Hello all,

> "Attha.m hi naatho sara.na.m avoca."
> meaning / indeed / lord / guide / spoke
> "Meaning indeed (is) guide", spoke the Lord.

The passage comes from the Ka`nkhaavitara.nii, Buddhaghosa's
atthakathaa to the two Paatimokkhas. Its meaning will be
clearer when the whole verse is given:

attha.m hi naatho sara.na.m avoca
na bya~njana.m lokahito mahesii

"The meaning, not the letter, is truly the
protector, the refuge, and the welfare of the
world," said the Great Sage.



tasmaa akatvaa ratimakkharesu
atthe niveseyya mati.m mutiimaa ti

Therefore, not delighting in the letters, the
prudent man should apply his mind to the
meaning.

The first two lines might also be rendered:

"The meaning, not the letter, is truly the
refuge and welfare of the world," said the
the Lord, the Great Sage.

Best wishes,

Dhammanando