अभिलाषा (abhilaashaa)

noun A refined, somewhat literary word for a deep wish or longing -- the kind of desire you'd write in a poem or a formal letter, not blurt out at the dinner table.
Sense 1 : a deep desire, longing, or aspiration
noun, feminine
Synonyms: इच्छा (ichchhaa), चाह (chaah), कामना (kaamnaa), आकांक्षा (aakaankshaa, formal), लालसा (laalsaa, stronger craving)
Frequency: low
Cultural Note: You'll meet this word in wedding invitations, school farewell speeches, or devotional contexts ('ईश्वर से यही अभिलाषा है' (iishvar se yahii abhilaashaa hai, 'this alone is my wish from God')) far more often than in everyday chat. It sits a notch above इच्छा (ichchhaa) and चाह (chaah) in formality -- think 'aspiration' or 'heartfelt wish' rather than plain 'want.'
Common Mistakes: 1) Learners often reach for अभिलाषा (abhilaashaa) where इच्छा (ichchhaa) would sound far more natural -- अभिलाषा (abhilaashaa) belongs in writing, speeches, or greeting-card sentiment, not casual requests like 'I want tea.' 2) It takes the same construction as इच्छा (ichchhaa) -- ...की अभिलाषा है (...kii abhilaashaa hai) or ...की अभिलाषा रखना (...kii abhilaashaa rakhnaa) -- rather than being used as a verb itself.
Sample Sentences:
मेरी यही अभिलाषा है कि मेरे बच्चे अच्छी शिक्षा पाएँ। This alone is my aspiration -- that my children receive a good education.
(merii yahii abhilaashaa hai ki mere bachche achchhii shikshaa paaen।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Subjunctive -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
ईश्वर से यही अभिलाषा है कि सबका जीवन सुखी हो। This alone is my wish from God -- that everyone's life be happy.
(iishvar se yahii abhilaashaa hai ki sabkaa jiivan sukhii ho।)
Register: Devotional -- Mood: Subjunctive -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
उसकी अभिलाषा थी कि वह एक दिन देश का नाम रोशन करे। It was his aspiration that one day he would bring glory to the nation's name.
(uskii abhilaashaa thii ki vah ek din desh kaa naam roshan kare।)
Register: Literary -- Mood: Subjunctive -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Active
यदि मन में सच्ची अभिलाषा हो, तो मार्ग स्वयं मिल जाता है। If there is a true aspiration in the heart, the path finds itself.
(yadi man men sachchii abhilaashaa ho, to maarg svayan mil jaataa hai।)
Register: Literary -- Mood: Subjunctive -- Aspect: Habitual -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
विदाई समारोह में उन्होंने अपनी अभिलाषा व्यक्त की कि विद्यालय सदा उन्नति करता रहे। At the farewell ceremony, she expressed her aspiration that the school keep progressing forever.
(vidaaii samaaroh men unhonne apnii abhilaashaa vyakt kii ki vidyaalay sadaa unnti kartaa rahe।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Active
काश मेरी वह अभिलाषा पूरी हो जाती जो मैंने बचपन में देखी थी। If only that aspiration of mine, which I had in childhood, had come true.
(kaash merii vah abhilaashaa poorii ho jaatii jo mainne bachpan men dekhii thii।)
Register: Literary -- Mood: Counterfactual -- Aspect: Habitual -- Voice: Active
इस पत्र के माध्यम से हम आपके उज्ज्वल भविष्य की अभिलाषा करते हैं। Through this letter, we express our aspiration for your bright future.
(is patr ke maadhyam se ham aapke ujjval bhavishy kii abhilaashaa karte hain।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Habitual -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
उसकी अभिलाषा है कि वह हिमालय की चोटियों तक पहुँचे। It is his longing to reach the peaks of the Himalayas.
(uskii abhilaashaa hai ki vah himaalay kii chotiyon tak pahunche।)
Register: Literary -- Mood: Subjunctive -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
संत की अभिलाषा केवल आत्मज्ञान की प्राप्ति थी, धन या यश की नहीं। The saint's aspiration was only the attainment of self-knowledge, not wealth or fame.
(sant kii abhilaashaa keval aatmgyaan kii praapti thii, dhan yaa yash kii nahiin।)
Register: Devotional -- Mood: Indicative -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Active
Morphology
Noun
(sg.f.direct): अभिलाषा (abhilaashaa)
(sg.f.oblique): अभिलाषा (abhilaashaa)
(pl.f.direct): अभिलाषाएँ (abhilaashaaen)
(pl.f.oblique): अभिलाषाओं (abhilaashaaon)