Santosh
Encyclopedia
Santosh also spelled as 'Santhosh', is a common Hindu
male name which is derived from the Sanskrit
word "Santōṣa" or Santosha
. Santosh means contentment and also happiness. It is the second of the five yogic principles (Niyama
) as listed by Patanjali
and provides a foundation for selfless living, wisdom and peace of mind.
Other meanings of the word Santosh are "Satisfaction", "Gratification" or "Happiness". In South Indian languages, Santosh, often means happiness. Depending on the region of usage, the variants of Santosh are "Santhosham", "Santhoshi", "Santhosha" or "Santoshi". Santosh or Santoshi is also sometimes an Indian female name.
In some parts of the country, people name their children 'Santhosh' in devotion to Goddess Santoshi Mata
. It is common practice in India to keep a Santhoshi Mata Vratham (fasting) to please the Goddess. It is so believed that fasting and praying for her for 16 consecutive Fridays brings peace and prosperity in one's family.
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
male name which is derived from the Sanskrit
Sanskrit
Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...
word "Santōṣa" or Santosha
Santosha
Santosha is one of the niyamas of Yoga as listed by Patanjali. Contentment is variously described, but can be thought of as not requiring more than you have to achieve contentment...
. Santosh means contentment and also happiness. It is the second of the five yogic principles (Niyama
Niyama
Niyama generally denotes a duty or obligation adopted by a spiritual aspirant , or prescribed by a guru or by scripture...
) as listed by Patanjali
Patañjali
Patañjali is the compiler of the Yoga Sūtras, an important collection of aphorisms on Yoga practice. According to tradition, the same Patañjali was also the author of the Mahābhāṣya, a commentary on Kātyāyana's vārttikas on Pāṇini's Aṣṭādhyāyī as well as an unspecified work of medicine .In...
and provides a foundation for selfless living, wisdom and peace of mind.
Other meanings of the word Santosh are "Satisfaction", "Gratification" or "Happiness". In South Indian languages, Santosh, often means happiness. Depending on the region of usage, the variants of Santosh are "Santhosham", "Santhoshi", "Santhosha" or "Santoshi". Santosh or Santoshi is also sometimes an Indian female name.
In some parts of the country, people name their children 'Santhosh' in devotion to Goddess Santoshi Mata
Santoshi Mata
Santoshi Mata or Santoshi Maa is a relatively new goddess in the Hindu pantheon. She is venerated as "the Mother of Satisfaction", the meaning of her name. Santoshi Mata is particularly worshipped by women of North India and Nepal...
. It is common practice in India to keep a Santhoshi Mata Vratham (fasting) to please the Goddess. It is so believed that fasting and praying for her for 16 consecutive Fridays brings peace and prosperity in one's family.