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PĀLI FOR BEGINNERS Dr. ANKUR BARUA MBBS, MD (Community Medicine), MBAIT, MBuddStud (Hong Kong)
Hong Kong, 2009 Pāli for Beginners –
Dr. Ankur Barua
Page 1
Background: The author had graduated with distinction from the University of Hong Kong (MBuddStud, 2009). He had also completed two other Master Degrees, one from Sikkim Manipal University (MBAIT, 2007) while the other from Manipal University (MBBS-2000, (MBBS-2000, MD in Community Medicine - 2003) and presently working in professional field.
th
First Publication on 26 August 2009 Buddhist Door, Tung Lin Kok Yuen, Hong Kong
Copyright © Ankur Barua
Address for communication:
Dr. ANKUR BARUA Block – EE, No.-80, Flat Fla t No.-2A, Salt Lake City, Sector-2, Kolkata - 700091, West Bengal, INDIA. Email:
[email protected]
Mobile: +91-9434485543 +91-9434485543 (India),
Pāli for Beginners –
Dr. Ankur Barua
+852-96195078 +852-96195078 (Hong Kong)
Page 2
Contents Items
Page No.
Acknowledgements
04
Preface
05
Pāli Alphabets
06
Pronunciation of Pāli Alphabets
08
Pāli Nouns, Pronouns and Adjectives
11
Declension of Nouns
22
Declension of Pronouns
54
Declension of Numerals
66
Pāli Verbs and Their Uses
72
Derivation of Pāli Verbs According to the Tenses and Voices in Third Person Singular Number
76
Pāli Indeclinables
81
Pāli Phrases From Texts
87
References
95
Pāli for Beginners –
Dr. Ankur Barua
Page 3
Acknowledgements
Aniruddha, Visiting Professor of Buddhist Studies at the Centre of Buddhist Studies I wish to express my sincere gratitude and indebtedness to Ven. Dr. Aniruddha, in the University of Hong Kong for his constant encouragement, constructive constructive criticism, personal attention and valuable guidance throughout this work.
Yin, Professor of Buddhist Studies and Director of the Centre of Buddhist Studies in the University of Hong Kong I acknowledge gratefully Ven. Dr. Jing Yin, for his kind support, encouragement and timely advice during the compilation of t his text book.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my beloved father Dr. Dipak Kumar Barua, who was the earlier Dean of the Faculty Council for Postgraduate Studies in Education, Journalism & Library Science in the University of Calcutta (1987-1991) and the Director of Nava Nalanda Mahavihara, Nalanda (1996-1999) for his technical guidance and valuable advice on various aspects of the Pāli language.
I would also like to convey my sincere thanks to my beloved mother Mrs. Dipa Barua and Ms. Mary Anne Basilio for their constant assistance, keen interest and support during this study.
Pāli for Beginners –
Dr. Ankur Barua
Page 4
Preface
The orgin of the Pāli language is rooted in the Prakrits, the vernacular languages, used in northern India during the Middle period of Indian linguistic evolution. Though Pāli is closely related to Sanskrit, but its grammar and structure are simpler. The Traditional Theravadins regard
Pāli as the language in which the Buddha (historical – Sakyamuni Buddha) had given his discourses. However, in the opinion of leading linguistic scholars, Pāli was probably a synthetic language created from several vernaculars to make the Buddhist texts comprehensible to Buddhist monks living in different parts of northern India. Pāli language was also used to preserve the Buddhist canon of the Theravada Buddhist tradition, which is regarded as the oldest complete collection of Buddhist texts surviving in an Indian language. As Theravada Buddhism spread to other parts of southern Asia, Pāli as the language language of the Buddhist texts spread along with with it. Thus, Pāli became a sacred language in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. Pāli has been used almost exclusively for Buddhist teachings, although many other religious and literary works related to Buddhism were also written in Pāli . This book is designed to provide the basics of Pāli grammar and vocabulary to enable the reader to understand the discourses of the Buddha in original form. Dr. Ankur Barua
Pāli for Beginners –
Dr. Ankur Barua
Page 5
PĀLI ALPHABETS
The Pāli Alphabet consists of 41 letters, 8 vowels and 33 consonants: a, aa, i, ii, u, uu, e, o.
8 Vowels (Sara):
33 Consonants (Vya~njana)
a) Gutturals [ka.n.thaja]:
k, kh, g, gh, 'n
(ka group [ka vagga]) b) Palatals [taaluja]:
c, ch, j, jh, ~n
(ca group [ca vagga]) c) Cerebrals [mu.dhaja]:
.t, .th, .d, .dh, .n
(.ta group [.t vagga]) d) Dentals [dantaja]:
t, th, d, dh, n
(ta group [ta vagga]) e) Labials [o.t.thaja]:
p, ph, b, bh, m
(pa group [pa vagga])
Pāli for Beginners –
Dr. Ankur Barua
Page 6
The following consonants are known as semi-vowels:
Palatal [taaluja]:
y
Cerebral [mu.dhaja]:
r
Dental [dantaja]:
l
Dental and Labial [danta o.t.thaja]:
v
The special consonants: Dental (sibilant) [dantaja]:
s
Aspirate [kan.thaja]:
h
Cerebral [mu.dhaja]:
.l
Niggahita:
.m
Pāli for Beginners –
Dr. Ankur Barua
Page 7
PRONUNCIATION PRONUNCIATION OF PĀLI ALPHABETS Pāli is a phonetic language and each alphabet has its own characteristic sound.
