nyes dmigs:
The Tibetan word nyes dmigs
renders the Sanskrit ādīnava (Mahāvyutpatti, no. 7309; Negi et al. 1993–2005: s.v. nyes dmigs) but what could be its etymology? What is dmigs doing in nyes dmigs? Perhaps “those qualities that have calamity (nyes) as their objectives or objective supports (dmigs).” Any suggestion out there?
I don't know the answer, but I do see that the Edgerton dictionary (Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit), at p. 94, has quite a long entry for the Sanskrit word ādīnava. Mostly it seems to mean 'wretchedness' and 'misery' more than 'bad points' or 'faults.' You can see there that it's mainly a Buddhist expression and rare otherwise, although there is a Vedic example, with ādīnava-darśa. I wonder if that might not be worth looking into further. I'm thinking the darśa might account for the dmigs?? Anyway, I'm glad we're having this conversation!
ReplyDeleteYours, D