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sāraṇīyaṁ

sāraṇīya

adjective, accusative singular neuter

1. worth protecting or sheltering
2. worthy of care
3. to be fostered

Built from

• ā — prefix · toward, up to
  Reversal or completion: what one should turn toward and cultivate.
• sṛ — root · protect, shelter
  Ancient root for guarding or caring for; concretely 'to shelter', abstractly 'to tend or foster'.
• -aṇīya — ending · worthy of, fit for
  Gerundive suffix forming adjectives meaning 'to be done' or 'worthy of'; here marks a quality as deserving protection or cultivation.

Analysis. sāraṇīya is a gerundive formation from √sṛ 'to protect, shelter' (prefixed with ā-), meaning 'that which should be protected or cared for'.

Etymology. From ā- (toward, up to) + √sṛ (protect, care for), an old root meaning to shelter or guard. The sense develops from concrete protection to abstract worthiness of care in doctrinal contexts, especially regarding virtues and mental qualities to be cultivated.

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

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