Dear Nina,
Yes, this is a difficult passage.
I too have a Narada Thera edition that translates the line "Such a
one digs up his own root in the world". No note about "of
prosperity", though. Where did that come from?

Another translation I have (by Harischandra Kaviratna) translates
it "Such a man, while in this world, destroys the root of his being."

John

--- In Pali@yahoogroups.com, nina van gorkom <nilo@...> wrote:
> Dear John,
> I had some trouble with the last sentence:
> idh?evameso lokasmi.m - muula.m kha.nati attano. My edition gives
a note
> (Of Narada Thera): Such a one digs up his own root . Note: of
prosperity.
> op 19-01-2004 18:47 schreef John Kelly op palistudent@...:
>
> > Pali - Every few days - [B131]
> > Gair/Karunatillake - Chapter 7 ? Readings
> > Ex. 3 (Part 3 of 3)
> >
> > Yo paa.namatipaateti - musaavaada.m ca bhaasati;
> > loke adinna.m aadiyati - paradaara.m ca gacchati.
> > Suraamerayapaana.m ca - yo naro anuyu~njati;
> > idh?evameso lokasmi.m - muula.m kha.nati attano.
> > One who kills living beings ? and speaks falsely;
> > Takes what is not given ? and commits adultery;
> > And drinks wine and liquor ? the man who thus engages
> > himself;
> > Here in this world ? he digs up the very root of
> > himself.
> >
> > (Dhp 18, 246-247)