Pāli Vowels: 8 Vowels (Sara): a, aa, i, ii, u, uu, e, o a
is pronounced like
‘u’
in but
aa
is pronounced like
‘a’
in art
i
is pronounced like
‘I'
in pin
ii
is pronounced like
‘I’
in machine
u
is pronounced like
‘u’
in put
uu
is pronounced like
‘u’
in rule
e
is pronounced like
‘e’
in ten
ee
is pronounced like
‘a’
in fate
o
is pronounced like
‘o’
in hot
oo
is pronounced like
‘o’
in note
Pāli for Beginners –
Dr. Ankur Barua
Page 8
Pāli Consonants 33 Consonants (Vya~njana)
k
is pronounced like
‘k’
in key
g
is pronounced like
‘g’
in get
'n
is pronounced like
‘ng’
in ring
c
is pronounced like
‘ch’
in rich
j
is pronounced like ‘ j j’
in jug
~n
is pronounced like
‘gn’
in signor
.t
is pronounced like
‘t’
in not
.d
is pronounced like
‘d’
in hid
.n
is pronounced like
‘n’
in hint
p
is pronounced like
‘p’
in lip
b
is pronounced like
‘b’
in rib
m
is pronounced like
‘m’
in him
y
is pronounced like
‘y’
in yard
r
is pronounced like
‘r’
in rat
Pāli for Beginners –
Dr. Ankur Barua
Page 9
l
is pronounced like
‘l’
in sell
v
is pronounced like
‘v’
in vile
s
is pronounced like
‘s’
in sit
h
is pronounced like
‘h’
in hut
.l
is pronounced like
‘l’
in felt
.m
is pronounced like
‘ng’
in sing
The vowels " e " and " o " are always long, except when followed by a double consonant; e.g., ettha, o.t.tha. The fifth consonant of each group is called a "nasal". There is no difference between the pronunciation of " 'n " and ".m". The for mer never stands at the end, but is always followed by a consonant of its group. The dentals " t " and " d " are pronounced with the tip of the tongue placed against the front upper teeth. The aspirates " kh ", " gh ", ".th ", ".dh ", " th ", " dh ", " ph ", " bh ", are pronounced with " h " sound immediately following; e.g., in blockhead, pighead, cat-head, log-head, etc., where the " h " in each is combined with the p receding consonant in pronunciation.
Pāli for Beginners –
Dr. Ankur Barua
Page 10
PĀLI NOUNS, PRONOUNS AND ADJECTIVES
In English there are 8 parts of speech. They are all found in Pāli , but the Pāli Grammararians do not classify them in the same way. Their general classification is: (1) Nāma
=
Noun / Pronoun / Adjective
(2) Ākhyāta
=
Verb
(3) Upasagga
=
Prefix
(4) Nipāta
=
Indeclinable Particle (conjunctions, prepositions, adverbs, present participle, past participle, future passive participle)
Pronouns and adjectives are included in the first group with the nouns. Adjectives are treated as nouns because they are declined like nouns. Conjunctions, prepositions, prepositions, adverbs and a ll other indeclinables are included in t he fourth group.
Gender, Number and Case for all pronouns and adjectives should be in agreement with the corresponding noun.
There are in Pāli as in English three GENDERS and two NUMBERS. These are – GENDER:
(1) Pullioga
=
Masculine
(2) Itthilioga
=
Feminine
(3) Napuŋsakalioga
=
Neuter
Pāli for Beginners –
Dr. Ankur Barua
Page 11
NUMBER:
(1) Ekavacana
=
Singular
(2) Bahuvacana
=
Pleural
InPāli , there are eight CASES namely: (1) Pațhamā
=
Nominative
=
Subject
(2) Dutiyā
=
Accusative
=
Object (To / Towards the motion of movement)
(3) (A) Tatiyā
=
Ablative of Agent
=
By / With / Through
(B) Karaņa
=
Ablative of Instrument
=
By / With / Through
(4) Catutthī
=
Dative
=
For
(5) Pañcamī
=
Ablative of Separation
=
From
(6) Chațțhī
=
Possessive or Genetive
=
Of
(7) Sattamī
=
Locative
=
In / On / At / Upon
(8) Ālapana
=
Vocative
=
Oh!
Pāli for Beginners –
Dr. Ankur Barua
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The Ablative in English is here divided int Tatiyā, Karaņa and Pañchamī. But, as tatiyā and Karaņa always have similar frms both of them are shown under “instrumental”. Where nly the “Ablative” is given then it must be understand that all the three frms f the Ablative are included.
