preta

[Avinash Sathaye]

"N. Ganesan" wrote:

> Dear List,
>
> How is the Sanskrit word, "preta", explained in terms of roots?
> It's a late one, occuring in the epics like MBh.

I have always explained it (to myself and others) as pra+itaH =
prakarshheNa itaH = totally gone!
I don't know if this is officially accepted as a valid derivation.
However, I find it amusing that if one uses a similar root gam instead,
then pra+gataH = advanced,  has a very pleasant meaning!
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