carati

 In Sanskrit, "carati" (चरति) primarily means “he/she moves, 

walks, goes around, or travels,” and more broadly extends 

to "acts, performs, behaves, or conducts oneself,” depending 

on context.

Literal Meanings

• To move or go about: “carati” is used to describe physical 
• movement, like walking, roaming, or traveling 

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• To spread or be diffused: It can refer to the dispersal or 
• pervasion of something, such as fire or influence 

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• To proceed or come forth: This covers meanings such as 
• issuing out, appearing, or rising, including as sounds or 
• phenomena 

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Extended or Applied Meanings

• To act or perform: “carati” can be used to indicate performing 
• an action, execution of a duty, or practicing a task 

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• To lead one’s life or behave: It conveys conduct, manner of living, 
• or righteousness, such as “walking in a virtuous path” or engaging 
• in spiritual practice 

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• Grazing or seeking sustenance: In texts describing animals 
• or monks, it can indicate grazing or going for alms 

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Grammatical Notes

• Verb form: Third-person singular, present tense, active voice 
• (first conjugation) derived from the root car.
• Causal form: “cārayati,” meaning “to cause to move or bring forth.
• Participles and other derived forms: carant (present active participle), 
• caramāna (present middle participle), carituṃ (infinitive) among 
• others, which extend the nuances in classical texts 

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Contextual Examples

• In Vedic literature: Used for moving about in the world or conducting 
• oneself within prescribed duties 

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• In Pali Buddhist texts: Refers to both physical roaming and ethical 
• or purposeful actions such as performing alms rounds, leading 
• a life of mindfulness, or acting in accordance with Dharma 

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• Figuratively: Can describe the behavior of humans, animals, or even 
• celestial objects like stars 

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In summary, “carati” is a versatile Sanskrit verb encapsulating both 

literal movement and metaphorical or ethical action—walking, traveling, 

acting, behaving, or carrying out duties—depending on its textual 

and grammatical context 

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