Dec16,2025
The word Mayur originates from ancient Sanskrit texts such as the Vedas, Puranas, Kalidasa’s Meghaduta, and Amarakosha, where the peacock is consistently referred to as Mayūra, making it the original and authoritative name.
Linguists trace Mayur to the Sanskrit root “ma”, associated with joy, delight, or intoxication of beauty. The peacock’s dazzling feathers and graceful dance are believed to “delight the mind,” justifying the name.
In Indian tradition, Mayur is closely linked to the monsoon. Ancient scholars observed that peacocks dance before rainfall, earning them a revered place in Sanskrit poetry and reinforcing the name’s cultural weight.
The peacock is the vahana (vehicle) of Lord Kartikeya (Murugan). Sacred texts use the term Mayur to describe this divine mount, symbolising victory over ego and darkness.
Renowned Sanskrit dictionaries like Amarakosha list Mayur as the primary and classical term for peacock, proving its linguistic legitimacy and continuity.
Some scholars believe Mayur echoes the rhythmic and resonant call of the peacock, aligning with Sanskrit’s tendency to name creatures based on sound patterns (dhvani).