Dear all,

The following is my attempt so far at a translation of the first six of the
fifteen introductory verses at the beginning of the Padamaalaa. I know the
translation will have its defects and would appreciate them being pointed
out. I will post the other verses later when I've translated them. I found
the 6th verse to be the most challenging. I haven't included any notes to
the verses as I thought it would be distracting and make this posting too
long.

ganthaarambhakathaa

Introduction

dhiirehi magganaayena, yena buddhena desita.m.
sita.m dhammamidha~n~naaya, ~naayate amata.m pada.m..

Understanding in this world the pure Dhamma taught by the Buddha
Who leads the way, the wise come to know the deathless element. || 1 ||

ta.m namitvaa mahaaviira.m, sabba~n~nu.m lokanaayaka.m.
mahaakaaru.nika.m se.t.tha.m, visuddha.m suddhidaayaka.m..

Having bowed to Him, the great hero, the all-knowing, guide to the world,
The great compassionate one, the best, purified, the giver of purity; || 2
||

saddhamma~ncassa puujetvaa, suddha.m santamasa"nkhata.m.
atakkaavacara.m su.t.thu, vibhatta.m madhura.m siva.m..

Having honoured His True Dhamma, pure, peaceful, unconditioned,
Beyond the sphere of logic, well-apportioned, sweet, auspicious; || 3 ||

sa"nghassa ca'~njali.m katvaa, pu~n~nakkhettassa taadino.
siilasamaadhipa~n~naadi-visuddhagu.najotino..

And with joined palms having saluted the Sangha, like Him, a field of merit,
The splendour of the purified qualities of siila, samaadhi, paññaa, and so
on; || 4 ||

namassanaadipu~n~nassa, katassa ratanattaye.
tejasaaha.m pahantvaana, antaraaye asesato..

Having destroyed the obstacles without remainder through the power of
The merit of bowing, and so on, performed towards the Jewel Triad; || 5 ||

lokaniitiviyattassa, satthu saddhammaniitino.
saasanattha.m pavakkhaami, saddaniitimanaakula.m..

I will now expound the Saddaniiti which is unconfused, its scope the
Teaching,
Of the Teacher who is proficient in the guidance of the world and whose
guidance is the True Dhamma. || 6 ||

Best wishes,
Jim