Nouns which denote males are masculine, those which denote females are feminine, but nouns which denote inanimate things and qualities are not
always neuter, e.g., rukkha (tree), canda (mn) are masculine. Nadī (river), latā (vine), pañña (wisdm) are feminine. Dhana (wealth), citta (mind) are neuter. Two words denoting the same thing may be, sometimes, in different genders; pāsāņa and silā are bth synnympus fr a stne, but the frmer is masculine and the latter is feminine. One word, without changing its form, may possess two or more genders e.g., geha (house) is masculine and neuter while kucchi (belly) is masculine and feminine. Nun (subject) and verb in a sentence shuld be in agreement in terms f “persn” and “number”.
GENDER. Therefore, it should be remembered that gender in Pāli is a grammatical distinction distinction existing in words it is called GRAMMATICAL GENDER. All the Nouns, Pronouns and Adjectives are declined according to their corresponding Gender, Number, Case and the stem ending form.
Pāli for Beginners –
Dr. Ankur Barua
Page 13
EXAMPLES OF NOUNS CORRESPONSING TO THEIR DECLENSIONS
STEM ENDING FORM
NOUN
a
nara
Gnā pāsāņe tițțhanti
i
aggi
Dīpay girimhi vasanti
ī
pakkhī
u
garu
Garu mayhaŋ susūnaŋ ucchavo adadi
ū
vidū
Viduno kulavat gehaŋ gacchiŋsu
ā
vanitā
Vanitāya nāvāhi gaogāyaŋ gacchantu
i
bhūmi
Yuvatīnaŋ pitaro ațaviyā āgamma bhuñjitvā sayiŋsu
ī
ārī
āriy sakhīhi saha vāpiŋ gantvā nahāyissanti
u
dhenu/ mātu
Dāsiyā mātā dhenuŋ rajjuyā bandhitvā ānesi
a
nayana
i
atthi
u
cakkhu
MASCULINE
EXAMPLE
Mantī hatthinaŋ Mantī hatthinaŋ āruhissati
FEMININE
NEUTER
Pāli for Beginners –
Dr. Ankur Barua
Dhanavant bhātarānaŋ dhanaŋ dātuŋ na icchanti Mayaŋ gāviyā khīraŋ, khīramha dadhiŋ, dadhimhā sappiñ ca labhāma Amhākaŋ pitar tadā vanamhā madhuŋ āharitvā dadhina saha bhuñjiŋsu
Page 14
PRONOUNS Pronouns in Pāli are also treated as Adjectives and they should be declined using the same Gender, Number and Case as the corresponding Noun.
Tw persnal prnuns like “Amha” and “Tumha” are declined separately because f their frequent usage. These are f the cmm n gender and have n vcative frm. We need t keep in mind that “te”, “me”, “v” and “n” shuld nt be used at the beginning f a sentence. They can a lso sometimes be used as adjectives while qualifying the nouns. Example: Ayaŋ sīh tamhā vanamhā nikkhamma imasmiŋ magge țhatvā ekaŋ itthiŋ māresi.
EXAMPLES OF PRONOUNS CORRESPONSING TO THE DECLENSIONS OF NOUNS STEM ENDING FORM
NOUN
a
nara
So gnā imasmiŋ pāsāņe tițțhanti
i
aggi
Ime dīpay tasmiŋ girismiŋ vasanti
ī
pakkhī
u
garu
Garu mayhaŋ susūnaŋ ucchav adadi
ū
vidū
Yo viduno taŋ gehaŋ gacchiŋsu?
ā
vanitā
Aññāy vanitāya nāvāhi itarāyaŋ gaogāyaŋ gacchantu
i
bhūmi
Katāmānāŋ Yuvatīnaŋ pitar o aparāya ațaviyā āgamma bhuñjitvā sayiŋsu
ī
ārī
u
dhenu/ mātu
a
nayana
i
atthi
u
cakkhu
MASCULINE
FEMININE
NEUTER
Pāli for Beginners –
Dr. Ankur Barua
EXAMPLE OF PRONOUNS
Mantī yaŋ hatthinaŋ āruhissati?
