Analytical study of “Kilasu”
Kilāsu word was used in below sentence.
Bhagavā ca, sāriputta, vipassī bhagavā ca sikhī bhagavā ca vessabhū kilāsuno ahesuṃ sāvakānaṃ vitthārena dhammaṃ desetuṃ
It was translated as Buddha Vipassi etc were wearied to preach Dhamma in detail to disciples.
The commentary explains when the Buddha was preaching the ḍhamma, he preached with even effort. It is not when he sees few listeners, he is lack of effort, nor excessive effort when he sees many listeners. Thus, kilāsuno ahesuṃ should not be translated as wearied or tired or lack of effort.
However, in this case, it can be translated as “Buddha Vipassi etc have little wish to preach Dhamma in detail to disciples.”
The analysis of kilāsu
It has two roots: 1. √las (desire/wish), 2. glā (be wearied)
It has two main meanings: 1. little wish/desire , 2. be tired.
Its verb is gilāyati in Pāḷi or √glāyati in Sanskrit.
First meaning is little wish
Lasa kantiyaṃ, appaṃ lasatīti kilāsu . kiṃ+lasa+ṇu. lasakantiyaṃ, appaṃ lasatīti kilāsu
Lasa has the meaning of kanti, little wish, thus, it is called “kilāsu”. Word formation is :
kiṃ + √las + ṇu > kilāsu
Sanskrit
The Sanskrit root for it is √glai (pìtikkhaye = loss of joy) .When suffix ‘su’ is added, glāsu is formed. The consonant ‘g’ becomes ‘k’ because there is possible to interchange between same group just like chagala becomes chakala (goat). And ‘i’ is inserted between ‘g’ and ‘l’.
(√glai + su > glāsu > kilāsu)
Kilāsu is equivalent to “glāsnu” in Sanskrit. It means – “exhausted by fatigue or disease, languid. Here, “g” becomes “k” and “i” is inserted between “g” and “l”. ‘Sr’ becomes ‘ss’. Then, to preserve long vowel ‘ā’, double consonant ‘ss’ becomes single ‘s’.
(glāsnu > kilāssu > kilāsu)
Second meaning : fatigue, tired
Kilāsubhāvo kilamatho (fatigue; weariness); Kilāsubhāvo parissāmo (Fatigue, exertion).
Commentaries explain kilāsu as not tired, but making no effort.
Kilāsuno ahesunti appossukkā ahesuṃ, nirussāhā ahesunti attho… ālasiyavasena kilāsuno nāhesunti attho…. Ālasiyaṃ vāti iminā thinamiddhavasappavattānaṃ akusalānaṃ abhāvamāha.
Kilāsuno ahesuṃ means apposukka - inactive, not bothering, not anxious. Appossukka is further explained by nirussāha -not making effort. It means kilāsuno is not laziness. And also laziness means the unwholesome states that happening under the control of thinamiddha. Since, the Buddha has eradicated unwholesome states, he has no more laziness. That’ why kilāsu does not mean laziness.
Conclusion
Why Buddha has little wish to preach Dhamma? The commentator explains there is no need for the Buddhas to preach Dhamma at that time because the people at that time are long-life and the audience also have less defilements. So that’s why Buddhas have little wish to preach Dhamma at that time.
Another suitable translation according to the context would be – “There is no need for Buddha Vipassi etc to preach Dhamma in detail to disciples.”
Further notes:
Root √glā has other meanings.
1.gilāna (sick, unwell) –gile + yu, gila + yu, Skt:glāna
√gil + ana > gilāna
2.isigila (swallowed the hermit) – isi + gila. verb=gilati (to swallow)
Confusion
1. kilāsu can be confused with kilamati ( to be tired/wearied)
Sk. klamati, a variation of śramati sri from sri to lean
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