My Favourite Words – I

I always say words are beautiful. I not only love words but also their etymology.

I guess the most beautiful words in any vocabulary are Mother and father. When a baby first lisps the word Maa it’s a moment of profound happiness and pride for the parents.

Love is another word which is getting erased not from our language but from our hearts. We are so hell bent on being competitive, ambitious and rivalry conscious that we are forgetting the softer sensibilities which bind us as humans since time immemorial.

Compassion is another word which should be like an every day reminder. We should not only be compassionate to human beings but all living creatures, nature and mother earth. If we recall this word on daily basis perhaps we will be a little more alert about our role in conservation and preservation of our flora and fauna and natural resources and perceive our fellow beings in the light of universal brotherhood.

Ethics is a word which conveys the highest value. It has also become the core tenet of corporate governance and business transactions. In addition, it is an approach , a mindset and a way of perception of life itself which enriches, enlightens and elevates mankind to another level. Ethics is just not a word but an entire cultural ethos.

Melody, we all know, is musical. The Universe is replete with melodious notes. It is human limitation that we can only sing on seven distinctive notes. But in the ever expanding realm of divine creation music is infinite.

Beauty is a boon endowed on us by God. Humans are the only beings who can perceive and appreciate beauty of creativity. It is utmost important that we hold on to this ability of ours to acknowledge the bounties by which we are blessed , perceive God’s handiwork in the littlest of objects and solemnly pledge not to let it be destroyed by callous hands.

Nurture is a word which symbolises growth and development. A mother nurtures a family. It is our duty to nurture mother Earth and it’s treasures.

Cosmos is what we are part of. It is a word which is difficult to visualise. Have we been able to imagine the vastness associated with the word we would have realised how miniscule are we and how our conceit as the most superior being is so false and foolish.

Happiness is what we all crave for. We look for it outside but it resides within. A contented person is always happy. A disgruntled person is always unhappy. Contentment is in our hands. It is not possible to own the world. Whatever has come our way we deserve that much only. So don’t worry be happy.

Soul is such a beatific expression. “She is my soul mate”. “I see his soul in his eyes.” ” My soul is free.” So many connotations of a single word! Soul is like a mirror in which you see your true self. Soul is a bond which connects you to others. Soul is freedom. Uplifting! Immortal! “Soul marches on”, says Swami Yoganandaji even if one is not aware of it. It is evolving in its spectral journey.

Ephemeral is a word which depicts the fragility and transience of everything. Every moment is whimsical and flies away in a nano second. We cannot cling to it. But we cling to its memories.

Epiphany is the awareness of the larger picture which is eclipsed by clutter. When we experience it we get goosebumps. It reveals to us the enormity of what is beyond our vision, what is not easily unraveled, what we call the lifetime’s revelation. Epiphanic moments are the aha factors of life. The serendipitous awakening which leaves us awestruck and dumbfounded.

It is hard to choose a word that is most favourite. To a writer all words are like his/her children. Can a parent dissociate from one and get connected to another offspring. Not possible.

It is relevant to mention that words become meaningful when they are understood as expressions defining thoughts or actions. Word gathers depth when we consider it as just not a conjugation of letters but what it is supposed connote for the society and human civilization at large.

And above all, we are here talking only about one particular language -English. It is necessary to keep in mind that there are innumerable other languages and dialects having such words which are deeply embedded in respective cultures and even untranslatable. They have their own beauty, significance and depth of meaning.

Let’s not be constrained only by one language.

Let’s respect all languages equally.