Āriy sabbāhi sakhīhi saha aññataraŋ vāpiŋ gantvā nahāyissanti Tassā dāsiyā mātā sabbaŋ dhenuŋ rajjuyā bandhitvā ānesi Dhanavanto tassa ubhayānaŋ bhātarānaŋ imaŋ dhanaŋ dātuŋ na icchanti
Mayaŋ sabbābhi gāvībhi khīraŋ labhāma Amhākaŋ sabbo pitaro tadā vanamhā madhuŋ āharitvā pivatiŋsu
Page 15
ADJECTIVES Adjectives add special quality and qualify the Nouns. They are declined by using the same Gender, Number and Case as their cprresponding Noun. In a given sentence, the Adjectives should be in agreement with the corresponding Noun in terms of Gender, Number and Case. Ordinary adjectives are
“seta” (white), “rassa” (shrt), “mahanta” (big) and s n. Example: Ratto gņ rassāni tiņāni khādati
Setā kaññā nīlam vatthaŋ paridahati
NOUNS USED AS ADJECTIVES
The declensin f verbal and prnminal adjectives and thse ending in “vantu” and “mantu” are different frm the ther adjec tives that qualify the nouns. Adjectival Nuns ending in “vantu” and “mantu” are differently declined frm the abve masculine nuns ending in “u”. They are ft en used as adjectives, but they become substantives substantives when they stand alone in the place of the person or the thing they qualify. These are declined in all genders. In
the feminine, they change their final vwel, e.g., guņavatī, sīlavatī, guavantī, sīlavantī. Thse ending in “mantu” shuld be declined as “cakkhumā”, “cakkhumant”, “cakkhumatā” and s n. As the adjectives qualify nouns, which are of different genders and numbers, they must agree with their substantives in gender, number and case. All
adjectives are declined like nuns in varius genders, numbers and cases accrding t their stem endings. Fr example, “dīgha”, “rassa” and others, which are ending in “a” f the abve list are declined in the masculine like “nara”, and in the neuter like “nayana”. In the feminine, they lengthen their last vwel and are declined like “vanitā”. Fr example, “setā kaññā rattaŋ vatthaŋ paridahati” which means that “a fair girl wears a red clth”. Here, “setā” (white / fair) is the adjective f “kaññā”(girl) in feminine gender, singular number and nminative case; s “setā has t be declined like “kaññā” using the same gender, number and case. Als, “rattaŋ”(red) is the adjective f “vatthaŋ”(clth) in neuter gender, singular number and accusative case; s “rattaŋ” has t be declined like “vatthaŋ” using the same gender, number and case. Thse ending in “u” such as “bahu” and “mudu” are declined like “garu”, “dhenu” and “cakkhu”. Smetimes these, ending in “u”, add “kā” in their feminine stem and then they are declined like “vanitā” e.g., “mudu” = “mudukā, “bahu” = “bahukā”.
Pāli for Beginners –
Dr. Ankur Barua
Page 16
The wrds ending in “ī”, like “mālī” (ne wh has a garland), take “ini” instead f “ī” while frming feminine stems e.g., “mālī” = “mālinī”. Here, “mālinī” and such thers are declined as “ārī”.
PRONOUNS USED AS ADJECTIVES Pronouns can stand alone and replace nouns as substantives and they are also sometimes used as adjectives adjectives to qualify nouns in a sentence. When they are used as Adjectives they should be declined using the same Gender, Number and Case as the corresponding Noun. Example: Sabbesaŋ nattār paññavant na bhavanti. Aparo aññissaŋ vāpiyaŋ nahātvā pubbāya disāya nagaraŋ pāvisi.
PARTICIPLES USED AS ADJECTIVES Participles are also sometimes used as adjectives to qualify nouns in a sentence. But unlike normal adjectives, which are derived from nouns, Participles are adjectives made out of a verb roots. There are Pr esent Prticiples, Past Participles Participles and Future Passive Participles which are used as adjectives. As they are used as Adjectives, they are also declined using the same Gender, Number and Case as the corresponding corresponding Noun. Example: (a) Tițțhant gņ tiņaŋ khādati,
Pāli for Beginners –
Dr. Ankur Barua
(b) Rukkhat tiņņā pakkhī, (c) Tumhehi dānāni dātabbāni honti
Page 17
Example of Present Participle used as Adjective:
Gāmaŋ gacchanto dārak ekaŋ gņaŋ disvā bhāyi.
Example of Past Participle used as Adjective:
Hīy araññaŋ gato so puriso ahinā dațțh mari.
Example of Future Passive Participle used as Adjective: Dāsena harīyamān ass vāņijānaŋ vikkiņitabb hoti.
NUMERICALS USED AS ADJECTIVES Numerical are often used as adjectives in qualifying nouns. In most of the time numericals are used in pleural form and they agree in terms of cases
with the crrespnding nuns. There are a few exceptins like “Eka” (ne), “Ti” (three) and “Catu” (fur) which are declined according to different genders.
Example: (a) Ayaŋ sīh tamhā vanamhā nikkhamma imasmiŋ magge țhatvā ekaŋ itthiŋ māresi. (b) Gacchantesu dasasu purisesu sattamo vāņij hti.
Ordinal numerical are used as adjectives for qualifying nouns in a sentence.
Example: Dvinnaŋ dhanavantānaŋ dutiyo tiŋsatiyā yācakānaŋ dānaŋ adāsi.
GENETIVE CASE (SINGULAR NUMBER) USED AS ADJECTIVES Genetive Singulars are also can be used as adjectives in qualifying nouns. These are exceptions and do not follow the general rule of nouns and adjectives. Here, the adjectives do not agree with their corresponding nouns in terms of gender, number and case. Example: Rajassa putto (son of the King). King).
