Wednesday, April 3

What does Samkamana Gamana mean?


Very loosely, as the blog name suggests, Sankamana Gamana means Shifting Pace. But, frankly I did not come across those two words together anywhere (would love to know if someone has!). But individually, each word has a lot of meaning.

Gamana: A Sanskrit word, it has usage in several Indian languages and means 'pace'. Literally it can be used for either 'going' or 'coming'. But based on the context, it can mean travel, movement, departure, walking, shifting. What it primarily symbolises is change in a physical sense.

Sankamana: This is a more complex word with many different and varied interpretations. Also, the word had usage in several ancient languages like Pali, Prakrit along with Sanskrit. Since it has very limited usage in Sanskrit, I assume it was primarily Pali. That could also be the reason why the word has many references in Buddhist scriptures. Some of the meanings include: going over (steps, bridge, passage, etc), move in a (undefined) direction, bringing change, being doubtful (Sanskrit).

So, I presume, when used together they would mean a careful, calculated, slow change in movement, a shift in pace (towards a positive direction).

For me it the slow change I am trying to bring in my life towards sustainability!

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