Re: Nimai
in reply to a message by Sofia
No idea in that context, but the American society is pretty mixed, so just wanted to mention that there is a Bengal name nimAi. It originates from the Sanskrit nimba, a tree (Azadirachta indica) with edible bitter leaves (and fruits) with unknown etymology; which became nIm in modern north Indian languages. It is a standard example of bitter, both as a delicacy and as something to be avoided: a common Bengali well wish of sisters for their brothers is that the brothers be as bitter as nIm so that the God of death avoid them. Such wishes may be the original reason for naming a baby nimAi (`of nIm'), but the famous late 15th early 16th century nimAi was also reputed to have been born under or near a well known nIm tree. This person is better known as Chaitanya and he started a movement which ultimately led to the Hare Krishna or Krishna Consciousness movements in the west. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaitanya for more on him: most Bengalis today will recognize him as nimAi, and the name is in common use.
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Nimai  ·  Sofia  ·  9/27/2008, 4:28 AM
Re: Nimai  ·  তন্ময় ভট  ·  10/1/2008, 8:51 PM
Re: Nimai  ·  Sofia  ·  10/2/2008, 3:33 AM