Pāli for Beginners –
Dr. Ankur Barua
Page 18
EXAMPLES OF SOME COMMON ADJECTIVES CATEGORY
ADJECTIVES
MEANING
EXAMPLE
Gambhīra
Deep
Uttāna
Shallow
Vitthata
Wide / Broad
Khuddaka
Small
Kassako khuddake gehe vasati
Mahanta
Big / Large
Vāņij mahante vihāre vasati
Dīgha
Long
Rassa
Short / Dwarf
Ucca
High / Tall
Dīpay uccamhi girimhi vasanti
Nīca
Low / Vulgar
Mañcassa nīce sunakho sayati
Majjhima
Medium
Appaka
Few / Little
Dhanavanto appakaŋ dhanaŋ dātuŋ na icchanti
Bahu / Bahuka
Many / Much
Vānar pāsāņe nisiditvā bahukā ambā khadati
Santika
Near
Vidūra
Far
Kumāriy gambhīraŋ vāpiŋ gantvā nahāyissanti Yuvatīy uttāna vāpiŋ gantvā nahāyissanti Vanitāy nāvāhi vitthatayaŋ gaogāyaŋ gacchantu
Dāsiyā mātā dhenuŋ dīghayā rajjuyā bandhitvā ānesi Dhenu rassaŋ tinaŋ bhuñjati
Dimension & Quantity
Pāli for Beginners –
Dr. Ankur Barua
Majjhim bhātā pāt pāțhasālāŋ gacchati
Yuvatīy santikaŋ vāpiŋ gantvā nahāyissanti Suriy girismā vidūre pācine ākāse udeti
Page 19
EXAMPLES OF SOME COMMON ADJECTIVES (continued) CATEGORY
Colour
Texture & Quality
Pāli for Beginners –
ADJECTIVES
MEANING
Seta
White
Nīla
Blue
Nīle ākāse setā pakkhin uddenti
Ratta
Red
Mātā rattaŋ dhenuŋ rajjuyā bandhitvā ānesi
Kāļa
Black
Pīta
Yellow
Pītay dīpay girimhi vasanti
Khara
Rough / Course
Gnā khare pāsāņe tițțhanti
Mudu
Soft
Bāla
Foolish / Young
Paņdita
Wise
Paņdit Garu susūnaŋ ucchav adadi
Balavantu
Powerful
Mantī balavantaŋ hatthinaŋ āruhissati
Dubbala
Feeble
Yuvatīyā dubbalo pitar mañce sayiŋsu
Surūpa / Dassanīya
Beautiful / Handsome
Āma
Unripe
Pakka
Ripe
Dahara
Young
Mahallaka
Elderly / Old
Dr. Ankur Barua
EXAMPLE Setayo gavīy pāsāņe tițțhanti
Kāļ gn khette tinaŋ bhuñjati
Pitaro muduŋ danaŋ bhuñjiŋsu
Dhaņavā bālānaŋ bhātarānaŋ dhanaŋ dātuŋ na icchati
Surūpāy Vanitāy nāvāhi gaogāyaŋ gacchantu Sushu pasane nisiditvā amani phalāni khadati Vānar pakkani ambe bhuñjati Daharāya Yuvatīyā pitar danaŋ bhuñjitvā sayiŋsu Mahallakā Vidun mahantaŋ gehaŋ gacchiŋsu
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EXAMPLES OF ADJECTIVES CORRESPONSING TO THE DECLENSIONS OF NOUNS
STEM ENDING FORM
NOUN
a
nara
Setā gavīy khare pāsāņe tițțhanti
i
aggi
Pītay dīpay uccamhi girimhi vasanti
ī
pakkhī
u
garu
Paņdit Garu surūpaŋ susūnaŋ ucchav adadi
ū
vidū
Surūpā mahallakā Viduno mahantaŋ gehaŋ gacchiŋsu
ā
vanitā
Surūpāy Vanitāy nāvāhi vitthatayaŋ gaogāyaŋ gacchantu
i
bhūmi
Daharāya Yuvatīyā dubbalo pitaro muduŋ danaŋ bhuñjitvā sayiŋsu
ī
ārī
u
dhenu/ mātu
a
nayana
i
atthi
Setayā gāviyā khīraŋ ca sappiñ ca labhāma
u
cakkhu
Mahallakā pitaro setaŋ dadhiŋ bhuñjiŋsu
MASCULINE
EXAMPLE OF ADJECTIVES
Mahallako mantī balavantaŋ hatthinaŋ āruhissati
FEMININE
NEUTER
Pāli for Beginners –
Dr. Ankur Barua
Āriy santikaŋ gambhīraŋ vāpiŋ gantvā nahāyissanti Mahallikāya Dāsiyā mātā rattaŋ dhenuŋ dīghayā rajjuyā bandhitvā ānesi Dhanavanto bālānaŋ bhātarānaŋ appakaŋ dhanaŋ dātuŋ na i cchanti
Page 21
DECLENSION OF NOUNS Masculine Nun Stems ending in ‘a’
DECLENSION ACCORDING TO VARIOUS CASES
NOMINATIVE (SUBJECT)
ACCUSATIVE (OBJECT)
PREPOSITION
SINGULAR
PLEURAL
(suffix)
(suffix)
o
ā
ŋ
e
Subject To (Towards direction of action)
INSTRUMENTAL
By / with / through
ena
ebhi / ehi
DATIVE
For / to
āya / ssa
ānaŋ
ABLATIVE
From
ā / mhā / smā
ebhi / ehi
GENETIVE
Of
ssa
ānaŋ
LOCATIVE
In / on / at / upon
e / mhi / smiŋ
esu
VOCATIVE
Oh!
