आस्था रखना in 30 Seconds
- Āsthā rakhnā means to have deep, often spiritual, faith or conviction.
- It is a formal and serious phrase, used for God, values, and principles.
- Grammatically, it requires the postposition 'meĩ' (in) after the object of faith.
- It differs from 'vishwas' (trust) by being more profound and immutable.
The Hindi phrase आस्था रखना (āsthā rakhnā) is a profound expression that transcends simple belief. While the English word 'belief' can often be casual—such as believing it might rain—'āsthā' refers to a deep-seated, often spiritual or ideological, faith. It is the kind of conviction that forms the bedrock of one's identity or worldview. In Hindi, 'āsthā' is a noun meaning 'faith' or 'reverence,' and 'rakhnā' is the verb 'to keep' or 'to hold.' Together, they describe the act of maintaining a steadfast trust in something greater than oneself, a principle, or a person's character. This phrase is most commonly heard in religious, philosophical, and deeply personal contexts where logic might take a backseat to the conviction of the heart.
- Spiritual Context
- In India, this phrase is ubiquitous in discussions about divinity. Whether one is a theist or follows a specific guru, 'āsthā rakhnā' describes their devotion. It implies a sense of surrender and total reliance on a higher power.
- Self-Confidence
- The phrase is also used to encourage resilience. Telling someone 'apne aap mein āsthā rakho' (have faith in yourself) is much more powerful than simply saying 'trust yourself.' It suggests that the person has an innate, sacred potential that they must believe in.
- Institutional Trust
- It is frequently used in political or social discourse to describe a citizen's faith in the constitution, the judiciary, or democratic values. For instance, 'loktantra mein āsthā' means having deep faith in democracy.
हमें सच्चाई की जीत में हमेशा आस्था रखनी चाहिए। (We should always have faith in the victory of truth.)
The nuance of 'āsthā' is its immutability. Unlike 'vishwas' (trust/belief), which can be broken by a single lie, 'āsthā' is often portrayed as something that survives even in the face of adversity. It is a choice to believe despite lack of empirical evidence. When you use this phrase, you are signaling a level of seriousness and emotional depth. It is rarely used for trivial matters. You wouldn't say you 'āsthā rakhnā' in a brand of soap; you would use it for your heritage, your god, or your moral compass.
उसकी ईश्वर में अटूट आस्था है। (He has unwavering faith in God.)
Furthermore, the verb 'rakhnā' (to keep) suggests that faith is something you actively maintain or hold onto, rather than just a passive state. It is an action of the soul. In contemporary Hindi, you might hear this in news reports about pilgrims (āsthāwān) traveling to holy sites, emphasizing that their journey is fueled by this specific kind of faith. Understanding this word is key to understanding the Indian psyche, where the spiritual and the material are often intertwined through the lens of 'āsthā'.
Using आस्था रखना correctly requires understanding the postposition 'में' (meĩ - in). In Hindi, you do not just 'faith' something; you 'keep faith IN' something. The structure is: [Subject] + [Object/Concept] + में (meĩ) + [आस्था] + [Verb 'rakhnā' conjugated]. This grammatical pattern is consistent whether you are talking about religious faith, personal confidence, or political belief.
- Present Tense
- मैं अपनी मेहनत में आस्था रखता हूँ। (I have faith in my hard work.) Here, 'rakhtā hūm' is the masculine singular present form.
- Past Tense
- पुराने ज़माने में लोग प्रकृति में आस्था रखते थे। (In ancient times, people used to have faith in nature.)
- Imperative (Giving Advice)
- मुश्किल समय में भी धैर्य और आस्था रखें। (Keep patience and faith even in difficult times.)
क्या आप न्याय प्रणाली में आस्था रखते हैं? (Do you have faith in the justice system?)
It is important to note that 'āsthā' is a feminine noun. While this doesn't change the verb 'rakhnā' when used as a compound (the verb agrees with the subject), it does affect adjectives describing the faith. For example, 'अटूट आस्था' (unbreakable faith) uses the feminine form of 'unbreakable' (though 'atūt' is invariant, other adjectives like 'gahrī' for 'deep' would change). If you want to say 'deep faith,' you would say 'गहरी आस्था' (gahrī āsthā).
वह अपनी संस्कृति में अटूट आस्था रखती है। (She keeps unwavering faith in her culture.)
In formal writing, such as essays or speeches, you might see the passive or more abstract form: 'आस्था का होना' (the existence of faith). However, in spoken Hindi and general literature, 'āsthā rakhnā' is the standard way to express the act of believing. It conveys a sense of agency—that the believer is consciously choosing to hold onto their conviction. This makes it a very empowering phrase to use when discussing personal values or overcoming obstacles.
