथम्
225	inadequate	अपर्याप्त
226	income	आयः
227	incurable, difficult to be accomplished	असाध्य
228	incurable, difficult to be accomplished	असाध्य
229	index	अनुक्रमणी
230	Indra’s elephant	ऐरावतः
231	instruction. discipline	अनुशासनम्
232	intention, meaning	आशयः
233	invention	आविष्कारः
234	invitation	आमन्त्रणम्
235	issue-less (person)	अपुत्र
236	itching	कण्डूयनम्
	J
237	jealousy	असूया
238	jealousy	असूया
239	jealousy	ईर्ष्या
240	jumping	कूर्दनम्
	K
241	key	कुञ्चिका
	L
242	lap, an act of drama, a mark	अङ्कः
243	laziness	आलस्यम्
244	light	आलोकः
245	lily	उत्पलम्
246	lineage family	कुलम्
247	lip	ओष्ठः
248	little, small	अल्प
249	little, small	अल्प
250	location, base	आधारः
251	locative case	अधिकरणम्
252	lord	अधिपतिः
253	lotus	अम्बुजम्
254	lotus	कमलम्
255	loudly, high	उच्चैः
	M
256	mad	उन्मत्त
257	magician	ऐन्द्रजालिकः
258	many	अनेक
259	mat	कटः
260	medicine	औषधम्
261	mention	उल्लेखः
262	miser	कृपण
263	moon-light	कौमुदी
264	more, also, after this	अथ
265	mother	अम्बा
266	movement	आन्दोलनम्
267	much, more	अधिक
268	muskmelon	उर्वारुकम्
	N
269	natural	अकृत्रिम
270	necessary	आवश्यक
271	new comer, guest	आगन्तुक
272	noise	कोलाहलः
273	non-appearance	अदर्शनम्
274	now	इदानीम्
275	now, at present	अधुना
276	nurse	अनुवैद्या
277	nurse	उपचारिका
	O
278	of this kind	एतादृश
279	of today	अद्यतन
280	offspring	अपत्यम्
281	on, above	उपरि
282	once	एकवारम्
283	once upon a time	एकदा
284	one	एक
285	one by one	एकैकशः
286	only	एव
287	opening	उद्घाटनम्
288	opportunity, chance	अवसरः
289	opportunity, chance	अवसरः
290	or	अथवा
291	order	आदेशः
292	order, command	आज्ञा
293	ornament	आभरणम्
294	ornament, decoration	अलङ्कारः
295	other	अन्य
296	other	अपर
297	other	इतर
298	otherwise	अन्यथा
299	ours	अस्माकम्
300	ours	अस्माकम्
	P
301	pain, difficulty	कष्टम्
302	part	अवयवः
303	part	अंशः
304	part	अवयवः
305	passion, impulse	आवेगः
306	passion, love	अनुरागः
307	past, bygone, surpassed	अतिक्रान्तः
308	pencil	अङ्कनी
309	performance, action, conduct	आचरणम्
310	persistence, request	आग्रहः
311	perturbed, agitated	आकुल
312	perturbed, agitated	आकुल
313	pigeon	कपोतः
314	pillow	उपधानम्
315	pity, kindness, compassion	करुणा
316	place of the sun	अर्कक्षेत्रम्
317	placing, putting upon	आधानम्
318	play	क्रीडा
319	poet	कविः
320	poetry, literary writing of a poet	काव्यम्
321	poetry, poem	कविता
322	police station	आरक्षकालयः
323	poor	अधन
324	potato	आलुकम्
325	potter	कुम्भकारः
326	power, authority, right	अधिकारः
327	preaching	उपदेशः
328	present	उपस्थित
329	profession	उद्योगः
330	pronunciation	उच्चारणम्
331	proper	उचित
332	prosperity, wealth	ऐश्वर्यम्
