द्वेष करना

The Hindi verb द्वेष करना (dveṣa karnā) is a deeply evocative expression that goes far beyond simple dislike or temporary anger. Rooted in the ancient Sanskrit word 'dveṣa', it describes the act of harboring malice, ill-will, or a persistent, deep-seated resentment toward someone or something. In the landscape of Hindi emotions, if 'nafrat' (hatred) is a loud explosion, 'dveṣa' is the slow-burning ember that consumes the heart from within. It is categorized as one of the fundamental negative emotions in Indian philosophy, often cited alongside desire and delusion as a primary cause of human suffering. When you say someone is 'dveṣa kar raha hai', you are implying a psychological state where they are actively nurturing a grudge or wishing for the downfall of another person, often without an immediate or rational provocation.

Etymological Root

Derived from the Sanskrit root 'dviṣ' (to hate), the term has maintained its formal and heavy connotation for millennia, appearing in the Bhagavad Gita and Yoga Sutras to describe spiritual impediments.

In modern usage, this phrase is frequently employed in literature, formal speeches, and psychological contexts. It is rarely used for trivial things like hating a particular vegetable; rather, it is reserved for interpersonal relationships or political rivalries where a sense of vengeance or deep-seated antipathy exists. For example, if two political leaders have a history of trying to sabotage each other's careers, a journalist might describe their relationship as 'parasparik dveṣ' (mutual malice). The verb 'karna' (to do) makes it an active process, suggesting that the person is actively engaging in this negative emotional state. It is a 'Kriya' (action) of the mind.

Synonym Contrast

While 'Irshya' refers to jealousy (wanting what someone else has), 'Dvesh' is pure ill-will (wanting someone else to suffer or fail).

Understanding the weight of this word requires an appreciation for the Hindi cultural emphasis on 'shanti' (peace) and 'sadbhavna' (goodwill). Because Indian culture historically places high value on social harmony, 'dvesh karna' is viewed as a significant character flaw. It is the opposite of 'Prem' (love) and 'Karuna' (compassion). In a classroom or workplace, if a teacher notices a student is being unnecessarily mean to another, they might warn them not to 'dvesh karna' against their peers, reminding them that such feelings only lead to personal corruption.

In summary, 'dvesh karna' is a formal, serious, and powerful verb phrase. It describes a malicious intent that is often hidden or systematic. Whether you are reading a classic Hindi novel by Premchand or listening to a modern discourse on ethics, you will encounter this word as a marker for the darker side of human psychology. It is not just about 'not liking' someone; it is about the internal decision to hold onto bitterness and enmity.

Using द्वेष करना correctly in a sentence requires attention to the postposition 'से' (se). In Hindi, you do not bear malice 'at' or 'to' someone in the same way; you bear it 'from' or 'with' them in a grammatical sense. The structure is usually [Subject] + [Object] + से + द्वेष + [Verb: करना]. For example, 'Mohan Sohan se dvesh karta hai' (Mohan bears malice toward Sohan). This 'se' is crucial; using 'ko' or 'par' would be grammatically incorrect and sound unnatural to native speakers.

Tense Variations

The verb 'karna' changes according to tense and gender. Present: करता है (karta hai), Past: किया (kiya), Future: करेगा (karega).

When constructing complex sentences, 'dvesh karna' often pairs with adverbs of frequency or intensity. You might say 'voh mujhse ghora (extreme) dvesh karta hai' or 'voh hamesha (always) mujhse dvesh karta raha hai'. Because it is a formal word, it often appears in the passive voice in legal or journalistic writing: 'Unke beech dvesh kiya gaya' (Malice was fostered between them). However, the active voice is much more common in standard educational or moral contexts. It's also important to note that 'dvesh' is a masculine noun, but since it is part of a conjunct verb with 'karna', the gender of 'karna' usually follows the subject in simple present/future tenses, or the object if used in a perfective construction with 'ne'.

Consider the nuance in different social settings. In a family dispute, an elder might say, 'Bhai-bhai ko ek-dusre se dvesh nahi karna chahiye' (Brothers should not bear malice toward one another). Here, the use of 'dvesh' elevates the conversation from a petty fight to a moral concern. In business, one might say, 'Vyapar mein pratiyogita honi chahiye, dvesh nahi' (There should be competition in business, not malice). This demonstrates how the word functions as a conceptual boundary between healthy rivalry and destructive negativity. The versatility of 'dvesh karna' allows it to span from ancient scriptures to modern boardroom ethics.

Finally, when using this verb in the imperative mood (giving advice or commands), it takes a very strong tone. 'Dvesh mat karo!' is not just a suggestion; it is a moral command. Because 'dvesh' is seen as a poison for the soul, the verb 'karna' attached to it suggests a voluntary choice to be poisoned. By mastering this phrase, you gain the ability to discuss complex human motivations and ethical dilemmas in Hindi with precision and depth.

You will encounter द्वेष करना in several specific domains of Indian life. Perhaps the most common place is in Satsangs (spiritual gatherings) and religious discourses. Preachers and gurus frequently use this term when discussing the 'Shadripu' (the six enemies of the mind). They explain how 'dvesh karna' binds a person to the cycle of karma and prevents 'Moksha' (liberation). If you watch Hindi mythological television shows like 'Mahabharat' or 'Ramayan', you will hear characters accusing each other of 'dvesh'. Shakuni, for instance, is often described as someone who 'Pandavon se dvesh karta tha'.

Media & News

In Hindi news debates, journalists often use the term 'rajnaitik dvesh' (political malice) to describe vendettas between opposing parties.

