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dhārehīti
dhāra
3rd person singular present indicative of dhāreti, or possibly 2nd person singular imperative + quotative particle iti
- dhāra (adj): (of a weapon) sharpened; with edge; with blade
- dhāreti (pr): holds up; holds out; lit. carries
- dhāreti (pr): carries; bears
- dhāreti (pr): bears in mind; keeps in mind; remembers (something about); lit. carries
- dhāreti (pr): owes (a debt) (to); lit. carries
- dhāreti (pr): wears; dresses (in); lit. carries
- dhāreti (pr): considers; accepts (something as); lit. carries
- dhāra (adj): carrying; holding; bearing
- …
Built from
- dhār — root · hold, bear, carry
From √dhṛ, the core sense is physical support and control; extended to retention, memory, and mental commitment. Cognate with English "dare" and Greek tharseō.
- e — stem · causative/denominative
Marks denominative action in Pali; here indicates the transitive sense "to cause to be held" or simply "to hold".
- hi — ending · 2nd singular imperative
Second-person singular imperative suffix in Pali (alternative to -a). Commands the listener to perform the action.
- iti — root · thus, quotative particle
Marks reported speech or a quoted instruction; signals the boundary between the command and any surrounding narrative frame.
Analysis. dhārehi (2nd sg. imperative of dhāreti, "you hold/bear") + iti (quotative particle, "thus, saying"), forming a direct command or quoted instruction: "hold [this] thus".
Etymology. √dhṛ (to hold, carry, bear) is a common Sanskrit/Pali root meaning "to support or sustain". It is cognate with English "dare" (originally "to venture, hold oneself forward") and Greek tharseō (to be brave). The sense ranges from physical holding (a weapon, a load) to mental retention (bearing in mind, remembering).