Abhi

Abhi (Devanagari अभि) is a preposition in Sanskrit, also found in Pali, Bengali, Assamese and Hindi. Today, it remains a productive element in forming names.

A similar word, "abhī" (अभी), meaning "fearless,"[1] was often discussed by Swami Vivekananda (see below).

Origin

The first reference to the word "Abhi" is found in the ancient Hindu sacred text Rigveda book 1, hymn 164.[2] The word frequently appears in the Vedas, Upnishad and Bhagavad Gita.

Meaning

"Abhi" is an adverb or preposition (see Upasarga) with various meanings depending on its context. According to Macdonnell's Sanskrit dictionary:[3]

  • As an adverb, it means "unto, near"
  • As a preposition plus accusative, it means "towards; to, against; over; for, for the sake of; with regard to"
  • As a preposition plus ablative, it means "without"

It is believed that the word "Abhi" on its own in Sanskrit (for example, in ancient poetry) means the first ray of sunlight.

According to Swami Vivekananda the meaning of the word "Abhih" mentioned in the Vedantas is "fearless." While pronouncing "Abhih," the second "h" is silent.[4][5] He also told a "Vedantist is to be Abhih, fearless".[6]

The meaning of the Hindi word "abhi," if translated to English, would be (ab + hi) "just now" or "now itself" (ab meaning now).

Usage

"Abhi" is also a common Indian name for boys and men. Although a name less common in girls, it is often used as a nickname, short for "Abhilasha." Confusion results from the fact that the name also has a current meaning in Hindi ("now").

The word 'Abhi' is used as a prefix in many Indian male and female names and words. Example of names: Abhinay,Abhigyan, Abhiram, Abhirami, Abhiras, Abhinesh, Abhijeet, Abhilash, Abhimanyu, Abhishek, Abhinav, Abhichandra, Abhinehsan

Example of words: Abhidhamma, Abhikarta, Abhimana, Abhineta, Abhisheka, Abhivandana, Abhiyan, Abhiyanta, Abhinash

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References

  1. ↑ See Macdonnell's Sanskrit Dictionary
  2. ↑ The Rig Veda in Sanskrit: Rig Veda Book 1: Hymn 164
  3. ↑ See Macdonnell's dictionary
  4. ↑ Wikisource:The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda/Volume 3/Lectures from Colombo to Almora/Vedanta in its Application to Indian Life
  5. ↑ Wikisource:The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda/Volume 3/Lectures from Colombo to Almora/Bhakti
  6. ↑ "Swami Vivekananda on Abhih". Swami Vivekananda Quotes.
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