This is indeed about my name. I have been asked several times about the meaning of my name and my lazy self decided to write a post once and share it henceforth! I could see you smirking at my laziness, but as ever, I couldn’t cut short the meaning into a line or two and I also think that the name deserves a post of its own. Hence, without further ado, here is the story of Aadhirai.
There are Five great epics in Tamizh literature. One of them is Manimekalai.
The title character, Manimekalai, has a special bowl, amutha surabhi (something similar to cornucopia), which gives food forever and it never empties, so she could feed the needy. When she received that bowl, it came with a condition. It will start repleting itself only if it receives alms from a person so pure and generous.
அமுத சுரபிக்கே அமுதிட்டவள் ஆதிரை.. That is Aadhirai. The one who gave alms to Amudha surabhi itself..
This is the first info I learnt about her and it made me search, What’s so special about her? And here’s her story. She is the wife of a merchant named Saadhuvan. They were a lovely couple. He went in search of wealth, to far away countries in ship. The ship wrecked and he was swept ashore in some uncivilized island. He took it up on him to teach them civilisation and Buddhism, which ultimately made him the king of that island and he completely forgot about Aadhirai.
Unlike him, she was dutifully waiting for him to return even after years. When she came to know that the ship he traveled was wrecked, she lost her hope in return. And in line with the custom prevalent at that time, she walked in fire to give up herself.
The fire couldn’t burn her for she was that devoted to her husband and she heard a voiceover saying that he is alive and the same person who gave the voiceover, went on to push a reminder to Saadhuvan that she is waiting for him. And eventually he returned with huge wealth and they lived happily ever after.
I am not commenting on the possibility or actuality of the story, for the first part was enough for me to fall in love with this name. And for sure, this back story didn’t hurt. Why would a happily ever after story would? 😉
I also came to know that Aadhirai is the name of a star. Ah! Now I am a star!! And now its time for you to add sparkle to this star with a like and extend the rays with few words in comments and expand my sky by sharing this post! 😉
Thanks for this story aadhi… Have read about amuthasurabhi but didn’t check for more… Beautiful story! And a stae indeed! 🙂
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Thanks dear.. 🙂
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Okay, Amudhukae amudhita aadhirai, nice post! 😀 Good to hear that you are a star, too. 😛
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😉 Nanri! 😀
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What a lovely Post, but I have a question. Your name shows as Aadhira, and I have always addressed you as such……… but every now and then, it is spelled Aadhirai. What is the significance of the ” i ” on the end?
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That’s just a variation of the name Aadhirai.. The proper name is Aadhirai and often cut short to Aadhira or Aadhi.. Feel free to address as you prefer.. 😉
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Lovely story, but I have one follow-up question, why Aadhira? If a contraction is what you wanted, Aadhi would sound better, wouldn’t it? 😛 🙂
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Aadhi might have created a confusion about my gender, for its more common as a guy’s name.. 😉
But now I’m wondering whether that would have been better.. 😉 😛
Anyway, while registering wp I chose Aadhira, for who-remembers-that reason and I’m using whichever I prefer at the moment.. So please feel free to come up with your version as you wish.. 😉
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I believe that your femininity should be celebrated so let’s forget Aadhi and stick with either Aadhira or Aadhirai. For the record, I respond to either Colin or Col! 🙂
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Just to the either of them?! 😉
Because, I’ve been getting many replies, even without either of the addressing and I’m starting to wonder, whether Ray started mimicking your replies too.. 😛
And yes, come let’s celebrate! 😀
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You are correct…. I also respond to Ray, but only in the blogosphere! 🙂
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Haha.. I meant that whether Ray is typing on your behalf.. 😉
But yes you do respond to Ray too.. 🙂
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Well, to be honest, Aadhira wasn’t gender specific for me either, but then it shouldn’t matter too much. 🙂
Aadhirai is nice and I think I’ll use it for the present! 🙂
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Thanks for preferring Aadhirai.. 🙂
I’m happy to have a comment from you and not bothered about the version of name.. 😉
I wish there is a pun in the present and looking forward to open it.. 😉 😛
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I had this Aadhirai Aadhira confusion too because in Malayalam it is normally Aathira for the thiruvathira star. I presumed it would be something like how Devatha is referred to as as Devathai 🙂
I had no idea there was a story behind Aadhira and it is indeed beautiful. It is like Panchali’s akshayapatra.
