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Origin of चितव / चितवहिं (Chitav / Chitavahin) - The Heartfelt Gaze

1. Core Meaning​

  • Word: चितव / चितवहिं (Chitav / Chitavahin)
  • Hindi Equivalent: देखते हैं (Dekhte hain), निहारते हैं (Niharte hain), or दृष्टि डालते हैं (Drishti daalte hain).
  • English Meaning: (They) look, gaze, stare, or observe intently.

2. Origin (Etymology)​

The root of this word is deeply connected to the ancient Sanskrit word चित् (Cit) or चित्त (Chitt). In ancient Sanskrit, the root word Cit (चित्) didn't just mean a passive brain; it meant conscious perception, noticing, or fixing your absolute attention onto something.

3. The 'Av' (अव) Suffix (Naam Dhatu)​

To convert the noun "Chit" into an action, Awadhi uses the -अव (-av) suffix (a grammatical rule known as नाम धातु / Naam Dhatu).

The Formula (The Math of the Word):

  • The Noun Base: चित् (Chit) = The Mind / Attention
  • The Action Suffix: + अव (av) = The verb-making suffix
  • The Result: = चितव (Chitav)

Literal Meaning: "To apply the mind" or "To put one's full attention upon."

Over time, "applying the mind" to looking at something naturally became the beautiful word for "gazing with devotion."

(To learn more about the Naam Dhatu rule, its ancient Sanskrit origins, and how it is still used in modern Hindi words like 'Dikhava' and 'Bulava', see the detailed Noun to Verb 'Av' Rule)

4. The -हिं (-hin) Suffix: Present Tense Plural​

To indicate that multiple people are performing this action right now, Tulsi added the final suffix -हिं (-hin). Thus, Chitav becomes Chitavahin. (To master present-tense actions, read about the The -hin Rule)

5. The Emotion (Bhav): The Difference Between "Seeing" and "Gazing"​

Why did Tulsi use Chitavahin instead of the normal word for seeing (which is Dekh / देख)?

In Awadhi, the verb Chitavana (चितवना) doesn't just mean to look with your physical eyes. It means to look with your heart and mind fully engaged.

  • When someone casts a casual glance, they Dekh (देख).
  • When a mother lovingly stares at her child, or a devotee gazes at the Lord without blinking, they Chitav (चितव). It implies a gaze filled with love, wonder, or deep attention.

6. Examples from the Manas​

You will see this word often during beautiful descriptive scenes in the Manas, such as when the citizens of a city are looking at Lord Rama or Goddess Sita:

  • "सब नर नारि चितवहिं..." (Sab nar naari chitavahin...)
    • Meaning: All the men and women were gazing (with captivated hearts)...

In the current verse from Balkand:

  • "हरि-मारग चितवहिं मतिधीरा" (Hari-marag chitavahin matidheera)
    • Meaning: They (the warriors) were keeping a constant, attentive watch on the path of Lord Hari.