Everyone has a name.Each name has a story behind it. It is a gift that cannot be refused or put aside. It is a gift that is accepted and cherished and constitutes one's identity. It is a gift for a lifetime and more, because after our death, it is what remains behind. Our name, our memories are what our loved ones hold onto. Often, the name given to us, its meaning and the reason behind the name are discussed in the family before naming the child. Each person's name is kept with a different reason in mind. This helps give each person their own identity and individuality. Often children have the same names as their grandparents so that their memories live on in their children along with hopes and dreams and aspirations of a new and better future.
My name is Radha Pavitra. Radha or Radhe or Radhika Or Radha Rani is one of the principal gopis of Vrndavana and Lord Shri Krishna. The name is of Sanskrit origin. It means "The one who is the bestower of the ultimate divine bliss"."Radha" is "Dhara" of Krishna Prema. Pavitra is of Sanskrit origin and means "she is Pure". It is also one among the one thousand names of Shrimati Radha Rani. When my mother was expecting me and went to the doctor for her checkup, the doctor asked her if she and my father had any particular gender in mind for the baby and also asked if my parents had any problem with having a girl child. My mother told that she did not have any particular gender in mind and also told the doctor that she and my father had no problem with having a girl child. My parents and my family did not want to name me after my grandmother because they didn't want me to face problems in life like she had. But my name (Pavitra) rhymes with her name (Sumitra). I have a brother who is four years elder to me. His name (even he has two names) starts with the the same letter as my mother's name - "S". She wanted her second child to have a name with the same starting letter as my father - "P". So when I was born, the two names that they had to pick from were" Pavitra" and "Parijata". Parijata is the celestial flower which is the best flower to offer to Lord Krishna. Both these names were chosen from the Vishnusahasranama which my grandmother and my mother recited everyday when my mother was expecting both my brother and me. My parents decided to call me Pavitra. When my mother gave birth to me, the doctor who delivered me told my mother that Radhe had come home to her because she always chanted the Lord's name. So my parents decided to call me Radhe. But my grandfather told my parents to call me Radha instead of Radhe. Hence the name - Radha Pavitra.
I am the second girl to be born after my atte (father's elder sister) in my father's side of my family. I have an elder brother of my own, three elder and one younger cousin brother. Being the only girl among five boys, i get a lot of attention and pampering whenever i got to Hyderabad to visit my cousins. My atte was so happy that a girl was born in the family that she and my aunt came to Bangalore from Hyderabad to see me. She also distributed sweets to all her co-workers.
People keep asking me why I have two names. Honestly, I myself didn't know why till I was asked to write about it. Now, I'm very proud to have been given two beautiful names.....
During my Naming Ceremony...!!!