333	purchasing	क्रयणम्
334	purpose	उद्देश्यम्
335	purpose, meaning, money	अर्थः
336	python	अजगरः
	Q
337	quarrel	कलहः
	R
338	ray	अंशु
339	refreshment, light food	उपाहारः
340	refuge, support	आश्रयः
341	relish (eating with)	आस्वादः
342	research	अनुसन्धानम्
343	respect	आदरः
344	respectable	आदरणीय
345	respectable, sir	आर्य
346	rich, wealthy	आढ्य
347	room	कोष्ठः
348	row of clouds	कादम्बिनी
349	rude, having long staff, rebellious, unbound	उद्दण्ड
	S
350	sacrifice	अध्वरः
351	sad	खिन्न
352	sage	ऋषिः
353	satellite	उपग्रहः
354	saying	कथनम्
355	scarcity	अभावः
356	scattered, exgraved	उत्कीर्ण
357	search	अन्वेषणम्
358	season	ऋतुः
359	seat, posture of sitting	आसनम्
360	section or part	काण्डः / काण्डम्
361	she goat	अजा
362	shop	आपणः
363	shopkeeper	आपणिकः
364	silk	कौशेयम्
365	sister’s husband	आवुत्तः
366	skilful, clever	कुशल
367	sky	आकाशः / आकाशम्
368	sky	आकाशः / आकाशम्
369	sky	गगनम्
370	small bell	किङ्किणी
371	smell	गन्धः
372	snake	अहिः
373	snake	अहिः
374	soft	कोमल
375	some time	कदाचन / कदाचित्
376	some where	कुत्रचित्
377	sorrow, depression	खेदः
378	sour	अम्ल
379	source book	आकरग्रन्थः
380	source book	आकरग्रन्थः
381	spade	खनित्रम्
382	spectacle	उपनेत्रम्
383	spider	ऊर्णनाभिः
384	spot or mark	कलङ्कः
385	sprout	अङ्कुरः
386	stone	उपलः
387	story	कथा
388	study	अध्ययनम्
389	sugarcane	इक्षुः
390	sun	अंशुमान्
391	sunlight	आतपः
392	surrendering	आत्मसमर्पणम्
393	sword	खङ्गः
394	syllable, letter	अक्षरम्
	T
395	table	उत्पीठिका
396	teacher	अध्यापकः
397	teacher, professor	आचार्यः
398	teaching	अध्यापनम्
399	ten crores	अर्बुदः, अर्बुदम्
400	the fruit of emblic myrobalan	आमलकम्
401	the mango fruit	आम्रम्
402	the mango tree	आम्रः
403	the plantain, banana	कदली
404	the sun	अर्कः
405	the thumb	अङ्गुष्ठः
406	the whole day	आदिनम्
407	thin	कृश
408	this	एतत्
409	this (f)	एषा
410	this (m)	एषः
411	this much	एतावत्
412	thrashing (powdering)	कुट्टणम्
413	throat	कण्ठः / कण्ठम्
414	thus, in this manner, so	एवम्
415	time	कालः
416	to accept	अङ्गीकरोति (अङ्ग + कृ)
417	to adorn	अलङ्करोति (अलम् + कृ)
418	to advise	उपदिशति
419	to attract	आकर्षति (आ + कृष्)
420	to attract	आकर्षति (आ + कृष्)
421	to behold	अवलोकते (अव + लोक्)
422	to behold	अवलोकते (अव + लोक्)
423	to bring	आनयति (आ + नी)
424	to bring	आहरति
425	to call	आह्वयति
426	to churn, to stir	आलोडयति (आ + लुड्)
427	to climb	आरोहति (आ + रुह्)
428	to come	आगच्छति
429	to congratulate	अभिनन्दति (अभि + नन्द्)
430	to cough	कासते (कास्)
431	to count	गणयति (गण्)
432	to cover	आच्छादयति (आ + छद्)
433	to dig	खनति (खन्)
434	to do	करोति (कृ)
435	to earn	अर्जति (अर्ज्)
436	to eat	खादति (खाद्)
