प्रतिज्ञा
pratijñā/pɾɐ.tid͡ʑ.ɲɑː/
In Sanskrit, the word for pledge is प्रतिज्ञा (pratijñā).
प्रतिज्ञा represents a solemn promise or commitment to uphold one's principles or carry out specific obligations.
Meaning: to make a solemn promise (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the prefix prati (towards/back) and the root jñā (to know), which literally implies a 'knowledge returned' or a formal declaration of intent.
Which one should you use?
While प्रतिज्ञा is a solemn promise, the term Sankalpa is used to refer to a personal determination or resolve to accomplish something.
How does it change in a sentence?
To use the word as an adjective meaning 'one who has made a pledge', you add the suffix -vat to the stem: use प्रतिज्ञावान् for a masculine subject and प्रतिज्ञावती for a feminine subject.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /pɾɐ.tidʑ.ɲɑː/.
Did you know?
- The root jñā used in प्रतिज्ञा is a distant linguistic relative of the English word 'know'.
- In some philosophical traditions, breaking a प्रतिज्ञा was considered a spiritual failure that required a specific ritual of atonement to correct.
- In many philosophical contexts, a प्रतिज्ञा is not just a promise to act, but a formal assertion of a truth that one knows to be certain.
Examples in context
- सः सत्यस्य प्रतिज्ञां करोति।saḥ satyasya pratijñāṃ karoti.He makes a pledge of truth.
- त्वं कां प्रतिज्ञां करोषि?tvaṃ kāṃ pratijñāṃ karoṣi?What pledge are you making?
- वयं राष्ट्रस्य प्रतिज्ञां कुर्मः।vayaṃ rāṣṭrasya pratijñāṃ kurmaḥ.We make a pledge to the nation.
Example conversation
Kavya and Aryan are discussing their new responsibilities at a school ceremony.
- काव्या Kavyaआर्यन, किं त्वं प्रतिज्ञां करिष्यसि?Āryana, kiṃ tvaṃ pratijñāṃ kariṣyasi?Aryan, what pledge will you make?
- आर्यन Aryanअहं सदा सत्यं वदिष्यामि इति प्रतिज्ञां करोमि।Ahaṃ sadā satyaṃ vadiṣyāmi iti pratijñāṃ karomi.I make a pledge that I will always speak the truth.
- काव्या Kavyaएषा उत्तमा प्रतिज्ञा अस्ति।Eṣā uttamā pratijñā asti.That is an excellent pledge.
- आर्यन Aryanधन्यवादः, काव्ये।Dhanyavādaḥ, Kāvye.Thank you, Kavya.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry प्रतिज्ञा, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
