Names of Body Parts in Sanskrit to learn easily

Learning the body parts name in Sanskrit can be incredibly beneficial for those studying the ancient language, as well as for those interested in yoga, Ayurveda, and other traditional Indian practices. Not only does it expand your vocabulary, but it also helps to deepen your understanding and connection to the rich cultural heritage of India.

In this blog post, we will explore the different body parts in Sanskrit, their meanings and pronunciations, and provide helpful diagrams and images to aid in understanding.

To start with, here I have provided some of the most commonly used body part’s name in Sanskrit and their usage in sentences:

14 Body parts name in Sanskrit and their use in Sanskrit sentences

Sanskrit names of parts of Head and Face

First, let’s start with the head and face.

The head & face in Sanskrit are known as:

Here are some more names of head “mastakam” (मस्तकम्), while the face is “ānanam” (आननम्). Face is also mukham (मुखम्) sometimes. Here are some Sanskrit Scripture references:

Head:

• Mastakam:
  • Ramayana:
    • “śiromaṇḍale ca mastake ca rudhiram pradadau” (Bala Kanda, Canto 36, Verse 17) – This verse describes the sprinkling of blood on Rama’s head (mastaka).
  • Mahabharata:
    • “sarojam mastake cakram udagrahitavan” (Anusasana Parva, Canto 149, Verse 77) – This verse describes Arjuna holding the discus (chakra) over his head (mastaka).
• Ānanam:
  • Bhagavad Gita:
    • “anandamukha-sarasya” (Chapter 9, Verse 21) – This phrase translates to “one whose face is the source of joy,” referring to Krishna.
  • Kalidasa’s Meghadūta:
    • “śrutadhvanisamīraṇaḥ phalaprabhavaḥ prāṇasya śubhrajaladharaḥ sugandhaḥ” (Verse 17) – This verse describes the cloud as having a face (ānanam) filled with the fragrance of flowers.

Face:

• Mukham:
  • Upanishads:
    • “yatha paṅkajaṁ suryasya kiranebhiḥ prabhātam yāti, tathā manasaḥ kiranebhiḥ brahman brahmānam yāti” (Kena Upanishad, Verse 3) – This verse compares the illumination of the lotus flower by the sun’s rays to the illumination of the mind (mukha) by the Brahman’s rays.
  • Bhagavad Gita:
    • “yadā sarve prabhāvante hṛdayānyakṣini caitanyam” (Chapter 15, Verse 12) – This verse describes the moment when all senses (mukha) and eyes become radiant.

Other parts of the head include the eyes, known as “netra” (नेत्र), and the ears, known as “karṇa” (कर्ण). The nose is “nāsā” (नासा) and the mouth is “mukha” (मुख). The tongue is “jihvā” (जिह्वा), and the teeth are “dantā” (दन्ता).

Also read about animal names in Sanskrit.

Sanskrit names of parts of Neck and Shoulders

The neck & shoulder in Sanskrit are known as:

Neck is sometimes also known as “grīvā” (ग्रीवा). Here is an explanation:

कण्ठः (kaṇṭhaḥ):

• More common: Generally, कण्ठः is the most widely used term for “neck” in Sanskrit literature. You’ll encounter it in various ancient texts and contemporary usage.
• Emphasis on throat: कण्ठः specifically refers to the throat area, including the voice box and surrounding muscles. It’s often used in contexts related to swallowing, speaking, or singing.
• Examples:
  • Ramayana: “rāmena kritakaṇṭho bhujavīraḥ paraśuṃ ca khadgam ca chakram ca dhritavān” (Bala Kanda, Canto 66, Verse 26) – This verse describes Rama holding a bow and weapons in his arms while standing with a taut throat (kṛtakaṇṭha).
  • Bhagavad Gita: “sarvaduḥkhavinirmukto mānadaṃ sukhadaḥ sukhanivāsī yathā brahmanam paraṃ kṣatraḥ kṣetrajñaḥ dhīraḥ nirmohah” (Chapter 18, Verse 51) – This verse describes a person free from sorrow (duḥkha), residing in happiness, knowing the supreme Brahman, as having a cleansed throat (kṛtakaṇṭha).

ग्रीवा (grīvā):

• Less common: Although valid, ग्रीवा is less frequently used than कण्ठः for “neck” in most standard Sanskrit literature.
• Emphasis on flexibility: ग्रीवा emphasizes the flexibility and movement of the neck. It’s often used in contexts related to bending, turning, or looking around.
• Examples:
  • Mahabharata: “utpasyatām gajānām śrotrāṇi prakarṣanti grīvāḥ” (Aranya Parva, Canto 55, Verse 16) – This verse describes elephants twisting their necks (grīvā) to uproot trees with their tusks.
  • Yoga Sutras: “yogaś citta-vṛtti-nirodhaḥ” (1.2) – This famous sutra mentions achieving yoga through the cessation of mental fluctuations (citta-vṛtti-nirodha), using ग्रीवा as a metaphor for the neck of the mind that needs to be steady.

The arms are “bāhu” (बाहु) and hands are “hasta” (हस्त). The fingers are “anguli” (अङ्गुलि) and the thumbs are “aṅgushṭha” (अङ्गुष्ठ).

You might also want to check, why Sanskrit is one of the most sacred and beautiful language in the world.

Sanskrit names of parts of Torso

The torso is also known as “kuṣṭha” (कुष्ठ) {and sometimes also known as धातुः} and includes vital organs such as the heart, known as “hṛdaya” (हृदय), and the lungs, known as “Phupphusa” (फुप्फुस). The liver is “yákṛt” (यकृत्) and the kidneys are “vṛikka” (वृक्कः). The stomach is “udaram” (उदरम्) and the intestines are “antram” (अन्त्रम्).

Sanskrit names of parts of Legs and Feet

The thigh are “ūrūḥ” (ऊरूः) and the feet are “pāda” (पाद). The knees are “jānu” (जानु) and the ankles are “ghutikā” (घुटिका). The toes are “padangushthah” (पदान्गुष्ठः) and the nails are “ṅakha” (नख).

Also check: Fruits Name In Sanskrit.

Here is all the body parts mentioned in a table for your convenience:

Here are some amazing images by प्रो.मदनमोहन झा. If you are keen to learning Sanskrit, you might want to start with Sanskrit Alphabets.

Female body parts name in Sanskrit

Male body parts name in Sanskrit

In addition to these body parts, it’s important to note that the Sanskrit language also has a rich vocabulary for describing various bodily functions, emotions and sensations. This can be very useful in yoga, Ayurveda, and other traditional Indian practices, where a deep understanding and connection to the body is essential.

Read more here:

• Sanskrit Words For Everyday Usage.
• Pratyay.
• Yan Sandhi | यण् सन्धिः
• सवर्णदीर्घसन्धिः | Savarna-deergha Sandhi