compassion in Sanskrit

[theonides]

Long-time lurker with a question

Comments

[muckefuck]

I've often seen maitrī translated as "compassion". Keep in mind that it's unlikely there will be a single Sanskrit term that corresponds exactly to the English word in all of its meanings and nuances. If you can, do a little reading on Indic metaphysics and try to find a concept there which overlaps those aspects of "compassion" that you're most interested in.

[muckefuck]

For a bit more on maitrī and its relationship to other Indic metaphysical concepts, see the short introduction here. If the aspect of compassion which appeals to you is the desire to liberate others from suffering, karuna might be a better choice.

[theonides]

thanks for this. in the context I'm thinking of karuna is probably closest.

[quizling]

Sanskrit is replete with synonyms, and it's hard to tell them apart because the meanings are often tied to the context.

"Karuna" (करुणा in devanāgari) has undertones of pity or sorrow, but it's better than "maitri" (मैत्री), which has connotations of friendship rather than compassion.

"Dayā" (दया) is a common word that can mean compassion, but the shades of meaning can range from compassion to kindness to clemency.

"Anukampā" (अनुकम्पा or अनुकंपा) has shades of sympathy/empathy.

For tolerance (as in interreligious amity), "sahishnutā" (सहिष्णुता) expresses the sentiment best.

[dbmyrrha]

just FYI, my Indian fiancé gave me the name "Krupa," upon our engagement, which he told me means "compassion." (It is also sometimes spelled "kripa," but as all anglicized Sanskrit words are transliterations, the spelling tends to be flexible

Compassion in Samskrutham

[vijaykumarrk]

Grushna as in Grushneshwar, the twelfth Jyotirlinga. The lord of compassion. Karuna seems to be an equivalent but then what is pity which must be distinguished from compassion.