hánta ind. an exclamation or inceptive particle (expressive of an exhortation to do anything or asking attention, and often translatable by ‘come on!’ ‘here!’ ‘look!’ ‘see!’ in later language also expressive of grief, joy, pity, haste, benediction &c. and translatable by ‘alas!’ ‘ah!’ ‘oh!’ &c.; often repeated or joined with other particles, e.g. hā hanta, hanta hanta, hanta tarhi), [RV.]; &c.
hanta—kārá m. the exclamation hanta (a partic. formula of benediction or salutation; also explained as 16 mouthfuls of alms, in [ŚBr.] among the four teats of the cow, Vāc.), [ŚBr.]; [PārGṛ.]; [Pur.]