You will encounter आस्था रखना in several distinct layers of Indian society. The most obvious is the religious sphere. India is a land of many faiths, and 'āsthā' is the word used to describe the devotion of millions. During festivals like Kumbh Mela or Diwali, news anchors will frequently talk about 'श्रद्धालुओं की आस्था' (the faith of the devotees) and how they 'āsthā rakhte haiñ' in the sacred rivers or deities. It's a word that commands respect in these contexts.
- News and Media
- Journalists use this phrase when discussing people's reactions to major events. 'जनता का लोकतंत्र में आस्था कम हो रही है' (The public's faith in democracy is decreasing) is a common headline during political turmoil.
- Cinema and Literature
- Bollywood movies often feature a protagonist who, despite all odds, keeps faith in 'bhagwan' (God) or 'insāniyat' (humanity). Dramatic monologues often revolve around the theme of 'āsthā'.
- Legal and Constitutional Discussions
- In courtrooms or during the swearing-in of officials, the phrase 'samvidhān mein āsthā' (faith in the constitution) is a formal requirement, signifying a commitment to the law.
करोड़ों लोगों की इस मंदिर में गहरी आस्था है। (Millions of people have deep faith in this temple.)
Beyond these formal settings, you'll hear it in everyday life when people discuss their life philosophies. If a friend is going through a breakup or a job loss, you might hear someone advise them, 'Khud par āsthā rakho' (Have faith in yourself). It’s a word used to provide emotional support and spiritual grounding. It is rarely slangy or informal; even in casual conversation, it retains a certain dignity. If you use it, people will perceive you as someone who thinks deeply about life and values.
हमें मानवता में आस्था रखनी नहीं छोड़नी चाहिए। (We should not stop having faith in humanity.)
In modern motivational speaking in Hindi-speaking regions, 'āsthā' is used to describe the 'mindset' of success—the unwavering belief that one's goals are achievable. It bridges the gap between ancient tradition and modern self-help. Whether in a temple, a courtroom, or a boardroom, 'āsthā rakhnā' remains a powerful testament to the human spirit's capacity for belief.
One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is confusing आस्था रखना with विश्वास करना (vishwas karnā). While they both translate to 'to believe' or 'to trust,' they are not always interchangeable. 'Vishwas karnā' is more general and can be used for everyday trust—like trusting a friend to return a book. 'Āsthā rakhnā' is reserved for deeper, more sacred, or foundational beliefs. Using 'āsthā' for trivial trust can sound overly dramatic or even slightly ridiculous to a native speaker.
- Incorrect Postposition
- Many learners say 'X को आस्था रखना' (ko āsthā rakhnā). This is incorrect. The correct postposition is 'में' (meĩ). You have faith *in* someone, not *to* someone.
- Using 'Karnā' instead of 'Rakhnā'
- While 'āsthā honā' (to have faith) is correct, 'āsthā karnā' is generally not used. The verb 'rakhnā' (to keep/hold) is the standard companion for 'āsthā' when describing the act of maintaining faith.
- Confusing with 'Mānnā'
- 'Mānnā' means to accept or to follow. You can 'mānnā' an order or a fact, but 'āsthā rakhnā' is about the internal feeling of conviction.
❌ मुझे तुम पर आस्था है (for a small favor).
✅ मुझे तुम पर विश्वास है।
Another mistake is the gender of the noun. As mentioned, 'āsthā' is feminine. If you use an adjective with it, it must be in the feminine form. For example, 'merā āsthā' (my faith - masculine) is wrong; it should be 'merī āsthā' (my faith - feminine). This is a common slip-up for English speakers whose language doesn't assign gender to abstract concepts like faith.
❌ उसकी गहरा आस्था।
✅ उसकी गहरी आस्था।
Lastly, don't overuse the word. In daily life, 'bharosā' (trust/reliance) or 'vishwas' are much more common. 'Āsthā' should be saved for moments of spiritual significance, moral dilemmas, or when discussing one's core values. Overusing it can make your speech sound like a formal sermon rather than a natural conversation.
Hindi has a rich vocabulary for the concept of belief and trust. Understanding the subtle differences between these synonyms will help you choose the right word for the right situation. While आस्था रखना is about deep, reverent faith, other words cover the spectrum from logical belief to blind trust.
- विश्वास करना (Vishwas Karnā)
- The most common word for 'to believe' or 'to trust.' It is used for both people and facts. 'I believe you' = 'Mujhe tum par vishwas hai.'
