What is in a name?

What is in a name? 

June 22, 2016
          I just happen to click one of those funtests game on fb which are supposed to say nice things about you. This one was Meaning of your name… I was in for a surprise.!

 This result says:
It means JOY....
          You've got a really special name!.. Your happiness brightens the days of your friends and family like a glorious sunrise in the countryside. There's nothing but pure happiness in your smile!....

Strange that it should say so...
          When I was a child I never cared for my name. I thought it was lame. In my teenage years the name took a some meaning to me as my adoration shifted to hero worship of my father. So in accordance to girinandini in my mind I was my father's beloved daughter as each one of us female species are to our father. But I was wrong....!!!!!!!
       

Revd Swami Gautamanandaji had pointed out many yrs ago in the UK Vedanta Centre.. He had asked in his typical way: "Nandini..! Your name is nandini. Do you know what it means?"
I proudly replied with my 35 yrs of knowledge.."yes, beloved daughter, father's beloved daughter".
He said "No..!" and added to my shocked silence " it means one who spreads delight"... 😱
... Of course I was skeptical.. Please don't tell him..!!

Quite a few years later I repeated this incident to Revd. Swami Dayatmanandaji Mj..

          He clarified that "Nandini comes from the word "Anandini" one who is of the nature of Ananda and hence gives ananda,- bliss"...

          Again this is a beautiful reminder to what I should be, should become... 

          Names have an inherent divine meaning. Names given to us by our parents are the greatest gift. It reminds us everyday what we should become, what divine attribute we should imbibe and manifest..

         With heartfelt pranams to Ma, Baba, chotomama(who actually chose this name, Baba had chosen Mallika), Revd. Sw. Gautamanandaji and Revd. Sw. Dayatmanandaji for this name Nandini. And its meaning. 

Signed..A grateful soul