डाकिनी
ḍākinī/ɖɑː.ki.niː/
The Sanskrit word for witch is डाकिनी (ḍākinī).
डाकिनी is a noun used to refer to a person who uses magic.
Meaning: person who uses magic (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ɖɑː.ki.niː/. It has three syllables: ḍā-ki-nī.
Did you know?
- The concept of the डाकिनी traveled from India to Tibet, where they became known as Dakini and remain central to Vajrayana Buddhism.
- In Hindu mythology, a डाकिनी is not always a villainous figure, but can be a powerful female spirit or a divine attendant in certain tantric traditions.
- While डाकिनी refers to a witch, Sanskrit also uses the term मायाविन for a male practitioner of magic, focusing on the word माया meaning 'illusion'.
Examples in context
- सा एका डाकिनी अस्ति।sā ekā ḍākinī asti.She is a witch.
- डाकिनी वने वसति।ḍākinī vane vasati.The witch lives in the forest.
- डाकिनी मायां करोति।ḍākinī māyāṃ karoti.The witch performs magic.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing an old local legend.
- मीरा Miraकिं त्वं डाकिनीं पश्यसि?kiṃ tvaṃ ḍākinīṃ paśyasi?Do you see the witch?
- आर्यन Aryanन, अहं न पश्यामि।na, ahaṃ na paśyāmi.No, I do not see her.
- मीरा Miraसा डाकिनी अत्र अस्ति।sā ḍākinī atra asti.That witch is right here.
- आर्यन Aryanतत्र कोऽपि नास्ति।tatra ko'pi nāsti.There is no one there.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry डाकिनी, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