Another significant arena is Hindi literature and high-quality cinema. Writers like Munshi Premchand or Jaishankar Prasad used this word to delve into the psyche of their characters. In a classic village setting story, 'dvesh' might describe the long-standing bitterness between two land-owning families. In modern Hindi cinema (Bollywood), while 'nafrat' is more common in romantic dramas, 'dvesh' appears in 'Parallel Cinema' or gritty political thrillers where the dialogue is more Sanskritized and formal. It provides a layer of gravitas that the more colloquial 'khunnas' or 'jalan' (slang for grudge/envy) lacks.

In the legal system, the concept of 'Malicious Prosecution' is translated as 'Dvesh-purna abhiyojan'. While a common person might not use the verb 'dvesh karna' while buying groceries, they will certainly use it when discussing a serious falling out with a relative or a neighbor. It signifies that the conflict has moved beyond a simple disagreement into the realm of character-based animosity. If someone says, 'Mera unse koi dvesh nahi hai' (I have no malice toward them), they are making a strong statement about their own integrity and lack of bias.

Lastly, in educational settings, teachers use this word during 'Moral Science' (Naitik Shiksha) classes. It is a key vocabulary word taught to children to help them identify and regulate negative social behaviors. By understanding where this word appears, you realize it is a bridge between the ancient philosophical traditions of India and the modern-day socio-political discourse. It is a word that demands respect and signals that the speaker is discussing something of substantial moral weight.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make when using द्वेष करना is confusing it with ईर्ष्या करना (īrṣyā karnā). While both are negative emotions, they are distinct. 'Irshya' is jealousy or envy—you want what someone else has. 'Dvesh' is malice—you simply want the other person to suffer or you hold a deep-seated hatred for them. If you say you 'dvesh' someone's new car, a native speaker will find it odd; you should 'irshya' the car. You 'dvesh' the person because of a past wrong they did to you.

Preposition Error

Mistake: 'Main usko dvesh karta hoon'. Correct: 'Main uss-se dvesh karta hoon'. Always use 'se' with the object.

Another mistake is using the word in too casual a context. Using 'dvesh karna' to describe your feelings about a rainy day or a bad movie sounds overly dramatic and somewhat misplaced. It is a human-to-human (or group-to-group) emotion. Furthermore, learners often forget that 'dvesh' is a noun being used in a conjunct verb. This means that in the past tense with 'ne', the verb 'kiya' must agree with 'dvesh' (which is masculine singular), not the subject. For example, 'Sita ne Ram se dvesh kiya' (Sita bore malice toward Ram). Even though Sita is female, 'kiya' remains masculine because it agrees with the noun 'dvesh'.

Phonetically, learners sometimes confuse 'dvesh' with 'desh' (country). Saying 'Main apne desh se dvesh karta hoon' would mean 'I bear malice toward my country', which is a very heavy and potentially offensive statement, whereas you might have meant something much lighter. Clear pronunciation of the 'v' sound in 'dve' is essential. Also, ensure you don't confuse it with 'Dosh' (fault/blame). 'Dosh dena' means to blame someone, while 'Dvesh karna' means to hate them internally.

Finally, there is a tendency to over-rely on 'nafrat karna' because it is easier to remember. While 'nafrat' is acceptable, using 'dvesh karna' in the right context—like a formal essay or a serious discussion—shows a much higher level of Hindi proficiency. Avoiding these common pitfalls will help you use the word with the precision of a native speaker and the depth of a scholar.

To truly master द्वेष करना, you must understand its neighbors in the Hindi emotional vocabulary. The most common alternative is नफ़रत करना (nafrat karnā). 'Nafrat' is an Urdu-origin word used widely in daily conversation. It is broader and can be used for things, people, or ideas. While 'dvesh' feels like a psychological condition, 'nafrat' feels like a visceral reaction. If you hate pizza, you use 'nafrat'; if you have a long-standing grudge against a business rival, you use 'dvesh'.

Vair (वैर)

This refers to 'enmity' or 'hostility'. While 'dvesh' is the feeling, 'vair' is often the state of being enemies. 'Vair nibhana' means to carry out a feud.

Another similar word is घृणा करना (ghṛṇā karnā), which translates to 'to loathe' or 'to feel disgust'. 'Ghṛṇā' often has a moral or physical component of repulsion. For example, one might 'ghṛṇā' corruption or 'ghṛṇā' filth. 'Dvesh', by contrast, is more personal and targeted. Then there is शत्रुता (shatrutā), meaning 'enmity'. This is a more formal and structural term, often used in the context of wars or legal battles. You can have 'shatrutā' with a country, but you 'dvesh' an individual within that country.

In a more literary context, you might encounter असूया (asūyā), which specifically means finding faults in others' virtues—a very specific type of 'dvesh'. On the positive side, the direct antonym is प्रेम करना (prem karnā) (to love) or सद्भावना रखना (sadbhāvnā rakhnā) (to harbor goodwill). Understanding these distinctions allows you to choose the exact 'flavor' of emotion you want to convey. If you are writing a formal letter, 'dvesh' is appropriate; if you are talking to a friend about a movie villain, 'nafrat' or 'jalan' might be better.

Matsar (मत्सर)

Another Sanskritized synonym often used in religious texts to describe the 'jealous-malice' that prevents spiritual growth.

By exploring these alternatives, you see that Hindi has a very rich and nuanced vocabulary for negative emotions, reflecting a long history of psychological and philosophical inquiry. 'Dvesh karna' sits at the center of this web as a sophisticated way to describe the darker inclinations of the human heart.