a/ā
ā
Here, Nominative Pleural form (subject) is similar to Vocative Pleural form (oh!) Here, Instrumental Pleural form (by / with / through) is similar to Ablative Pleural form (from) Here, Dative form (for / to) is similar to Genetive form (of)
Pāli for Beginners –
Dr. Ankur Barua
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DECLENSION OF NOUNS Masculine Noun Stems ending in ‘a’ (Declensin f “nara” meaning “man”) DECLENSION ACCORDING TO VARIOUS CASES
NOMINATIVE (SUBJECT) ACCUSATIVE (OBJECT)
PREPOSITION
SINGULAR
PLEURAL
Subject
Naro
Narā
Naraŋ
Nare
To (Towards direction of action)
INSTRUMENTAL
By / with / through
Narena
Narebhi / narehi
DATIVE
For / to
(Narāya /) narassa
Narānaŋ
ABLATIVE
From
Narā / naramhā / narasmā
Narebhi / narehi
GENETIVE
Of
Narassa
Narānaŋ
LOCATIVE
In / on / at / upon
Nare / naremhi / narasmiŋ
Naresu
VOCATIVE
Oh!
Nara / narā
Narā
Here, Nominative Pleural form (subject) is similar to Vocative Pleural form (oh!) Here, Instrumental Pleural form (by / with / through) is similar to Ablative Pleural form (from) Here, Dative form (for / to) is similar to Genetive form (of)
Pāli for Beginners –
Dr. Ankur Barua
Page 23
Some of the stems similarly declined like “nara” are – PĀLI NOUN STEMS
MEANING
PĀLI NOUN STEMS
MEANING
PĀLI NOUN STEMS
MEANING
Purisa
Man
Buddha
The Enlightened One
Dāsa
Slave
Manussa
Human being
Dhamma
Doctrine
Assa
Horse
Hattha
Hand
Saogha
The community
Bhūpala
King
Pāda
Leg / foot
Ālka
Light
Gona
Ox
Kāya
Body
Loka
World
Kassaka
Farmer
Rukkha
Tree
Ākāsa
Sky
Sunakha
Dog
Pāsāņa
Rock / stone
Suriya
Sun
Lekhaka
Clerk / Writer
Gāma
Village
Canda
Moon
Varāha
Pig
Magga
Path
Vihāra
Monastery
Deva
God / deity
Putta
Son
Dīpa
Island / lamp
Sakuņa
Bird
Āra / Kumāra
Boy
Mañca
Bed
Vānara
Monkey
Vāņija
Merchant
Āharā
Food
Aja
Goat
Cora
Thief
Sīha
Lion
Kāka
Crow
Mitta
Friend
Miga Miga
Deer
Ārāma
Garden / Park
Geha
House
Hattha
Hand
Magga
Path
Pāli for Beginners –
Dr. Ankur Barua
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DECLENSION OF PRONOUNS Persnal Prnun Stems ending in ‘a’ (Declensin f “amha” meaning “myself ”) DECLENSION ACCORDING TO
SINGULAR
PLEURAL
Ahaŋ
Mayaŋ / amhe
(I)
(we)
To
Maŋ / mamaŋ
Amhe / amhākaŋ / n
(Towards direction of action)
(me)
(us)
INSTRUMENTAL
By / with / through
Mayā / me
Amhebhi / amhehi
DATIVE
For / to
Mama / mayhaŋ / me/ mamaŋ
Amhaŋ / amhākaŋ
ABLATIVE
From
Mayā
Amhebhi / amhehi
GENETIVE
Of
Mama / mayhaŋ / me/ mamaŋ
Amhaŋ / amhākaŋ
LOCATIVE
In / on / at / upon
Mayi
Amhesu
VOCATIVE
Oh!
