SAUNDARANANDA 5.36: The Best of Listeners Does Not Take 'No' for an Answer

shrutv" aatha nandasya maniiShitaM tad
buddhaaya vaideha-muniH shashaMsa
saMshrutya tasmaad api tasya bhaavaM
mahaa-munir nandam uvaaca bhuuyaH

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5.36
On hearing Nanda's idea,

The Videha sage related it to the Buddha;

And so,
after hearing from him also as to Nanda's actual state,

The Great Sage spoke to Nanda again:


COMMENT:
The main point of this verse, as I read it, is that the Buddha not only took account of what Ananda reported that Nanda had said about his unwillingness to go forth: the Buddha, who elsewhere Ashvaghosha praises as the best of listeners, gave his close attention to what Nanda in his heart of hearts actually wanted and was actually capable of. And on that basis, the Buddha did not take 'no' for an answer.

EH Johnston:
On this the Vaideha sage hearing Nanda's intention told it to the Buddha ; the Great Sage, learning from him too about Nanda's state of mind, spoke to the latter again :--

Linda Covill:
The sage of Videha took note of Nanda's disinclination and told the Buddha about it. The great sage also heard from him about Nanda's state of mind, and so spoke to him again:


VOCABULARY:
shrutvaa = abs. shru: to hear, learn
atha: ind. then, and so
nandasya (gen. sg.): Nanda's
maniiShitam (acc. sg.): n. wish , desire
tad (acc. sg. n.): that , it

buddhaaya (dat. sg.): to the Buddha
vaideha-muniH (nom. sg. m.): the sage of Videha , Ananda
shashaMsa = 3rd pers. sg. perfect shaMs: to recite , repeat

saMshrutya = abs. saM- √ shru : to hear or hear from (e.g. mukhaat , " from any one's mouth ") , attend or listen attentively
tasmaat (abl. sg. m.): from him
tasmaat: ind. from that , on that account , therefore
api: ind. and , also , moreover , besides , assuredly , surely (emphatic)
tasya (gen. sg. m.): his
bhaavam: m. state , condition ; true condition or state , truth , reality ; manner of acting , conduct , behaviour ; any state of mind or body , way of thinking or feeling , sentiment , opinion , disposition , intention ; purport , meaning , sense ; the seat of the feelings or affections , heart , soul , mind

mahaa-muniH (nom. sg. m.) the great sage
nandam (acc. sg.): Nanda
uvaaca = 3rd pers. sg. perfect vac: to say, speak
bhuuyaH: ind. again, once more, further