(Whitney §285-288)
The fourth (चतुर्थ) case is the dative. The dative case is the case of the indirect object, most usually translated into English as “to” or “for”. It indicates something …
- Toward which …
- In the direction of which …
- For the sake of which …
… anything is or is done (either transitively or instransitively).
The dative is used with words signifying giving, sharing, or assigning:
स्त्रीः बालाय पुस्तकम् ददौ। “The woman gave the boy a book.”
यच्चाऽस्मै शर्म। “Bestow upon him protection.”
The dative is used with words signifying showing, announcing, declaring, etc.:
धनुर्दर्शयरामाय। “Show the bow to Rāma.”
ऋतुपर्णम्भीमाय प्रत्यवेदयन्। “They announced Ṛituparṇa to Bhīma.”
It is used for words signifying giving attention, having regard or feeling toward, or aspiring, etc.:
निवेशाय मनो दधुः। “They set their minds on encamping.”
It is used for words signifying please, suit, conduce, etc.:
यद्यद् रोचते विप्रेभ्यः। “Whatever is pleasing to Brahmans.”
It is used for words signifying inclination, obeisance, and so forth:
मह्यं नमन्ताम् प्रदिशचश्चतस्रः। “Let the four quarters bow themselves to me.”
It is used for words meaning to hurl or cast at:
येन दूडशे अस्यसि। “with which you hurled at the impious.”
Finally, and very importantly, the dative is used to indicate “for”, “for the benefit of”, “in order to”, and “with reference to”:
स तत् कर्म मह्यम् करोति। “He does that work for me.”
इषुं कृण्वाना असनाय। “Making an arrow for hurling.”
गृह्णामि ते सौभगत्वाय हस्तम्। “I take your hand for the sake of happiness.”
The dative is often used as a predicate with or without a copula:
स च तस्याः संतोषाय नाऽभवत्। “and he was not to her satisfaction.”
सुगोपा असि न दभाय। “You are a good cowherd, not one for cheating.”