A History of Indian Literature v2.c19.s3.t2.37

v2.c19.s3.t2.37

**3.** While the Dhammapada is merely a collection of verses, and it was only at a later period that narratives were added in the form of a commentary no longer belonging to the canon, relating on what occasion the single verses were uttered, the Udāna,³ the collection of "pithy sayings," consists of verses and narratives. The work is divided into 8 Vaggas or "sections," each of which contains 10 Suttas. These Suttas are generally quite short narratives recounting some event of the time of Buddha, and ending with a pithy utterance which the Buddha, inspired by this event, is said to have "breathed out," *i.e.*, to which he gave vigorous expression. The standing phrase which introduced the actual Udāna, *i.e.*, "exhalation," generally a verse (Śloka, Triṣṭubh or Jagatī) and rarely a prose saying, reads: "Now when the Lord had gained knowledge of this matter, he uttered the following pithy saying on this occasion." Most of these utterances serve to glorify the Buddhist ideal of life, the deep blissful repose of mind of the saint (Arhat) torn away from all earthly things, the endless bliss of Nirvāṇa.