Mahâ-Parinibbâna-Suttanta: The Book of the Great Decease

p. 66 The mind set round with intelligence is freed from the great evils--that is to say, from sensuality, from individuality, from delusion, and from ignorance.' 5. Now when the Blessed One had remained at Bhanda-gâma as long as he desired, he addressed the venerable Ânanda, and said: 'Come, Ânanda, let us go on to Hatthi-gâma.' Even so, Lord!' said Ânanda, in assent, to the Blessed One. Then the Blessed One proceeded with a great company of the brethren to Hatthi-gâma. 6. [And in similar words it is then related how the Blessed One went on to Amba-gâma, to Gambu-gâma, and to Bhoga-nagara.] 7. Now there at Bhoga-nagara the Blessed One stayed at the Ânanda Ketiya. There the Blessed One addressed the brethren, and said: 'I will teach you, O brethren, these four Great References[1]. Listen thereto, and give good heed, and I will speak.' 'Even so, Lord!' said the brethren, in assent[2], to [1. The meaning of mahâpadesa is not quite clear. Perhaps it should be rendered true authorities. I have followed Buddhaghosa in taking apadesa as the last part of the compound. He says, mahâpadesâ ti mahâ-okâse mahâ-apadese vâ. Buddhâdayo mahante mahante apadisitvâ vuttâni mahâkaranânî ti attho, 'the causes (authorities) alleged when referring to Buddha and other great men.' 2. I ought perhaps to have explained why I have ventured to differ from Childers in the rendering of the common word pati-sunâti. The root sru seems to have meant 'to sound' before it meant 'to hear;' and, whether this be so or not, pati-sunâti means not simply 'to consent,' but 'to answer (assentingly).' it {footnote p. 67} has been pointed out to me that answer was formerly 'and-swerian,' where swerian is probably not unrelated to the root svar, 'to sound.']