437	to envy, to feel jealous	ईर्ष्यति
438	to favour, to benefit	उपकरोति
439	to feel	अनुभवति (अनु + भू)
440	to follow	अनुसरति (अनु + सृ)
441	to get down	अवतरति (अव + तृ)
442	to get down	अवतरति (अव + तृ)
443	to go	इष्यति
444	to go	कसति (कस्)
445	to go	गच्छति
446	to go, to get	ऋच्छति (ऋ)
447	to heat	उष्णीकरोति (उष्ण + कृ)
448	to lift	उत्थापयति
449	to lift	उन्नयति
450	to move, to play, to sport	खेलति (खेल्)
451	to obtain, to pervade	आप्नोति (आप्)
452	to open, to inaugurate	उद्घाटयति
453	to order	आदिशति (आ + दिश्)
454	to plough, to pull	कर्षति (कृष्)
455	to purchase	क्रीणाति (क्री)
456	to quote, to resque	उद्धरति
457	to request	अनुरुणद्धि (अनु + रुध्)
458	to request	अर्थयते (अर्थ्)
459	to ridicule	उपहसति (उप + हस्)
460	to rise	उत्तिष्ठति
461	to roar	गर्जति (गर्ज)
462	to salute	अभिवादयति (अभि + वद्)
463	to search	अन्विष्यति (अनु + इष्)
464	to see	ईक्षते
465	to shake, to tremble	कम्पते (कम्प्)
466	to shine	काशते (काश्)
467	to sit	उपविशति (उप + विश्)
468	to slacken, to cut	कर्तयति (कर्त्)
469	to stamp, to mark	अङ्कयति (अङ्क्)
470	to study	अधीते
471	to study	अधीते (इङ्)
472	to take resort	आश्रयति (आ + श्रि)
473	to teach	अध्यापयति (अधि + इङ् + णिच्)
474	to tell	कथयति (कथ )
475	to understand	अवगच्छति (अव + गम्)
476	to understand	अवगच्छति (अव + गम्)
477	to wander	अटति (अट्)
478	to wash	क्षालयति (क्षाल्)
479	to wish	इच्छति
480	to wish	इच्छति
481	to worship	अर्चति (अर्च्)
482	today	अद्य
483	today onwards	अद्यारभ्य
484	tortoise	कूर्मः
485	toy	क्रीडनकम्
486	translation	अनुवादः
487	treasure, dictionary	कोषः
488	treatment	उपचारः
489	trembling	कम्पनम्
490	trouble, pain	क्लेशः
491	troubling, pain	उपतापः
492	trouser, pantaloon	उरुकम्
493	turban	उष्णीषः
	U
494	unified, gathered	एकीकृत
495	unknown	अपरिचित
496	unrighteousness	अधर्मः
497	unseen voice	अशरीरवाणी
498	unseen voice	अशरीरवाणी
	V
499	very, too, exceedingly, over, beyond	अति
500	violent, radical	उग्र
	W
501	water	उदकम्
502	weapon	आयुधम्
503	weeping	क्रन्दनम्
504	welfare	क्षेमः
505	well	कूपः
506	wet	आर्द्र
507	what	किम्
508	what kind of	कीदृशः
509	when	कदा
510	where	कुत्र
511	whip	कशा
512	who	कः
513	wicked person	खलः
514	wish	काङ्क्षा
515	without leaving	अनुत्सृज्य
516	wolf	ईहामृगः
517	wonder	आश्चर्यम्
518	wonderful, marvellous	आश्चर्य
519	wood	काष्ठम्
520	wool	ऊर्णा
521	woollen	और्णम्
522	work	कार्यम्
523	worm or insect	कीटः
524	worship	आराधना
525	worshiper, priest	अर्चक
	Y
526	year	अब्दः
527	yes	आम्
528	yes	ओम्
529	younger brother	अनुजः
530	younger sister	अनुजा
531	Your thankful (male)	धन्योSस्मि।
532	Your thankful(female)	धन्याSस्मि।

