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pariyogāḷhadhammo
pariyogāḷhadhamma
masc nom sg of pariyogāḷhadhamma (adj)
- who has deeply penetrated the Dhamma
Built from
- pari- — prefix · around, completely
The prefix keeps its spatial sense of all-round encirclement, used here to intensify the thoroughness of penetration. Cognate with Greek peri- (perimeter).
- o- — prefix · down, into
Variant of ava-/ava. Signals downward plunging or immersion, the concrete act of diving into depth.
- gāh- — root · plunge, immerse
Root meaning to dive or go deep. The image of bodily immersion into water becomes the metaphor for deep mental absorption.
- -āḷha — ending · soaked, saturated (past participle)
Derived participle marking completed immersion; forms an adjective describing the state of being thoroughly saturated or soaked through.
- dhamma — stem · Dhamma, teaching
The object of penetration; in Buddhist usage, the doctrine or law. Combines with the participial adjective to form the compound.
Analysis. pari + ogāḷha + dhamma: 'around' + 'deeply soaked/saturated' + 'teaching'; the compound describes one whose mind is saturated through-and-through with the Dhamma, as if immersed in it from all sides.
Etymology. pari- (around, completely; Greek peri-, Latin per-) + ogāḷha (past participle of ogāhati 'to dive in, immerse', from o- + √gāh 'to plunge'; cognate with English 'engulf'). The spatial image of complete immersion—diving in all the way—carries the abstract sense of thorough understanding.