Sv-n.t I 1-2 (introductory verses 1-2)

Dear Members,

This is a continuation of the Brahmajālasutta study project. The last
related posting and ensuing discussion took place here in late February
regarding a small passage at the beginning of Sv-pṭ (Dhammapāla). This
posting turns to the ten verses with a translation attempt of the first two
of these at the beginning of Ñāṇābhivaṃsa's abhinavaṭīkā (Sv-nṭ) on the
Sumaṅgalavilāsinī which the author calls, as you will see in verse 10, the
Sādhuvilāsinī (composed some two centuries ago in Burma). The verses give
the reasons why this new ṭīkā was deemed necessary.

Below is my translation and some brief notes for the first two verses
followed by the text only of the remaining eight verses which ī will attempt
to translate in future postings. But some of these verses are turning out to
be more difficult than the first two.

Ganthārambhakathā (lit. book-beginning-talk)

Introduction.

Yo desetvāna saddhammaṃ, gambhīraṃ duddasaṃ varaṃ;
Dīghadassī ciraṃ kālaṃ, patiṭṭhāpesi sāsanaṃ. 1.

1. The long-visioned one, who has established the teachings for a long time,
     After having taught the true dhamma which is profound, hard-to-see,
          and excellent;

[Note:
     1) 'The far-sighted one' for 'dīghadassī' instead of 'the long-visioned
one' is another possibility.]

Vineyyajjhāsaye chekaṃ, mahāmatiṃ mahādayaṃ;
Natvāna taṃ sasaddhammagaṇaṃ gāravabhājanaṃ. 2.

2. Together with the true dhamma and the sangha sharing in the reverence,
     Having bowed to him, the great sage, the great benefactor, clever in the
            disposition of those to be guided;

[Note:
     1) Having bowed to: the subject or agent of 'natvāna' is the 'I' in the
verb 'ārabhissāmi' (ī will now begin) in pāda 9a.]

Following are the remaining eight verses for your perusal:

Saṅgītittayamāruḷhā, dīghāgamavarassa yā;
Saṃvaṇṇanā yā ca tassā, vaṇṇanā sādhuvaṇṇitā. 3.

Ācariyadhammapāla- ttherenevābhisaṅkhatā;
Sammā nipuṇagambhīra-duddasatthappakāsanā. 4.

Kāmañca sā tathābhūtā, paramparābhatā pana;
Pāṭhato atthato cāpi, bahuppamādalekhanā. 5.

Saṅkhepattā ca sotūhi, sammā ñātuṃ sudukkarā;
Tasmā sabrahmacārīnaṃ, yācanaṃ samanussaraṃ. 6.

Yo’nekasetanāgindo, rājā nānāraṭṭhissaro;
Sāsanasodhane daḷhaṃ, sadā ussāhamānaso. 7.

Taṃ nissāya ‘‘mamesopi, satthusāsanajotane;
Appeva nāmupatthambho, bhaveyyā’’ti vicintayaṃ. 8..

[page 2]

Vaṇṇanaṃ ārabhissāmi, sādhippāyamahāpayaṃ;
Atthaṃ tamupanissāya, aññañcāpi yathārahaṃ. 9.

Cakkābhivuḍḍhikāmānaṃ, dhīrānaṃ cittatosanaṃ;
Sādhuvilāsiniṃ nāma, taṃ suṇātha samāhitāti. 10.

Best wishes,
Jim Anderson
31 May 2011