दर्पण
darpaṇa/dɐ́ɾ.pɐ.ɳɐ/masculine
The Sanskrit word for mirror is दर्पण (darpaṇa).
The word refers to a smooth reflecting surface.
Meaning: smooth reflecting surface (noun)
Which one should you use?
The standard masculine form is दर्पण, while the formal version दर्पणम् is also used. Additionally, सुदर्पणम् is used specifically when describing a mirror as being attractive or pleasing.
How does it change in a sentence?
दर्पण is a masculine noun. The form दर्पणम् is a formal variant.
Did you know?
- In some traditional Indian contexts, looking into a दर्पण is associated with the concept of 'darshana', or the act of seeing and being seen by a deity.
- The root of दर्पण is linked to the idea of 'causing vanity' through the verb 'dṛp', suggesting that the object itself is an agent of pride.
- Classical Sanskrit poetry often uses दर्पण to describe the moon. The moon is envisioned as a celestial mirror reflecting the light of the sun.
Examples in context
- दर्पणः स्वच्छः अस्ति।darpaṇaḥ svacchaḥ asti.The mirror is clean.
- अहं दर्पणं पश्यामि।ahaṃ darpaṇaṃ paśyāmi.I am looking at the mirror.
Example conversation
Isha and Aditya are in a dressing room.
- ईशा Ishaआदित्य, किं तत्र दर्पणः अस्ति?āditya, kiṃ tatra darpaṇaḥ asti?Aditya, is there a mirror there?
- आदित्य Adityaआम्, तत्र एकः दर्पणः अस्ति।ām, tatra ekaḥ darpaṇaḥ asti.Yes, there is a mirror there.
- ईशा Ishaकिं दर्पणः स्वच्छः अस्ति?kiṃ darpaṇaḥ svacchaḥ asti?Is the mirror clean?
- आदित्य Adityaआम्, दर्पणः अति स्वच्छः अस्ति।ām, darpaṇaḥ ati svacchaḥ asti.Yes, the mirror is very clean.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mirror” translations and entries दर्पण, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries दर्पण, CC BY-SA 4.0.