Hope you could learn most of these Sanskrit words for your daily usage.

You might also want to check Bhagavad Gita Quotes.

Read more here:

• Pratyay.
• Yan Sandhi | यण् सन्धिः
• सवर्णदीर्घसन्धिः | Savarna-deergha Sandhi
• Sanskrit Alphabets
• Animal names in sanskrit.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is a list of English words of Sanskrit origin. Most of these words were not directly borrowed from Sanskrit. The meaning of some words have changed slightly after being borrowed.

Both languages belong to the Indo-European language family and have numerous cognate terms. Innumerous words like «Mortal», «Feet», «End», «Path», «Mother», «Father» and the names of the numbers 1-10 are cognates of English and Sanskrit, along with other Indo-European languages like German, Latin, French or Persian. However, this list is strictly of the words which is taken from Sanskrit:

A[edit]

Ambarella

through Sinhala: ඇඹරැල්ලා æmbarællā ultimately from Sanskrit: अम्बरेल्ला, a kind of tree.^[1]

Aniline

through German: Anilin, French: Aniline and Portuguese: Anil from Arabic النيل al-nili and Persian نیلا nila, ultimately from Sanskrit नीली nili.^[2]

Aryan

from Sanskrit आर्य ārya, “noble; noble one” though it originally stems from the Proto-Indo-Iranian autonym *áryas. First attested in English in 1839, it was likely coined as a loan from earlier scholars in Europe writing in German and French who in turn borrowed directly from Sanskrit. ^[3][4][5]

Atoll

through Dhivehi : އަތޮޅު possibly from Sanskrit अन्तला antalā, interior, though there are other theories. ^[6]

Aubergine

from French aubergine, in Catalan albergínia, via Arabic بَاتِنْجَان bātinjān and Persian بادنجان bâdenjân ultimately from Sanskrit वातिगगम vātigagama,^[7] meaning eggplant or aubergine.

Avatar

from Sanskrit अवतार avatāra, which means «descent», an avatar refers to the human incarnation of God during times of distress on earth. Thus, Krishna and Rāma were both avatars of Vishnu, who also manifested himself as an avatar many other times, ten of which are considered the most significant.^[8]

B[edit]

Bandana

from Sanskrit बन्धन bandhana, «a bond».

Banyan

from Hindi baniyaa ultimately from Sanskrit वणिज्‌ vaṇij, which means «a merchant».^[9]

Basmati

through Hindi बासमती ultimately from Sanskrit वास vāsa.^[10]

Bahuvrihi

from Sanskrit बहुव्रीहि bahuvrīhih, a composite word, meaning ‘much rice’.^[11]

Bidi

through Hindi बीड़ी ultimately from Sanskrit वितिक vitika.^[12]

Bhakti

from Sanskrit भक्ति «bhakti», portion or more importantly, devotion.

Brinjal

from Portuguese bringella or beringela, from Persian بادنجان badingān, probably from Sanskrit vātiṅgaṇa.^[13]

Buddha

from Sanskrit बुद्ध buddha, which means «awakened, enlightened», refers to Siddhartha Gautama, founder of Buddhism. Also refers to one who is enlightened in accordance with the teachings of Buddha or a likeness of Buddha.^[14]

C[edit]

Candy

Middle English candi, crystallized cane sugar, short for sugre-candi, partial translation of Old French sucre candi, ultimately from Arabic sukkar qandī : sukkar, sugar + qandī, consisting of sugar lumps (from qand, lump of crystallized sugar, from an Indic source akin to Pali kaṇḍa-, from Sanskrit खाण्डक khaṇḍakaḥ, from khaṇḍaḥ, piece, fragment, perhaps of Munda origin).^[15]

Carmine and Crimson

From Arabic word Kirmiz(evolved in French later),from Sanskrit कृमि kṛmi meaning «worm».

Cashmere

1680s, «shawl made of cashmere wool», from the old spelling of Kashmir, Himalayan kingdom where wool was obtained from long-haired goats.^[16]

Chakram

from Sanskrit चक्रं Cakram, a circular throwing weapon

Cheetah

which is from Sanskrit चित्रस chitra-s «uniquely marked».^[17]

Chintz

from Hindi chint, from Sanskrit chitra-s «clear, bright».^[18]

Chukar

via Hindi चकोर cakor and Urdu چکور chukar ultimately from Sanskrit चकोर cakorah.^[19]

Chukker

from Hindi चक्कर and Urdu چکرchakkar, from Sanskrit चक्र cakra, «a circle, a wheel».^[20]

Citipati

from Sanskrit चिति पति citi-pati, which means «a funeral pyre lord».^[21]

Cot

from Hindi खाट khaat «a couch», which is from Sanskrit खट्वा khatva.^[22]

