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avipariṇāmadhammo
avipariṇāmadhamma
masc nom sg of avipariṇāmadhamma (adj)
- with unchanging nature; of stable condition
Built from
- a — prefix · not, without
Negation; removes the quality of change. Cognate: English un-, Greek a(n)-.
- vi — prefix · apart, asunder
First layer of intensification, indicating differentiation or movement in varied directions.
- pari — prefix · around, all the way round
Second layer, suggesting complete or total transformation; combined with vi- = complete alteration.
- ṇā — root · turn, lead
Sanskrit nīyate 'is led'; the image of something being turned or transformed.
- m — ending · abstract noun suffix
Nominalizes the verbal root into an abstract quality (vipariṇāma = alteration/change).
- dhamma — stem · nature, quality, thing
Derivative of √dhā 'to place/put'; the inherent condition or property (what is 'placed' or 'established' in something).
- o — ending · masc nom sg
Nominative singular masculine ending, marking the subject or predicate nominative.
Analysis. a- (not) + vipariṇāma (change, alteration) + dhamma (nature, quality). The compound means 'nature that does not undergo alteration'; often applied to the deathless or Nibbāna in the suttas.
Etymology. vi- (apart, asunder) + pari- (around) + √nī (lead, turn: Sanskrit nīyate, English 'lead') + -māna (abstract noun suffix). Vipariṇāma itself means 'change' or 'alteration' — the image is of something being turned or led in different directions (vi- + pari- showing completeness of transformation). Dhamma from √dhā (place, put: Sanskrit dhāti, English 'do'). The prefix a- negates the whole: unchanging by nature.