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Thanks dear.. 🙂
I think this akshayapatra had some connection with the other one too.. Not sure about it though.. 🙂
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Great story….and nice name…
shreyans
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Thank you Shreya! 🙂 🙂 🙂
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Its shreyans.)
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Oops! Sorry Shreyans.. Will remember next time.. 🙂
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Yes…no problem…)
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Good posts, nice blog …
Congratulations.
I invite you to see my creations:
http://www.paintdigi.wordpress.com
Welcome.
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Thank you.. Will check..
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Cool name and cool post! If you have the time could you check out my blog? Thankyouuu:)))
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Thank you.. 🙂 Will check.. 🙂
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hmmmm..so much behind those eight letters!!!
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Yup!
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Aha! I got a beautiful star. Aadhira, you sounds great. I read the whole story and comments too. It’s pleasing girl. I am feeling good as coming across your blog.
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I have been blessed with a baby girl and am planning to name her Aadhira… But since it comes in the first place in the alhabetical order, I do not want her to be the first person during her class viva or exam paper corrections. ;). Can u suggest me some other prefix for aadhira?
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Hearty Congratulations on baby girl.. And may God bless your kid with all the happiness, abundance, kindness and a wonderful life for the little angel.. 🙂
Oops.. Am too late in taking up that offer of suggesting prefix, I guess.. I would personally choose the name as such without prefix, as I have crossed over the system of education with my name in the first place.. And it has motivated me in turn to be ahead at all fronts.. Hope your kid will also be the leader and master of many talents..
I couldn’t come up with any prefix to the name immediately.. If you still want a prefix let me know..
I am very eager to know what is the name you went with..
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I named my kid Aadhirai today. Quite knew the story of Aadhirai and her husband, but not the Akshyapatra part. Good one.
I too had confusion if it should be Aadhira or Aadhirai, but decided for Aadhirai as it sounds complete. 😉
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Happy to know a new generation kid with such a sweet name.. May God Bless Aadhirai with abundance, good health and a happy life! Vaazhga pallaandu.. 🙂
I too feel Aadhirai as complete and more closer to heart than Aadhira.. 🙂
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Hi… Came up to ur ripples while searching for the meaning of aadhirai as i am planning to keep the name for my baby girl… Thanks for the details n its a go green for the name 🙂
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##Grins like a Cheshire cat##
I’m so happy to green flag that name.. May your little star bring health, wealth and prosperity to you as she prospers all through her life with joy, abundance, kindness, good health and every other good thing that exists in her lifetime.. 🙂
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Hi Aadhirai !,
I always have this habit of searching similar people with my daughter’s name or sometimes love to read the history behind it in different versions 🙂 Yes my daughter’s name is “Aadhira” and she’s going to turn one soon 🙂 We only knew that it was a pure Tamil name but got to know the story behind it only recently and we are very happy about it 🙂
I do sometimes feel that it should have been “Aadhirai”, But the proud history behind it just brushes of the hunch looking it at as an extended version !!!
And yes “Thiruvadhirai” is my star too !!! I feel so connected with the name, my star versus mom and daughter . How I was connected to her even before she was born !!!
Anyways it was great to have visited your blog and proud that many of us have taken up this name and making it more popular 🙂
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My daughters name is Aadhira. Named her after reading manimegalai.
Nice read.
