dahati

 The Sanskrit word "dahati" is represented 

in Devanagari script as "दधति"

The Sanskrit word "dahati" primarily means "he/she burns," 

"he/she consumes," or "he/she causes pain" in English, and is 

commonly used in both literal and metaphorical 

contexts in classical Sanskrit texts

Wisdom Library+1

 .

Literal Meaning

In its most direct sense, dahati refers to the act of burning or 

being consumed by fire. It can describe literal physical burning, 

scalding, or heat effects 

Wisdom Library+1

. For example, in both 

Sanskrit and Pali texts, it is used to convey fire consuming objects 

or bodies, such as in cremation practices or descriptions of 

intense heat 

Wisdom Library

.

Extended or Figurative Meanings

Beyond physical burning, dahati is also used metaphorically 

to express:

• Suffering, pain, or torment, such as mental or emotional 
• distress 

  1

  .
• Intense burning desire or passion, symbolic of strong emotions 
• or urges.
• The act of placing or setting something, in certain classical 
• contexts, e.g., "to set down" or "to establish" 

  2

  .
• 

  

  2 Sources

Usage in Classical Texts

• Bhagavad Gita 2.23: The phrase "na cainaṁ ... dahi" uses dahati 
• to indicate that fire cannot burn the eternal self (ātman)

  1

   .
• Mahābhārata: Dahati appears as the name of a warrior in the 
• retinue of the deity Skanda, highlighting that the word can also 
• function as a proper noun in epic literature 

  1

  .

Grammatical Note

• Stem: dahat
• Forms: masculine or neuter locative singular "dahati," present 
• tense, third person singular 

  1

  .
• 

  1 Source

In summary, dahati encompasses both the literal sense of burning 

and the figurative sense of suffering, intense passion, or the act of 

placing or establishing something, making it a versatile term in 

Sanskrit literature ranging from scriptures to epic poetry 

Wisdom Library+1

.