Unlocking The Power of Sanskrit: 267 Words for Love

What if the words that you speak could become tangible and shape your reality? Words hold immense power. Through their sound and through the form of the letters themselves, a vibration is created. It goes beyond language.

The Language of Sanskrit

Sanskrit is a language of sound with a focus on the expression of essence— the intrinsic quality of a state or idea. The 3,500 year old Rigveda, the oldest existing sacred book of Hinduism, was written in Sanskrit—a liturgical language developed for the purpose of transmitting spiritual wisdom, not just in the Hindu tradition but in the Buddhist and Jain traditions as well. Through the continuous oral tradition of Sanskrit—going back even further than the Rigveda—hymns, mantras and philosophy were passed down from teacher to student, maintaining the integrity of the sounds. Each syllable associated with every word was believed to hold a sacred meaning, and when intoned, had the power to heal, expand the self, and deepen one’s connection to the divine.

Now, English is a language deeply rich in words, with some arguing that it may be the language with the largest vocabulary. But while rich in words, it could be seen as impoverished in meaning when compared to the modular or algorithmic structure of Sanskrit which allows the language to be creatively formed infinitely, even for a single work of literature, art, or poetry.

Sanskrit Mantras

In Sanskrit, magic words are real. Whether it is a sacred mantra or a bija (seed sound or syllable) that has been transmitted from teacher to student for millennia or simply a word that holds the energy of what you want to create or experience, the words that you choose to connect with through practice can shift your reality.

In an asana yoga practice, a drishti (focal point for the eyes) is used to keep the body and the mind steady in the poses. Similarly, we can use the energy of Sanskrit words to focus our mind and energy into what we want to create such as using a word to set an intention with meditation, a movement practice, a creative project or asana. For example, a yoga class could be devoted to premardra (meaning “overflowing with love”), liberating a cascade of love to flow through your being as you move through the poses.

What is Sanskrit for Love?

With respect and reverence for the profound teaching and transmission of mantra, can we use the energy of these Sanskrit words to generate the kind of love or healing we seek? I believe—yes.

As a conceptual artist, my work begins as a question and the answer can come in many forms— performance, painting or creating an object that explores the idea. At the time that The Little Love Book: 267 Words for Love in Sanskrit came to be, I had been in a period of intense experimental film-making and performance when my beloved dog, Ted, began to decline in health rapidly. I couldn’t leave him alone anymore while I went out to express my creativity. I began to stay at home, tending to his needs and spending the precious time I had left in his sweet presence. A question began to form in this space—a flavor of love I had never experienced before, one tinged with devotion, sadness, longing and beauty all mixed together. What is this love and does it have a name? This led to the even larger question: What is love? How can the one word we have in English encompass such a myriad of experiences and realities that we call love? And so, the project began.

From there, I identified Sanskrit as the language with the most words for love but I couldn’t find a compilation of the words anywhere. So, at home, with Ted at my side, I began collecting this list using a 19th Century Sanskrit/English dictionary. As I uncovered a new word and took in the shape and sound of it, as well as the definition, a gentle, nectarous cloud—what I can only describe as LOVE—would fill the room and my being. The words were a meditation and a transmission of love itself.

As an intention for your yoga practice or for simply being, here are a few Sanskrit words you could use to grow the love in your life. Use them with an open heart and mind while holding equanimity to the outcome.

The transliteration is also included here so the words can be pronounced accurately either silently or aloud. The correct pronunciation of Sanskrit sounds, with each syllable considered to be sacred, can connect you to thousands of years of intonation and intention. You can also simply gaze at the word and/or work with it as a creative practice as well.

उज्ज्वल
ujjvala (OOJ-vuh-la)
Sanskrit Translation: luminous blazing up of beauty, full blown, expanded love and passion
Take this into your practice: Fierce Self Love with Dayna Seraye

नायिका
nayika (NYE-ee-ka)
Sanskrit Translation: woman wise in love and life’s pleasures, embodying Shakti (energy) without which even Lord Shiva would not be able to open his eyes
Take this into your practice: Yoga for Women: Awakening Shakti with Shari Friedrichsen

प्रेमार्द्र
premardra (PREH-mar-drah)
Sanskrit Translation: overflowing with love
Take this into your practice: I Love My Body with Rocky Heron

मनसिजतरु
manasijataru (manna-see-JA-taroo)
Sanskrit Translation: love conceived as a tree, a tree that grows and blossoms through the water of love, nourishment through love
Take this into your practice: Tendrils of Compassion with Oneika Mays

रसवत्
rasavat (rah-sah-vah-t)
Sanskrit Translation: full of sap, juicy, succulent, possessing love
Take this into your practice: Waves of Love with Sianna Sherman

हृच्छय
hrcchaya (her-CHAI-ah)
Sanskrit Translation: the protective shadow of the heart, feeling the relief of love from the harshness of the world
Take this into your practice: Resilient Heart with Megan Kearney (Pusateri)

Exploring the depth and beauty of Sanskrit offers a potent way to enrich not only our practices but also the possibilities and expressions of our lives. The power of these ancient words lies not only in their meanings but also in their vibrations and the intentions we bring to them. Whether you incorporate these words into your yoga practice, meditation, or the daily work of life, they offer a pathway to deeper connection and self-expansion.

For additional words for love in Sanskrit, check out The Little Love Book: 267 Words for Love in Sanskrit.