NA
NA
VARIOUS CASES
NOMINATIVE (SUBJECT)
ACCUSATIVE (OBJECT)
PREPOSITION
Subject
Here, Instrumental form (by / w ith / through) is similar to Ablative form (from). The Nominative Pleural form is similar to the Accusative Pleural form. Here, Dative form (for / to) is similar to Genetive form (of) Pāli for Beginners –
Dr. Ankur Barua
Page 25
DECLENSION OF NUMERALS (Declensin f “eka” meaning “ne”, which is declined like relative prnun “ya” in three genders, singular frm) DECLENSION ACCORDING TO
PREPOSITION
MASCULINE
NEUTER
FEMININE
NOMINATIVE (SUBJECT)
Subject
Eko
Ekaŋ
Ekā
ACCUSATIVE (OBJECT)
(Towards direction of
Ekaŋ
Ekaŋ
Ekaŋ
VARIOUS CASES
To action) INSTRUMENTAL
By / with / through
Ekena
Ekena
Ekāya
DATIVE
For / to
Ekassa
Ekassa
Ekassā / Ekāya
ABLATIVE
From
Ekamhā / Ekasmā
Ekamhā / Ekasmā
Ekāya
GENETIVE
Of
Ekassa
Ekassa
Ekassā / Ekāya
LOCATIVE
In / on / at / upon
Ekamhi / Ekasmiŋ
Ekamhi / Ekasmiŋ
Ekassaŋ / Ekāyaŋ
VOCATIVE
Oh!
NA
NA
NA
Here, Nominative form is similar similar to Accusative form and Instrumental form (by / with / through) is similar to Ablative form (from) Here, Dative form (for / to) is similar to Genetive form (of)
Amng the Numerals, nly “Eka”, “Ti” and “Catu” are declined differently in all genders. Here, “Eka” is singular but “Ti” and “Catu” are pleural.
Pāli for Beginners –
Dr. Ankur Barua
Page 26
PĀLI VERBS AND THEIR USES Conjugations of verbs: There are three tenses, two voices, two numbers and three persons in the conjugation of Pāli verbs. The third person in English is equivalent to the first person in Pāli . The numbers are similar to those those of the English nuns like “singular” and “pleural”. There is n attempt t cnjugate the cntinuus, perfect and Perfect Continuos Tenses in Pāli . Therefore, only the indefinite forms are used in place of continuous forms in Pāli . Details are as follows:
TENSES (1) Vattamānakāla
=
Present Tense
(2) Atītakāla
=
Past Tense
(3) Anāgatakāla
=
Future Tense
(1) Kattukāraka
=
Active Voice
(2) Kammakāraka
=
Passive Voice
(1) Pațhamapurisa
=
Third Person
(2) Majjhimapurisa
=
Second Person
(3) Uttamapurisa
=
First Person
(1) Ekavacana
=
Singular
(2) Bahuvacana
=
Pleural
VOICE
PERSON
NUMBER
Pāli for Beginners –
Dr. Ankur Barua
Page 27
There are seven different conjugations in Pāli . They are called dhātugaņas (grups f rts). The verbal rt with the cnjugatin frms the “verbal
base”. The “verbal base” with the suffix frms the differen t tenses in Pāli grammer. Each dhātugaņa has ne r mre different cnjugatinal signs, which cme between the rt and the verbal terminatin. The seven conjugations and their signs are: st
1 cnjugatin = Bhuvādigaņa → “a” nd
2 cnjugatin = Rudhādigaņa → “m -a” rd
3 cnjugatin = Divādigaņa → “ya” th
4 cnjugatin = Svādigaņa → “ņ” / “ņu” / “uņā” th
5 cnjugatin = Kiyādigaņa → “ņā” th
6 cnjugatin = Tanādigaņa → “” / “yira” th
7 cnjugatin = Curādigaņa → “e” / “aya” A great number of roots are included in the first and the seventh grup. The rts “paca” and “bhū” given abve, belng t the first cnjugatin. The last
vwel f “paca” is drpped befre the cnjugatinal sign “a”. The mnsyllabic rts like “bhū” d nt drp their vwel. It is “guņated” r strengthened before the conjugational sign: (1) If “i” / “ī” is strengthened, then it becmes “e” (2) If “u” / “ū” is strengthened, then it becmes “”
Pāli for Beginners –
Dr. Ankur Barua
Example, (nī + a) → (ne +a) Example, (bhū + a) → (bh +a)
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Then these forms undergo further change in the following manner to form the verbal base: (1) Then “e” fllwed by “a” is further changed int “ay”
Example, (ne + a) → (naya)
(2) Then “” fllwed by “a” is further changed int “av”
Example, (bho + a) → (bhava)
The “verbal rt” with its cnjugatinal sign thus frms what is called the “verbal base”. In the first example, “nī” is the verbal rt and “naya” is the verbal base. In the secnd example, “bhū” is the verbal rt and “bhava” is the verbal base.
The seventh conjugation The special feature of the first conjugation is that the last vowel of the base is lengthened before the First Personal endings. The same rule is applied for
the bases ending with “a” f the 2 nd, 3rd, 6th and 7th conjugations, in addition to their special features. The bases of the seventh cnjugatin are f tw kinds as it has tw cnjugatinal signs, eg., frm the rt “pāla” tw bases “pāle” and “pālaya” are rd
formed. They are derived in the present tense 3 persn singular as “pāleti” and “pālayati” respectively. rd
The conjugatinal sign “ņa” f the fifth grup is shrtened in the 3 persn pleural, eg., “vikkiņanti”, where the singular frm is “vikkiņāti”.
