‹ Back to the text

bhavantu

bhavati

imp 3rd pl of bhavati (verb)

1. is; is being; becomes
2. exists (for)

Built from

• bhava — stem · being, becoming
  Present stem of bhavati (√bhū), expressing the core sense of existence or coming to be.
• -ntu — ending · 3rd plural imperative
  The -ntu ending marks third-person plural imperative: commands or wishes directed at a third party ("let them").

Etymology. √bhū (become, be) is cognate with English "be", German "bin", Latin "fui" (was), and Sanskrit bhavati; the root expresses the fundamental notion of coming into being or existing as a state. The imperative mood bhavantu adds volition: "may they be."

Meanings from the Digital Pāḷi Dictionary; morphology and etymology by Claude.

Lite mode — plain HTML for e-readers and old browsers. Full version