अभ्यास
abhyāsa/ɐbʱ.jɑː.sɐ/
In Sanskrit, the word for practice is अभ्यास (abhyāsa).
अभ्यास (abhyāsa) refers to practice, repetition or the regular performance of an art, skill or knowledge.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is formed from the prefix abhi (towards/around) and the root ās (to sit/to dwell), which literally implies a repeated sitting or dwelling upon a subject to master it.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form changes depending on its role in a sentence. The accusative singular form अभ्यासं is used when practice is the direct object of a verb, such as in the phrase 'to do practice'. The locative singular form अभ्यासे can be used to mean 'in practice' or 'in the act of practicing'.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɐbʱ.jɑː.sɐ/
When do people say it?
While अभ्यास is used for general skill and knowledge, the term अनुष्ठान (anushtana) is used when referring to practice or performance in a ritualistic and traditional sense.
Did you know?
- In the 'Yoga Sutras' of Patanjali, अभ्यास is not just for physical skill but is a spiritual tool paired with 'detachment' to quiet the mind.
- The word अभ्यास shares a deep conceptual link with the idea of intense concentration, rather than just repetition.
- The word अभ्यास is related to the form अभ्याश.
Examples in context
- Yogam abhyasitum (योगं अभ्यासितुम्)To practice yoga
- नित्यं अभ्यासः आवश्यकः।nityaṃ abhyāsaḥ āvaśyakaḥ.Daily practice is necessary.
- तस्य अभ्यासः श्रेष्ठः अस्ति।tasya abhyāsaḥ śreṣṭhaḥ asti.His practice is excellent.
Example conversation
Aditya and Isha are discussing their music studies.
- आदित्य Adityaकिं त्वं संगीतस्य अभ्यासं करोषि?kiṃ tvaṃ saṅgītasya abhyāsaṃ karoṣi?Do you practice music?
- ईशा Ishaआम्, अहं प्रतिदिनं अभ्यासं करोमि।ām, ahaṃ pratidinaṃ abhyāsaṃ karomi.Yes, I practice every day.
- आदित्य Adityaतव अभ्यासः कथं अस्ति?tava abhyāsaḥ kathaṃ asti?How is your practice?
- ईशा Ishaमम अभ्यासः उत्तमः अस्ति।mama abhyāsaḥ uttamaḥ asti.My practice is good.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry अभ्यास, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries अभ्यास, CC BY-SA 4.0.