Pāli for Beginners –
Dr. Ankur Barua
Page 29
DERIVATION OF PĀLI VERBS IN THREE TENSES (VERB ROOT + CONJUGATION SIGN = VERBAL BASE) (VERBAL BASE + SUFFIX = DERIVATION IN PERSON AND NUMBER)
(A)
PRESENT TENSE SUFFIXES THRID PERSON SECOND PERSON FIRST PERSON
(B)
SINGULAR (so) ti
(tvaŋ) (ahaŋ)
PLEURAL
si mi
(te) (tumhe)
anti tha
(mayaŋ)
ma
PAST TENSE SUFFIXES THRID PERSON SECOND PERSON FIRST PERSON
SINGULAR (so) i
(tvaŋ) (ahaŋ)
iŋ
PLEURAL
(te)
iŋsu
(tumhe)
ittha
(mayaŋ)
imha / imhā
(C)FUTURE (C) FUTURE TENSE SUFFIXES THRID PERSON SECOND PERSON FIRST PERSON
Pāli for Beginners –
Dr. Ankur Barua
SINGULAR (so) issati
(tvaŋ) (ahaŋ)
issasi issāmi
PLEURAL (te) issanti (tumhe) issatha
(mayaŋ)
issāma
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PĀLI INDECLINABLES PĀLI CONJUNCTIONS (indeclinables) (1) Cnjunctin fr Instrumental case t shw assciatin with living beings is ften used as “saha”
r “saddhim” in Pāli . P āli . (2) Cnjunctin “and” is used as “ca” / “api” / “pi” in Pāli (3) Cnjugatin “r” is used as “vā” in Pāli . ENGLISH CONJUNCTIONS
PĀLI CONJUNCTIONS
WITH
Saha / Saddhim
AND
Ca / Api / Pi
OR
Vā / Athavā
IF
Sace / Yadi / Ce
BUT
Tathā pi
NEITHER - NOR
Vā - na
EITHER - OR
Vā
Pāli for Beginners –
Dr. Ankur Barua
Page 31
PĀLI PHRASES FROM TEXTS PĀLI PHRASE
ENGLISH TRANSLATION OF PĀLI PHRASE
1
Tassa evaŋ hti
This idea comes to him
2
Tassa etadahosi
This idea came to him
3
Tassa evamassa
This idea would come to him
4
Muhuttam āgamehi
Wait (for) a moment
5
Nālaŋ dārabharaņāya
Unfit for keeping up a family
6
Mamaccayena
After me
7
Samahite Samahite citte (locative absolutive)
In the concentrated mind
8
Upamā maŋ pațibhāti
A simile came to me
9
Nāti dūre nāccāsanne
Neither too far not too near
10
Kālaŋ karti
Dies
11
Appaŋ vā bahuŋ vā
A little or a lot / Less or more
12
Rattindivaŋ
Day and night
13
Khaņe khaņe
Moment by moment
14
Saddhaŋ patilabhati
Gains faith
15
Sat Sampajān
Being mindful and aware
Sl. No.
Pāli for Beginners –
Dr. Ankur Barua
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References
1. Collins, S. 2006. Pāli Grammar for Students. Silkworm Books. (ISBN 978-974-9511-13-8). 2. Gair, J., Karunatilleke, W.S. 1998. A New Course in Reading Pāli : Entering the Word of the Buddha. Delhi, India: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers. (ISBN 81-208-1440-1). 3. Buddhadatta, A.P. 2006. The New Pāli Course: Parts I & II. Dehiwala, Sri Lanka: Buddhist Cultural Centre. 4. Bodhi, B. 2009. A Course in the Pāli Language. Lafayette, NJ, USA: Bodhi Monastery. 5. Bullitt, J.T. 2009. A Guide to Learning the Pāli Language. Electronic source: http://www.accesst http://www.accesstoinsight.org/l oinsight.org/lib/authors/bull ib/authors/bullitt/learning itt/learningPāli .html.. .html 6. Warder, A.K. 1991. Introduction to Pāli . London: Pāli Text Society. 7. De Silva, L. 1994. Pāli Primer. Igatpuri, India: Vipassana Research Institute. 8. Johansson, Rune E.A. 1998. Pāli Buddhist Texts: An Introductory Reader and Grammar. Scandinavian Institute of Asian Studies Monograph Series, No. 14. London: Routledge/Curzon. Routledge/Curzon. 9. Muller, E. 1986. Pāli Language. Delhi: Bharatiya Book Corporation. 10. Vidyabhushan, N.C., Ghose, M.K. 1982. A Pāli Grammar. Calcutta: Kiron Moy Ghose.
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Dr. Ankur Barua
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