One reason why I feel so na gnas pa should mean “to be at the
brink/verge/edge/threshold of” is because I interpret so to mean “tooth/edge.”
But obviously it is wrong because it is said to mean “to persist/prevail.” Cf. sngar gnas sor bzhag, where sngar gnas and sor bzhag are actually quasi-synonymous. In short: so so na
gnas pa = so sor gnas pa = so na gnas
pa = sor gnas.
Dear D,
ReplyDeleteSo so na equals sor, and in both cases the so means "as is" or "as was."
Does sor chud-pa mean to make things like they were, to restore?
These so (and sor) syllables are a source of much confusion for Tibetan learners, aren't they?
Maybe sngar gnas sor bzhag could just be translated "left alone to remain as it was before"?
Yours,
D
Dear D,
ReplyDeleteYes all points taken. So so na gnas pa = so sor gnas pa = so na gnas pa = sor gnas.
D.
Dear D,
ReplyDeleteI've noticed Longchenpa uses these "so" words quite a lot, which makes him something of a conservative, doesn't it? What does gtad-so mean? I do like the tooth interpretations quite a lot. We have a rather rare American (?) expression "to set your teeth on edge." When something does that to you it means it gets on your nerves. Like an irritating grating sound, or my neighbor when he plays his bagpipes. I guess it means that it makes you want to clench your teeth together tightly, but I'm not sure of that. Whatever makes you edgy.
Yours,
D
Dear Dan,
ReplyDeleteWithout even attempting to verify, I would think that so in gtad so would mean “point” or “edge.” And I imagine gtad so to mean a kind of “support/prop” or Anhalt (in German) or perhaps even Anhaltspunkt (point of reference).
Yours,
D.