- भरोसा करना (Bharosā Karnā)
- This implies reliance or dependability. If you 'bharosā' someone, you are counting on them to do something. It is more practical than 'āsthā.'
- श्रद्धा रखना (Shraddhā Rakhnā)
- Very close to 'āsthā,' but 'shraddhā' implies a sense of devotion and respect, usually towards a teacher (guru), an elder, or a deity. It often involves an element of humility.
- यकीन करना (Yakeen Karnā)
- Borrowed from Urdu, this is very common in spoken Hindi and Bollywood songs. It often means 'to be sure' or 'to believe' in a more emotional or romantic sense.
तुलना:
1. मुझे विज्ञान में विश्वास है। (I believe in science - logical).
2. मेरी ईश्वर में आस्था है। (I have faith in God - spiritual).
When deciding which word to use, ask yourself: Is this a matter of the head (vishwas), the hands (bharosā), or the heart/soul (āsthā/shraddhā)? If you are talking about a contract, use 'vishwas.' If you are talking about a friend helping you move, use 'bharosā.' If you are talking about your life's purpose or your connection to the divine, 'āsthā' is the perfect choice.
उसकी अपने गुरु में बहुत श्रद्धा है। (He has a lot of devotion/respect for his teacher.)
In summary, 'āsthā' sits at the top of the hierarchy of belief. It is the most formal, most spiritual, and most profound. By mastering its use and understanding its alternatives, you gain a deeper insight into how Hindi speakers categorize their internal world of trust and conviction.
Fun Fact
The root 'sthā' is cognate with the English word 'stand' and 'station.' So, 'āsthā' is literally about where you 'stand' internally.
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing 'th' as the English 'th' in 'the' (it should be a dental aspirated 't').
- Pronouncing 'kh' as a simple 'k'.
- Shortening the long 'ā' sounds.
- Treating 'āsthā' as masculine.
- Forgetting the aspiration in 'th' and 'kh'.
Examples by Level
मुझे भगवान में आस्था है।
I have faith in God.
Simple present tense with 'hai'.
अपनी माँ में आस्था रखो।
Have faith in your mother.
Imperative form 'rakho'.
क्या आपको मुझमें आस्था है?
Do you have faith in me?
Interrogative sentence.
उसकी आस्था बहुत बड़ी है।
His/her faith is very big/great.
Using 'āsthā' as a noun with an adjective.
बच्चे अपने पिता में आस्था रखते हैं।
Children have faith in their father.
Plural subject with 'rakhte haiñ'.
हमें अच्छाई में आस्था रखनी चाहिए।
We should have faith in goodness.
Using 'chāhiye' for 'should'.
मेरी आस्था कम नहीं होगी।
My faith will not decrease.
Future tense 'hogī' (feminine).
वह शांति में आस्था रखता है।
He has faith in peace.
Masculine singular present.
क्या आप अपनी संस्कृति में आस्था रखते हैं?
Do you have faith in your culture?
Formal 'āp' with 'rakhte haiñ'.
उसे अपने काम में पूरी आस्था है।
He has full faith in his work.
Using 'pūrī' (full) which is feminine.
मुश्किलों में भी अपनी आस्था मत खोना।
Don't lose your faith even in difficulties.
Negative imperative 'mat khonā'.
वे पुराने रिवाजों में आस्था रखते थे।
They used to have faith in old traditions.
Past habitual 'rakhte the'.
सच्चे दोस्त एक-दूसरे में आस्था रखते हैं।
True friends have faith in each other.
Subject-verb agreement.
मेरी दादी की मंदिर में गहरी आस्था थी।
My grandmother had deep faith in the temple.
Past tense with 'thī' (feminine).
क्या तुम्हें अपनी मेहनत में आस्था है?
Do you have faith in your hard work?
Informal 'tumhe' usage.
हमें अपने देश में आस्था रखनी चाहिए।
We should have faith in our country.
Moral obligation with 'chāhiye'.
सफलता पाने के लिए खुद में आस्था रखना ज़रूरी है।
To achieve success, it is necessary to have faith in oneself.
Infinitive 'rakhnā' used as a noun.
वह न्याय में गहरी आस्था रखती है।
She has deep faith in justice.
Feminine subject and feminine adjective 'gahrī'.
आजकल लोग विज्ञान में ज़्यादा आस्था रखते हैं।
Nowadays people have more faith in science.
Comparative 'zyādā'.
क्या आप लोकतंत्र की शक्ति में आस्था रखते हैं?
Do you have faith in the power of democracy?
