‹ Back to the text

vīriyaṁ

vīriya

accusative singular neuter of vīriya (n.)

1. energy, vigour, effort
2. one of the five spiritual faculties (indriya) and powers (bala)
3. striving, exertion (especially in meditation and the path)

Built from

• vīr — root · be strong, manly
  Denotes vigour and heroic strength; cognate with Sanskrit vīra (hero), Latin vir (man) and vis (force), English virile. The concrete image of masculine power underlies the abstract virtue.
• ya — ending · abstract noun suffix
  Derives abstract qualities from roots and stems; here transforms the verbal root into the quality of being vigorous.

Etymology. From root √vīr 'to be strong' (cf. Sanskrit vīra 'hero', vīrya 'vigour'; Latin vir 'man', vis 'force'; English virile). The suffix -ya forms abstract nouns. The spatial or concrete imagery traces through 'manly strength' to the more general sense of vigorous capability.

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

Lite mode — plain HTML for e-readers and old browsers. Full version