चन्दन
candana/t͡ɕɐn.dɐ.nɐ/masculine
Sandalwood in Sanskrit is चन्दन (candana).
The term refers to the aromatic heartwood of trees belonging to the genus Santalum.
Meaning: the aromatic heartwood of the trees of the genus Santalum (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
चन्दन is used as a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /tɕɐn.dɐ.nɐ/. The romanization is candana and it consists of 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- In classical Sanskrit texts, चन्दन is sometimes used as a symbolic opposite to 'fire' because of its cooling properties on the skin and mind.
- Although many Sanskrit scholars link चन्दन to the root meaning 'to shine', the word is likely a loanword from Dravidian languages like Tamil.
- Sanskrit literature often uses चन्दन as a metaphor for someone who remains calm and virtuous even when surrounded by those who are hostile.
Examples in context
- चन्दन सुगन्धितं भवति।candana sugandhitaṃ bhavati.Sandalwood is fragrant.
- मम हृदये चन्दनस्य गन्धः अस्ति।mama hṛdaye candanasya gandhaḥ asti.There is the scent of sandalwood in my heart.
Example conversation
Kavya and Aryan are at a market looking at incense.
- काव्या Kavyaआर्यन, किं एतत् चन्दनं अस्ति?Āryan, kiṃ etat candanaṃ asti?Aryan, is this sandalwood?
- आर्यन Aryanआम्, एतत् शुद्धं चन्दनं अस्ति।Ām, etat śuddhaṃ candanaṃ asti.Yes, this is pure sandalwood.
- काव्या Kavyaतस्य गन्धः अति मधुरः अस्ति।Tasya gandhaḥ ati madhuraḥ asti.Its scent is very sweet.
- आर्यन Aryanसत्यम्, अतः एतत् क्रेयाम।Satyam, ataḥ etat kreyāma.True, therefore let us buy this.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sandalwood” translations and entries चन्दन, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries चन्दन, CC BY-SA 4.0.