Abstract noun phrase 'loktantra kī shakti'.
भले ही सब कुछ बदल जाए, मेरी आस्था नहीं बदलेगी।
Even if everything changes, my faith will not change.
Conditional sentence structure.
गांधीजी अहिंसा में अटूट आस्था रखते थे।
Gandhiji had unwavering faith in non-violence.
Historical past tense.
बिना आस्था के जीवन अधूरा लगता है।
Life feels incomplete without faith.
Using 'binā' (without).
शिक्षक को अपने छात्रों की क्षमताओं में आस्था रखनी चाहिए।
A teacher should have faith in their students' abilities.
Possessive phrase 'chhātroñ kī kshamtāoñ'.
समाज के सुधार के लिए मानवीय मूल्यों में आस्था रखना अनिवार्य है।
To improve society, it is mandatory to have faith in human values.
Formal vocabulary like 'anivārya' (mandatory).
जब तक आप अपनी योजनाओं में आस्था नहीं रखेंगे, वे सफल नहीं होंगी।
As long as you don't have faith in your plans, they won't succeed.
Future conditional 'jab tak... tab tak'.
उनकी अटूट आस्था ने ही उन्हें इस कठिन समय से बाहर निकाला।
Only their unwavering faith pulled them out of this difficult time.
Emphasis with 'hī'.
आधुनिक युग में, क्या धर्म में आस्था रखना प्रासंगिक है?
In the modern era, is it relevant to have faith in religion?
Complex interrogative.
लेखक ने अपनी पुस्तक में मानवता के भविष्य में आस्था व्यक्त की है।
The author has expressed faith in the future of humanity in his book.
Present perfect 'vyakt kī hai'.
न्यायालय में आस्था रखना लोकतंत्र की नींव है।
Having faith in the court is the foundation of democracy.
Metaphorical usage.
वैज्ञानिक अपनी खोजों में अटूट आस्था रखते हैं।
Scientists have unwavering faith in their discoveries.
Generalizing about a profession.
उसने अपनी अंतरात्मा में आस्था रखते हुए यह निर्णय लिया।
He took this decision while keeping faith in his conscience.
Participle phrase 'rakhte hue'.
सांस्कृतिक पहचान बनाए रखने के लिए अपनी जड़ों में आस्था रखना आवश्यक है।
To maintain cultural identity, it is necessary to have faith in one's roots.
Complex purpose clause.
दार्शनिकों ने सदियों से आस्था और तर्क के बीच के संबंध पर चर्चा की है।
Philosophers have discussed the relationship between faith and logic for centuries.
Abstract philosophical subject.
भ्रष्टाचार के बावजूद, आम आदमी का संविधान में आस्था रखना प्रशंसनीय है।
Despite corruption, the common man's faith in the constitution is commendable.
Concessive clause 'ke bāvajūd'.
आध्यात्मिक यात्रा का अर्थ केवल ईश्वर में आस्था रखना नहीं, बल्कि स्वयं को जानना है।
A spiritual journey doesn't just mean having faith in God, but knowing oneself.
Contrastive 'nahīñ... balki'.
उनकी कला में एक गहरी आस्था झलकती है जो शब्दों से परे है।
A deep faith reflects in her art that is beyond words.
Relative clause 'jo... hai'.
क्या वैज्ञानिक प्रगति के साथ-साथ पारंपरिक आस्था रखना संभव है?
Is it possible to keep traditional faith alongside scientific progress?
Compound postposition 'ke sāth-sāth'.
राजनीतिक अस्थिरता के दौर में भी, हमें शांतिपूर्ण समाधान में आस्था रखनी होगी।
Even in times of political instability, we will have to have faith in peaceful solutions.
Future obligation 'rakhnī hogī'.
उसकी आँखों में एक ऐसी आस्था थी जिसने सबको प्रेरित कर दिया।
There was such a faith in her eyes that it inspired everyone.
Result clause 'jisne... diyā'.
अस्तित्ववाद के इस युग में, शून्यता के विरुद्ध आस्था रखना एक साहसी कार्य है।
In this era of existentialism, keeping faith against nothingness is a courageous act.
High-level vocabulary like 'shūnyatā' and 'astitvavād'.
आस्था रखना कोई अंधविश्वास नहीं, बल्कि आत्मा का एक सचेत चुनाव है।
Having faith is not a superstition, but a conscious choice of the soul.
Philosophical definitions.
साहित्यिक कृतियाँ अक्सर मानवीय जिजीविषा और आस्था के अंतर्संबंधों को उजागर करती हैं।
Literary works often highlight the interconnections between human survival instinct and faith.