Copra

from Portuguese copra (16c.), from koppara (cognate with Hindi khopra) «coconut»; related to Hindi khopri «skull», from Sanskrit kharparah «skull».^[23]

Cowrie

from Hindi कौड़ी kauri and Urdu کمتدب kauri, from Marathi कवडी kavadi, which is ultimately from Sanskrit कपर्द kaparda.^[24]

Crimson

from Old Spanish cremesin, via Medieval Latin cremesinus from Persian قرمز qirmiz «a kermes», which is ultimately from Sanskrit कृमिज krmi-ja literally: «red dye produced by a worm».^[25]

Crocus

from Greek κρόκος crocus, via Semitic languages (e.g. Hebrew כרכום karkōm, Aramaic ܟܘܪܟܡܐ kurkama, Persian كركم kurkum, which mean saffron or saffron yellow^[26]); ultimately from Sanskrit कुङ्कुमं kunkumam.^[27]

D[edit]

Dal

through Hindi दाल dāl ultimately from Sanskrit दल dala, meaning cotyledon of a pea pod, a type of Indian food; also refers to lentils.^[28]

Das

from Sanskrit दास daasa, a slave or servant.^[29] See also Dasa.

Datura

through Latin and Hindi: धतूरा dhatūra «jimson weed» ultimately from Sanskrit धत्तूरा dhattūrā, a kind of flowering plant.^[30]

Deodar

through Hindi देओदार deodār ultimately from Sanskrit देवदारु devadāru, a kind of tree.^[31]

Deva

from Sanskrit देव deva, which means «a god», akin to Latin deus, «god».^[32]

Devi

from Sanskrit देवी devi, which means «a goddess».^[33]

Dharma

from Sanskrit: धर्म dharma; akin to Latin: firmus, meaning «conformity to one’s duty and nature» and «divine law».^[34]

Dhoti

via Hindi dhotī (Hindi: धोती) ultimately from Sanskrit dhautī (Sanskrit: धौती) which means ‘to wash’, a traditional male garment used in India. Material tied around the waist that covers most of the legs.^[35]

Dinghy

from Hindi दिन्गी dingi «a tiny boat», probably from Sanskrit द्रोण drona.^[36]

Dvandva

is a Sanskrit technical term literally meaning «a pair».^[37]

G[edit]

Ganja

via Hindi गांजा (gaanja or «hemp»), ultimately from Sanskrit गञ्जा (gañjā or «hemp»).^[38]

Gharry

via Hindi word gādī (Hindi: गाड़ी) which is ultimately derived from Sanskrit word garta (Sanskrit: गर्त) which means ‘chariot’.^[39]

Ginger

from Old English gingifer, gingiber, from Late Latin gingiber, from Latin zingiberi, from Greek zingiberis, from Prakrit (Middle Indic) singabera, from Sanskrit श्रङ्गवेर śrngavera, from śrnga «horn» + vera- «body», although, it may have derived instead from Tamil word «Inchi» (இஞ்சி).^[40]

Gondwana

from two Sanskrit words, goṇḍa (Devanagari: गोण्ड) which means ‘Gondi people or mountaineers’ and vana (Devanagari: वन) which means ‘forest’.

Guar

through Hindi गार ultimately from Sanskrit गोपाली gopālī, an annual legume.^[41]

Gunny

via Persian گونی «Gooni» a burlap sack and Hindi गोनी, ultimately from Sanskrit गोणी goni «sack».^[42]

Gurkha

via Nepalese गोर्खा ultimately from Sanskrit गोरक्ष goraksa, «a cowherd».^[43]

Guru

via Hindi गुरु ultimately from Sanskrit गुरु guru, which means «a teacher».^[44]

J[edit]

Jackal

from Turkish çakal, from Persian شغال shaghal, from Middle Indic shagal, ultimately from Sanskrit शृगाल srgala «the howler».^[45]

Jaggery

via Portuguese jágara, jagre and Malayalam ഛക്കര chakkara, ultimately from Sanskrit शर्करा śarkarā.^[46]

Java

originally a kind of coffee grown on Java and nearby islands of modern Indonesia. By early 20c. it meant coffee generally. The island name is shortened from Sanskrit Yavadvipa «Island of Barley», from yava «barley» + dvipa «island».^[47]

