* कथा (kathā): This is the most common and general word for "story". It refers to a narrative, a tale, or an account of events.
* इतिहास (itihāsa): This word specifically refers to a "history" or "chronicle", a factual account of past events.
* पुराण (purāṇa): This term denotes an ancient mythological narrative, often containing legends, genealogies, and cosmologies.
* आख्यायिका (ākhyāyikā): This word signifies a "tale" or a "narrative", often characterized by its fictional or imaginative nature.
* कहानी (kahānī): This is a more colloquial word for "story", often used in modern contexts.
The specific word you choose would depend on the context and the type of story you're referring to.