Complex academic structure.
जब तर्क अपनी सीमा पर पहुँच जाता है, तब आस्था रखना ही एकमात्र मार्ग बचता है।
When logic reaches its limit, then having faith remains the only path.
Correlative 'jab... tab'.
क्या सार्वभौमिक सत्य में आस्था रखना आधुनिक सापेक्षतावाद के साथ मेल खा सकता है?
Can having faith in universal truth reconcile with modern relativism?
Advanced inquiry.
उनकी कविताएँ निराशा के अंधकार में भी आस्था की लौ जलाए रखने का संदेश देती हैं।
His poems give the message of keeping the flame of faith burning even in the darkness of despair.
Metaphorical compound verbs.
वैश्विक संकटों के समय, मानवता की सामूहिक चेतना में आस्था रखना अनिवार्य हो जाता है।
During global crises, it becomes mandatory to have faith in the collective consciousness of humanity.
Formal passive construction.
आस्था रखना एक निरंतर प्रक्रिया है, जो अनुभव की भट्टी में तपकर और कुंदन होती है।
Having faith is a continuous process that becomes purer like gold after being heated in the furnace of experience.
Highly poetic and idiomatic.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— A center of faith, often referring to a holy place or a revered person.
यह मंदिर करोड़ों लोगों की आस्था का केंद्र है।
— The thread of faith, implying a delicate but strong connection.
आस्था की डोर कभी नहीं टूटनी चाहिए।
— A flood of faith, used to describe massive crowds of devotees.
कुंभ में आस्था का सैलाब उमड़ पड़ा।
— A holy dip (in a river) taken as an act of faith.
श्रद्धालुओं ने गंगा में आस्था की डुबकी लगाई।
— Faith and trust, often used together for emphasis.
उनका रिश्ता आस्था और विश्वास पर टिका है।
— In the name of faith, often used in a critical context.
आस्था के नाम पर ढोंग नहीं होना चाहिए।
Idioms & Expressions
— To awaken or inspire faith in someone.
उसके भाषण ने लोगों में नई आस्था जगाई।
Neutral— To sacrifice one's faith (metaphorical).
उसने लालच में अपनी आस्था की बलि चढ़ा दी।
DramaticWord Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Astha' as 'A Star.' When you look at a star in the dark night, you have faith that the sun will rise. 'Astha' is that guiding star in your heart.
Visual Association
Imagine a small oil lamp (diyā) burning steadily in a dark room. That steady flame represents 'āsthā'—something you keep (rakhnā) burning despite the darkness.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to write three sentences about something you deeply believe in using 'āsthā rakhnā.' For example, your belief in kindness or hard work.
Word Origin
Derived from the Sanskrit word 'आस्था' (āsthā).
Original meaning: The Sanskrit root 'ā-sthā' literally means 'to stand near' or 'to stay/abide.' Over time, it evolved to mean staying firm in a belief or having a place of residence for the soul.
Indo-Aryan, descendant of Sanskrit.Cultural Context
Be careful when using 'āsthā' in secular or scientific contexts, as it can imply a lack of logical evidence. However, in personal and religious contexts, it is highly respectful.
English speakers might use 'faith' and 'belief' interchangeably, but in Hindi, 'āsthā' is specifically for the 'faith' that defines one's soul.
Summary
The phrase 'आस्था रखना' (āsthā rakhnā) is the gold standard for expressing deep-seated faith in Hindi. Unlike casual belief, it implies a sacred or foundational commitment. Example: 'सच्चाई में आस्था रखो' (Have faith in truth).
- Āsthā rakhnā means to have deep, often spiritual, faith or conviction.
- It is a formal and serious phrase, used for God, values, and principles.
- Grammatically, it requires the postposition 'meĩ' (in) after the object of faith.
- It differs from 'vishwas' (trust) by being more profound and immutable.
Related Content
More emotions words
आभार
B1Gratitude, thankfulness; appreciation for kindness.
आभारी
A2Thankful, obliged, feeling or showing gratitude.
आभारी होना
A2To be grateful; to feel or show appreciation for something received.
आभार सहित
B1Gratefully; with gratitude; thankfully.
आभारपूर्वक
B2Gratefully, thankfully, or with appreciation.
आभास होना
B1To have a feeling, to have an intuition; to perceive something vaguely.
आग्रह
B1Insistence, earnest request; persistent demanding.
आघात
B1Shock, trauma; a sudden upsetting or surprising event or experience.
आघात लगना
B1To be shocked; to be traumatized.
आघात पहुँचना
B1To be deeply shocked or traumatized.
