Jim,

I'm not sure if chamhi can be divided into cha-mhi, because there is no such
syllable or sound in Pali. But there is nha as in nhataka. The oddity is best
explained as metri causa.

With metta,

Piya

On Fri, Dec 5, 2008 at 8:13 AM, Jim Anderson <jimanderson.on@...> wrote:
> Dear Mahinda,
>
>> The point that Jim makes is valid. Cha-mhi is a really curious form:
>> a singular (loc.) suffix added to a word that has a plural sense.
>
> I don't know much about metres, but it appears to me that, from
> looking at the lines in the verses at J IV 310, the second last
> syllable of each line of 11 syllables should be long or heavy (garu).
> I think you're right in dividing chamhi into cha-mhi. With cha- as
> short or light (lahu) wouldn't this suggest that chamhi might be an
> erroneous reading? Chabbhi is the Burmese reading and fits the metre.
> In the section on numerals, the Saddaniiti has chabhi in addition to
> chahi but no chabbhi. However, chabbhi does seem possible if you
> consider the consonantal doubling in the locative chassu as an
> alternative to chasu.
>
> I should mention that I posted my previous response to Florent without
> having first seen your earlier message which never reached my inbox.
> If I had seen it, there would have been no need for me to respond as
> well.
>
> Best wishes,
> Jim
>
>



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