Juggernaut

through Odia ଜଗନ୍ନାଥ Jagannatha ultimately from Sanskrit जगन्नाथ jagat-natha-s, which means «lord of the world».^[48]

Jungle

through Hindi जंगल jangal «a desert, forest»; also Persian جنگل jangal meaning forest; ultimately from Sanskrit जङ्गल jangala, which means «arid».^[49]

Jute

from Sanskrit जुत juta-s, which means «twisted hair».^[50]

K[edit]

Karma

from Sanskrit कर्मन् karman, which means «action».^[51]

Kedgeree

probably ultimately from Sanskrit कृशर krśara.^[52]

Kermes

via French: Kermès, and Persian قرمز qermez; perhaps ultimately from Sanskrit: कृमिज kṛmija meaning «worm-made».^[53]

L[edit]

Lac

through Urdu لاکھ, Persian لاک and Hindi लाख lakh from Prakrit लक्ख lakkha, ultimately from Sanskrit लाक्षा lākṣā, meaning lac.^[54]

Lacquer

through French: Laque and Portuguese: Laca from Arabic لك lakk,लाख in Hindi, via Prakrit ultimately from Sanskrit लाक्षा lākṣā.^[55]

Langur

through Hindi लुट lut probably ultimately from Sanskrit लङ्गूल langūla.^[56]

Lilac

via Arabic للك lilak from Persian نیلک nilak meaning «bluish», ultimately from Sanskrit नील nila, which means «dark blue».^[57]

Loot

ultimately from Sanskrit लुण्टा lota-m or लुण्ठति luṇṭhati meaning «he steals» through Hindi लूट lūṭ, which means «a booty, stolen thing».^[58]

M[edit]

Maharajah

through Hindi महाराजा ultimately from Sanskrit महाराजा mahā-rājā, which means «a great king».^[59]

Maharani

through Hindi महारानी finally from Sanskrit महाराज्ञी mahārājnī, which means «consort of a maharajah».^[60]

Maharishi

from Sanskrit महर्षि maha-rishi, which means «a great sage».^[61]

Mahatma

from Sanskrit महात्मा mahatma, which means «a great breath, soul».^[62]

Mahayana

from Sanskrit महायान maha-yana, which means «a great vehicle».^[63]

Mahout

via Hindi माहुत (variant of महावत) ultimately from Sanskrit महामात्रः mahāmātrah.^[64]

Mandala

from Sanskrit मण्डल mandala, which means «a disc, circle».^[65]

Mandarin

via Portuguese mandarim, Dutch mandarijn, Malay mantri or menteri, and Hindi मंत्री mantri «a councillor» ultimately from Sanskrit मन्त्रिन् mantri, which means «an advisor».^[66]

Mantra

from Sanskrit मन्त्र mantra-s which means «a holy message or text».^[67]

Maya

from Sanskrit माया māyā, a religious term related with illusion.^[68]

Moksha

from Sanskrit मोक्ष moksha, liberation from the cycle of death and rebirth.^[69]

Mugger

via Hindi मगर and Urdu مگر magar ultimately from Sanskrit मकर makara («sea creature»), like a crocodile, which attacks stealthily.^[70]

Mung bean

through Hindi मुग mū̃g and Pali/Prakrit मुग्ग mugga ultimately from Sanskrit मुद्ग mudga, a kind of bean.^[71]

Musk

via Middle English muske, Middle French Musc, Late Latin Muscus and Late Greek μόσχος moskhos from Persian موشک mushk, ultimately from Sanskrit मुस्क muska meaning «a testicle», from a diminutive of मुस mus («mouse»).^[72][73][74]

Mynah

through Hindi मैना maina ultimately from Sanskrit मदन madana-s, which means «love».^[75]

N[edit]

Nainsook

through Hindi नैनसुख nainsukh ultimately from Sanskrit नयनसुख nayana-sukha, meaning «pleasing to the eyes».^[76]

Nard

through Old French narde and Latin nardus from Greek νάρδος nardos, perhaps ultimately from Sanskrit नलद nalada.^[77]