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Happy to know that! 😊
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Hi,
Today i have named my daughter as aadhira. And there was some person saying some historical stuff and i was thinking whether i did any wrong while choosing this name. And i surfed the net and found your blog. Now i feel relieved. And indeed proud for naming her as “Aadhira” and i am also happy that you are so bold and authoritative with your blog and i my daughter would also be bold like you with crisp words.
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Dear Mr. Raj,
I’ve read somewhere that the name has an impact on the person.. And I do know for a fact now that your daughter is going to make the best of her life in every situation and make everyone around her proud with her mere presence as well as her actions!
May God bless her with abundance and health!
Please don’t have any more second thoughts.. And am so elated to know that I could make you assured of that..
PS: I’ve received so many comments over the blog about my creativity and this is the first time, I’m hearing about “bold and authoritative”.. You’ve hit the mark about my personality.. Hats off to you and that makes me feel assured that you would be a great dad, just like mine.. 🙂
Cheers!
Aadhira
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Just like Raj here, I love the name Aadhirai and I am trying to convince my wife to name my soon-to-be born daughter with the same. I know it means that it is a star. Does it have other meanings that you have come across? Also, do ppl often shorten your name as Aadhi? My best friend is named the same and I would have second thoughts about naming my daughter after him 🙂
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Congratulations and hearty prayers for the soon to be born baby and your family.. 😊
I’ve not yet come across any other meaning for the name, except as mentioned in the post..
As it’s only my pen-name, I’ve no personal experience with shortened form.. But I guess, I too would shorten it to Aadhi, when it is to call someone..
Since I’ve a friend, who’s a girl, named as Aditya and sure we call her Aadhi.. Also there’s another named Surya.. So I think it’s how we take it rather than what’s others are going to think..
FYI, some of my online friends on the other side of globe had no idea on the gender of Aadhirai, when I first talked to..
So go with your heart and bring up your princess with courage and all good things.. So she would shine on her own character and let her character add charm to the name.. For a rose is a rose, by whatever name it’s called.. 😉
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Wow! Happy to see your blog.
This is Aadhirai. And I am glad that someone is so bold as me with my name.
As you said everyone who asks for my name always ask the meaning of it. And I am so proud that I knew the meaning of my name since my childhood and I always give the whole detail of my name.
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Happy to see you here and even more glad to know someone who likes to tell the whole story behind the name, just like me.. 🙂
Hope to see you around more.. 🙂
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This is Gopal. I have a baby who is 2 months old and Aadhira is one of the names that I shortlisted. Very glad to have found your blog and happy that I have considered this name. However have few concerns..
1 . The name would be obviously make it to the first in the roll in her classroom – I’m afraid I’ll be blamed later by my very daughter for this:)
2. Has it been ever difficult to pronounce the name? Incorrect pronunciations? Spelling? Any one shared anything like that with you?
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Hi,
Congratulations and hearty wishes to your family and lovely daughter!
Honest disclaimer, this is only my pen name. And also, I was always the first in my class roll, yet, I’ve never complained about it till today. It has its own benefits at times. I was named specifically to be first in roll and everything else. I think I did well overall.
As for pronunciation, the keralites prefer it to call it as Aathira and for spelling, yes it will be in few other forms.
My personal opinion, I love this name so very much and it also has been lucky to me. I wish her all the goodness and greatness and I believe that, she will become a very strong and a brilliant personality in her own right.
A rose is a rose, by whatever name it’s called. So go with your heart, and she will definitely grow to love it. For a father’s gift is always appreciated by a daughter and you will be her hero.
Once again, hearty wishes to you and your family!
Cheers!
Aadhira
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Sirapana vilakkam to your beautiful name😊😊❤
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It gave me goose bumps while reading the story
It gave me the meaning about what is pure heart it, if you are pure in heart you be with GOD.
I have landed up here will start to follow your blogs.
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Welcome to the blog.. Hope you like what you see around here.. 😊
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Hi Aadhirai,
Good to know the story behind. Nice name.
I think you would have been the first always in attendance in your school/colleges. Did you face any difficulties with that?
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