कमल
kamala/kɐ.mɐ.l̪ɐ/masculine
The Sanskrit word for lotus is कमल (kamala). Wiktionary also lists पद्म (padma).
Meaning: plant of the genus Nelumbo (noun)
Ways to say it
| Sanskrit | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| कमल | kamala | /kɐ.mɐ.l̪ɐ/ (Classical Sanskrit) | masculine |
| पद्म | padma | /pɐd.mɐ/ (Vedic) /pɐd̪.mɐ/ (Classical Sanskrit) |
masculine, neuter |
The terms refer to plants of the genus Nelumbo.
Which one should you use?
कमल is a masculine noun, while पद्म can be either masculine or neuter. पद्म is frequently used in classical Sanskrit poetry and literature to refer to the lotus.
How do you pronounce it?
kamala
When do people say it?
In Sanskrit-based traditions, the lotus is a primary symbol of purity, spiritual awakening and divine beauty.
Did you know?
- The word कमल may not be native to the Indo-Aryan family but was instead borrowed from Dravidian languages.
- In Sanskrit art and iconography, the 'lotus position' is called पद्मासन, combining पद्म with the word for 'seat' or 'posture'.
- Many Sanskrit names for goddesses, such as पद्मा or कमला, are simply feminine forms of the words for 'lotus'.
Examples in context
- एकं कमलं सुन्दरं अस्ति।ekaṃ kamalaṃ sundaraṃ asti.A lotus is beautiful.
- तडागे कमलं विकसति।taḍāge kamalaṃ vikasati.A lotus blooms in the pond.
- मम प्रियं कमलं अस्ति।mama priyaṃ kamalaṃ asti.The lotus is my favorite.
Example conversation
Kavya and Aditya are looking at a garden.
- काव्या Kavyaपश्य आदित्य, तत्र कमलम् अस्ति।Paśya Āditya, tatra kamalam asti.Look Aditya, there is a lotus there.
- आदित्य Adityaआम् काव्ये, तत् अति सुन्दरम् अस्ति।Ām Kāvye, tat ati sundaram asti.Yes Kavya, it is very beautiful.
- काव्या Kavyaकिं तव कमलम् प्रियम् अस्ति?Kim tava kamalam priyam asti?Do you like the lotus?
- आदित्य Adityaआम्, मह्यं कमलम् रोचते।Ām, mahyaṃ kamalam rocate.Yes, I like the lotus.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lotus” translations and entries कमल, पद्म, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries कमल, पद्म, CC BY-SA 4.0.
