C. 7 Prefix indications

There are twenty prefixes used in Pali. They are termed upasagga in Sanskrit and in Pali commentarial literature. In Pali grammatical works, however, they are called upasāra. They are given here with their Sanskrit counterparts also in brackets wherever they are not identical with the corresponding Pali forms.

Ati, Adhi, Anu, Apa, Api, Abhi, Ava, Ā, U (Ut)2, Upa, O3, Du (Duḥ)4, Ni (Ni / Nir)5, Pa (Pra), Pati (Prati), Parā, Pari, Vi, Saṃ, Su.

A prefix may be used, to modify or to reverse the sense of the verb, or the noun, with which it is combined. Otherwise, it is a mere element that carries no par- ticular sense.

Ex. √ car - "to go, to move" ati √ car - "to go beyond, to overtake, to invade" (ati as modifier) √ ji - "to win, to conquer" parā √ ji - "to lose, to be defeated" (parā as reverser)

√ car - "to practise, to perform" ā√ car - the same (ā as a mere element)

a. Prefix-Defining indication (upasāraliṅgapadasaṃvaṇṇanā) Ex. abhīti upasaggo The phrase upasaggo indicates that abhi is a prefix.

b. Prefix-sense indication (upasāraliṅgatthasaṃvaṇṇanā)

Ex. āgantvā ramanaṃ ārammanaṃ.

The phrase āgantvā indicates that ā of ārammanaṃ is a prefix having the sense, " having come".

2 Ut is changed into Ud when followed by vowels or soft consonants.

3 Ava is used instead of O in Sanskrit.

4 Duh is changed into Dur, Dus, Duw, Dus, or Du, owing to Sandhi.

5 Ni and Nir have different senses in Sankrit. But they are represented in Pali by the single form Ni only.