Narghile

through French Narguilé and Persian نارگيله nārghīleh ultimately from Sanskrit नारिकेल nārikela.^[78]

Nark

probably from Romany nak «a nose», via Hindi नक nak ultimately from Sanskrit नक्र‌ nakra.^[79]

Neem

through Hindi नीम nīm ultimately from Sanskrit निम्ब nimba, a kind of tree.^[80]

Nilgai

through Hindi नीलगाय nīlgāy lit., blue cow ultimately from Sanskrit नीलगौ nīla-gau, an ox-like animal.^[81]

Nirvana

from Sanskrit निर्वाण nirvāṇa which means «extinction, disappearance».^[82]

O[edit]

Opal

through French opalle from Latin opalus from Greek ὀπάλλιος opallios, probably ultimately from Sanskrit उपल upala.^[83]

Orange

through Old French orenge, Medieval Latin orenge and Italian arancia from Arabic نارنج naranj, via Persian نارنگ narang and Sanskrit नारङ्ग naranga-s meaning «an orange tree», derived from proto-Dravidian.^[84]

P[edit]

Pal

1788, from Romany (English Gypsy) pal «brother, comrade», variant of continental Romany pral, plal, phral, probably from Sanskrit bhrata «brother» ^[85]

Palanquin

via Odia word pālankī (Odia:ପାଲଙ୍କି) which is ultimately derived from Sanskrit पल्यङ्क palyanka which means ‘bed’ or ‘couch’.

Parcheesi

1800, from Hindi pachisi, from pachis «twenty-five» (highest throw of the dice), from Sanskrit panca «five» ^[86]

Pepper

Old English pipor, from an early West Germanic borrowing of Latin piper «pepper», from Greek piperi, probably (via Persian) from Middle Indic pippari, from Sanskrit pippali «long pepper».^[87]

Punch

via Sanskrit पञ्च pancha, meaning «five». The original drink was made from five ingredients: alcohol, sugar, lemon, water, and tea or spices.^[88] (The other senses of ‘punch’ are unrelated.)

Pundit

via Sanskrit पण्डित paṇdita, meaning «learned». A person who offers to mass media their opinion or commentary on a particular subject area.^[89]

R[edit]

Raita

ultimately from Sanskrit राजिका rājikā via Hindi रायता rāytā, a south Asian condiment and side dish made of yogurt and vegetables.^[90]

Raj

through Hindi राज and Pali/Prakrit रज्ज rajja ultimately from Sanskrit राज्य rājya, which means «a king» or «kingdom». Raj means kingdom or domain of a ruler.^[91]

Rajah

through Hindi राज from Sanskrit राजन् rājān, which means «a king».^[92]

Ramtil

through Hindi ultimately from Sanskrit रामतिल rāmatila, which means «a dark sesame».^[93]

Rani

through Hindi रानी ultimately from Sanskrit राज्ञी rājnī, consort of a rajah.^[94]

Rice

via Old French ris and Italian riso from Latin oriza, which is from Greek ὄρυζα oryza, through an Indo-Iranian tongue finally from Sanskrit व्रीहि vrihi «rice», ultimately derived from proto-Dravidian arisi.^[95]

Rupee

through Hindi रुपया rupiyā ultimately from Sanskrit रूप्यक rūpyaka, an Indian silver coin.^[96]

S[edit]

Saccharide

via Latin Saccharon and Greek σάκχαρον from Pali सक्खर sakkharā, ultimately from Sanskrit शर्करा sarkarā.^[97]

Sambal

through Afrikaans, Indonesian and Tamil சம்பல் campāl ultimately from Sanskrit सम्बार sambhārei.^[98]

Sambar

through Hindi ultimately from Sanskrit शंबरः śambarah, a kind of Asian deer.^[99]

Sandalwood

via Middle English sandell, Old French sandale, Medieval Latin sandalum, Medieval Greek σανδάλιον sandalion (diminutive of σάνδαλον sandalon) and Arabic and Persian صندل; ultimately from Sanskrit चन्दन candana meaning «wood for burning incense».^[100]

