Dear Nina:

> aruupa : can we say: Bhagavanta+ ruupo: it is translated by B.B.:
> when the Exalted One or anyone like him is present. Thus, like the
> Bhagavant (stem), and an <a> inserted?

That makes sense to me. I do know that vowels are sometimes inserted
between adjacent consonants in sandhi. I think this is what Geiger
(in his grammar) means by "svarabhakti" vowels.

So, bhagavant + a + ruupo would be a bahubbiihi compound with a
genitive relationship between ruupo and bhagavant: "one with the form
of the Blessed One," i.e., one like the Buddha.

Derek.