एक बूंद सौ समंदर
/ek buːnd sɔː səməndər/A metaphor expressing that even a small entity or action can embody vast depth, complexity, or potential.
उस एक गीत में एक बूंद सौ समंदर की तरह भावनाएँ हैं।
That single song contains emotions like a drop holding a hundred oceans.
उस व्यक्ति की साधारण सी मुस्कान में एक बूंद सौ समंदर का अर्थ छिपा था।
In that person's simple smile lay the meaning of a hundred oceans in a single drop.
Often used in poetry, philosophy, or spiritual contexts to convey the idea that small things can hold immense significance or wisdom.
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💡Pro Tip
Cultural Context
This idiom is deeply rooted in Indian philosophical traditions, particularly in the concept of 'Brahmand in anu' (universe in an atom), found in Vedantic texts. It’s often used to describe how profound ideas or emotions can be conveyed through simple means.
⚡Gold Rule
Usage Scenario
Use this idiom when describing how something small (a word, gesture, or object) carries immense meaning or emotional depth. For example, a single line of poetry that encapsulates vast human experiences.
📖Word Origin
The phrase combines 'एक बूंद' (ek bund, 'one drop') and 'सौ समंदर' (sau samandar, 'hundred oceans'), rooted in ancient Hindi/Urdu poetic traditions. It reflects the Sufi and Vedantic philosophy of microcosm-macrocosm (Brahmand in anu), where the smallest unit contains the essence of the whole universe.
📝Usage Notes
Primarily used in literary, philosophical, or emotional contexts rather than everyday conversation. Common in Hindi/Urdu poetry and spiritual discourses.