Sapphire

via Old French saphir, Latin sapphirus and Greek σάπφειρος sappheiros from a Semitic tongue (c.f. Hebrew: ספיר sapir); possibly the ultimate origin is Sanskrit शनिप्रिय sanipriya which literally means «sacred to Saturn (Shani)».^[101]

Sari

through Hindi साड़ी sari and Prakrit सदि sadi, finally from Sanskrit सति sati «garment».^[102]

Shampoo

via Anglo-Indian shampoo and Hindi चाँपो champo from Sanskrit चपयति capayati, which means «kneads».^[103]

Shawl

from Persian شال shal, finally from Sanskrit शाटी śāṭī, which means «a strip of cloth».^[104]

Singapore

via Malay Singapura ultimately from Sanskrit सिंहपुर simhapura, literally «the lion city».^[105]

Sri Lanka

from Sanskrit: श्री लंका which means «venerable island». It is said that Shree or Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth, resides there.

Sugar

through Old French sucre, Italian zucchero, Medieval Latin succarum, Arabic: سكر sukkar and Persian: شکر shakar ultimately from Sanskrit शर्करा śarkara which means «ground or candied sugar» (originally «grit» or «gravel»).^[106]

Sunn

via Hindi: सुन्न ultimately from Sanskrit: सन sāna, a kind of Asian plant.^[107]

Swami

through Hindi स्वामी swami ultimately from Sanskrit स्वामी svami, which means «a master».^[108]

Swastika

from Sanskrit स्वस्तिक svastika, which means «one associated with well-being, a lucky charm».^[109]

T[edit]

Taka

via Maithili and Bengali : টাকা from Sanskrit टङ्क tanka.^[110]

Talipot

through Hindi, Indonesian and Malay talipat from Sanskrit तालपत्र tālapatra, a kind of palm.^[111]

Tank

a word originally brought by the Portuguese from India, from a Hindi source, such as Gujarati tankh «cistern, underground reservoir for water», Marathi tanken, or tanka «reservoir of water, tank». Perhaps ultimately from Sanskrit tadaga «pond, lake pool», and reinforced in later sense of «large artificial container for liquid».^[112]

Tendu

via Hindi ultimately from Sanskrit तैन्दुक tainduka.^[113]

Teapoy

via Hindi तिपाई tipāi and Urdu تپائي tipāʼī,which originated as a Sanskrit compound: त्रि (trí, «three») and पाद (pā́da, «foot»).^[114]

Thug

through Marathi ठग thag probably ultimately from Sanskrit स्थग sthaga, which means «a scoundrel».^[115]

Til

from Sanskrit तिलः tilah, a kind of plant.^[116]

Toddy

through Hindi तरी tari ultimately from Sanskrit तल tala-s, a Dravidian origin is also probable.^[117]

Toon

through Hindi तुन tūn ultimately from Sanskrit तुन्न tunna, a kind of tree.^[118]

Tope

through Hindi टॉप ṭop probably from Prakrit थुपो thūpo, finally from Sanskrit स्तूप stūpa.^[119]

Tutty

through Middle English tutie, Old French, Medieval Latin tūtia, Arabic توتي tūtiyā, and Persian توتیا ultimately from Sanskrit तुत्थ tuttha meaning «blue vitriol», a Dravidian origin is also probable.^[120]

V[edit]

Vina

ultimately from Sanskrit वीणा vīṇā through Hindi वीणा vīṇā, a kind of musical instrument.^[121]

W[edit]

Wanderoo

through Sinhala: වන්ඩෙරූ vanḍerū finally from Sanskrit वानर vānara, a kind of monkey.^[122]

Y[edit]

Yoga

through Sanskrit योग yoga-s, which means «yoke, union».^[123]

Yogi

through Hindi योगी yogi from Sanskrit योगी yogi, one who practices yoga or ascetic.^[124]

Z[edit]

Zen

through Japanese 禅 and Chinese 禪 Chán ultimately from Pali झान jhāna and Sanskrit ध्यान dhyana, which means «a meditation».^[125]

See also[edit]

• Indian English
• List of Hindu deities
• Lists of English words by country or language of origin

References[edit]

External links[edit]

• Sanskrit in Freedictionary.com
• Sanskrit Dictionary containing terms of modern Spoken Sanskrit