darshan

Where does the word "darshan" come from? It comes from Sanskrit darshana, passing through Hindi before entering English (19th-20th c.).

Darshan’s story begins in Sanskrit: darshana meant “sight, vision.” From a root meaning 'to see', denoting vision or sight. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Hindi as darshan. Narrowed to mean the auspicious viewing of a deity or holy person. It reached English by 19th-20th c. as darshan. First recorded in 1920 in the writing of Mahatma Gandhi. Today, darshan means in Hindu practice, the auspicious act of seeing and being seen by a deity, revered teacher, or sacred image.

1. Stage 1 · Sanskrit · ancient darshana "sight, vision", from a root meaning 'to see', denoting vision or sight.
2. Stage 2 · Hindi · medieval darshan "the auspicious viewing of a deity or holy person", narrowed to mean the auspicious viewing of a deity or holy person.
3. Stage 3 · English · 19th-20th c. darshan "the beholding of a deity, revered person, or sacred object", first recorded in 1920 in the writing of Mahatma Gandhi.