कातरः
kātaraḥ
The Sanskrit word for coward is कातरः (kātaraḥ).
The term refers to a person who lacks courage. While कातरः is the standard term, the word Ajagara (which primarily means python) can be used metaphorically to label someone as a coward if they are acting hesitant or afraid.
Meaning: a person who lacks courage (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The default form कातरः is in the masculine singular nominative case. If you are referring to two cowards, use the masculine dual form कातरौ.
How do you pronounce it?
kātaraḥ
Did you know?
- In some classical texts, calling someone a coward was not just an insult but a way to challenge their 'dharma' or moral duty to fight.
- In Sanskrit, the word कातरः can also describe a state of being 'distressed' or 'perturbed', not just a lack of bravery.
- The language uses distinct forms for a single coward, two cowards and many cowards, making the number of people being insulted precise.
Examples in context
- सः कातरः अस्ति।saḥ kātaraḥ asti.He is a coward.
- कातरः मनुष्यः युद्धं न करोति।kātaraḥ manuṣyaḥ yuddhaṃ na karoti.A coward does not fight a war.
Example conversation
Aditya and Mira are discussing a character in a story.
- आदित्य Adityaकिं सः कातरः अस्ति?kiṃ saḥ kātaraḥ asti?Is he a coward?
- मीरा Miraआम्, सः अति कातरः अस्ति।ām, saḥ ati kātaraḥ asti.Yes, he is very much a coward.
- आदित्य Adityaमीरे, तस्य साहसं कुत्र?mīre, tasya sāhasaṃ kutra?Mira, where is his courage?
- मीरा Miraतस्य साहसं नास्ति।tasya sāhasaṃ nāsti.He has no courage.
