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nīvaraṇapabbaṁ

nīvaraṇapabbam

noun, accusative singular (neuter); or nominative/accusative plural (neuter) — contracted sandhi form nīvaraṇapabbaṁ (pabbam → pabbaṁ before a consonant)

1. chapter on the hindrances
2. section dealing with the five hindrances

Built from

• nī — prefix · down, blocking
  The prefix ni- (into, down) with the root √var (to hinder, obstruct) creates the sense of obstructions that block the path of practice.
• varaṇa — stem · hindering, obstacle
  The abstract noun formed from √var (to cover, hinder, obstruct).
• pabbam — stem · chapter, section
  From Sanskrit pra-bhāga, literally 'division forward'; in Buddhist texts, a chapter or section of a work.

Analysis. nīvaraṇa (the five hindrances: sensual desire, ill-will, sloth-torpor, restlessness-remorse, doubt) + pabbam (chapter, section, division of a text). The compound treats the hindrances as the topic of the chapter.

Etymology. nīvaraṇa < ni- (down, into, blocking) + √varati (to hinder, close off); pabbam < pra-bhāga (division, section, chapter); Sanskrit prabhaṅga. The prefix ni- expresses the sense of turning inward or blocking in the sense of obstruction.

Meanings from the Digital Pāḷi Dictionary; morphology and etymology by Claude.

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