Four names same meaning

Four sibling names, same meaning

As per the Mahābhārata, King Bhīmasena of Vidarbha had four children: Damayantī (दमयन्ती), Dama (दम), Dānta (दान्त), Damana (दमन). All these four names come from the same root √'dam' (दमुँ उपशमे) = "to be calm" or "to tame, to subdue, to conquer". They all have [almost] the same meaning. This is another example of how thoughtful our ancestors were in giving names to children. Let us understand each name one by one.

*Damayantī (दमयन्ती)*

Damayantī (दमयन्ती) means "she who subdues or conquers". दमयति (=दमयते) इति दमयन्ती (दम् + णिच् + शतृ + ङीप्). As per the Naiṣadhīyacarita (2.17), Damayantī was so named because with her beauty she subdued the pride of all beautiful women. In the Kumārī-sahasranāma of the Rudrayāmala-Tantra, Damayantī is name of Kumārī Devī.

*Dama (दम)*

The name Dama (दम) means "he who subdues or conquers". दाम्यतीति दमः (दम् + अच्). In the Viṣṇu-sahasranāma of the Mahābhārata's Anuśāsana-parvan, Dama is the 861st name of Viṣṇu (verse 13.149.105: धनुर्धरो धनुर्वेदो दण्डो दमयिता दमः). The Satyabhāṣya on this name says दमुँ उपशमे दैवादिकाद्धातोः पचाद्यच् प्रत्ययः कर्तरि.  

*Dānta (दान्त)*

The name Dānta (दान्त) means "he who has subdued or conquered [his senses]". दाम्यति स्म इति दान्तः (दम् + कर्तरि क्त). In the Śiva-sahasranāma of the Mahābhārata's Śānti-parvan, Dānta is a name of Śiva (verse 12.284.151: भूर्भुवः स्वरितश्चैव ध्रुवो दान्तो महेश्वरः). Nīlakaṇṭha says in his commentary on this name: दान्तो जितेन्द्रियः.

*Damana (दमन)*

Finally, the name Damana (दमन) also means "he who subdues or conquers". दमयति (=दमयते) इति दमनः (दम् + णिच् + ल्यु, सहितपिदमेः संज्ञायाम्). As per the Viṣṇu-sahasranāma of the Mahābhārata's Anuśāsana-parvan, Damana is the 190th name of Viṣṇu (verse 13.149.34: मरीचिर्दमनो हंसः सुपर्णो भुजगोत्तमः). Again, as per the Śiva-sahasranāma of the Mahābhārata's Anuśāsana-parvan, Damana is the 886th name of Śiva (verse 13.17.138: महाप्रसादो दमनः शत्रुहा श्वेतपिङ्गलः).

Illustration: Damayantī and the Swan by M. V. Dhurandhar (in "Tales from the Indian Epics")