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vīriyasambojjhaṅgaṁ
vīriyasambojjhaṅga
masculine accusative singular of a compound noun
- effort-factor of awakening (one of the seven enlightenment-factors)
- the power of vigorous exertion directed toward liberation
Built from
- vīriya — stem · vigor, energy
From vīra (hero, strong man) + abstract suffix -iya. Cognate with Latin vir (man, hero). Denotes the active power to overcome sloth and apply oneself to the path.
- sam — prefix · together, completely
The prefix sam- brings things into one whole, turning bodhi (awakening) into a structured compound with aṅga (limbs/factors). Works like Latin con- (congregation, collection).
- bodhi — stem · awakening, enlightenment
From √budh (to awaken, wake up). The bodhi-tree and bodhisattva are marked by this root; it signifies the supreme awakening of the Buddha.
- aṅga — stem · limb, factor, constituent
Literally a limb or member of the body; extended to mean a component or factor, here the component enlightenment-factors of the Path.
- ṁ — ending · accusative singular
The accusative ending -aṁ marks the direct object in the sentence, here receiving the action of a verb of taking up or cultivating.
Analysis. vīriya (vigor, energy, effort) + sambojjhaṅga (awakening-factor, limb of enlightenment). The compound names effort as one of the seven factors (satta sambojjhaṅgā) that ripen wisdom and lead to awakening. In the Eightfold Path and the enlightenment-factors, this term denotes the sustained active cultivation of the mind in practice.
Etymology. vīriya from vīra (hero, strong man; Latin vir, English were-wolf) + the abstract noun suffix -iya; sambojjhaṅga from sam (together) + bodhi (awakening) + aṅga (limb, factor). The prefix sam- gathers things into one whole, rendering bodhi concrete as a structured edifice of factors.