Verified
Grammatical Analysis
Jātakaṭṭhavaṇṇanā: [f.] The Explanation of the Meaning of the Jātakas. Formed by jātaka (birth story) + attha (meaning) + vaṇṇanā (explanation, description, commentary).
Orthodox Definition
The Jātakaṭṭhavaṇṇanā is the colossal prose commentary on the Jātaka verses. Traditionally attributed to Buddhaghosa (though likely compiled by a collective of Mahāvihāra monks), it is the primary vehicle for Theravāda storytelling.
Because the canonical Jātaka consists almost entirely of cryptic verses, the entire narrative body of the 547 past-life stories of the Buddha exists solely within this commentary. It provides the “Story of the Present” (the incident that prompted the Buddha to speak), the “Story of the Past” (the actual past-life narrative), the verses, the word-by-word explanation, and the “Identification” (where the Buddha reveals who the past characters are in the present).
Its famous introduction, the Nidānakathā, serves as the definitive, orthodox biography of Gotama Buddha, spanning from his vow before Dīpaṅkara Buddha to his enlightenment and the donation of Jetavana.
Quote
Sā panāyaṃ jātakassa atthavaṇṇanā dūrenidānaṃ, avidūrenidānaṃ, santikenidānanti imāni tīṇi nidānāni dassetvā vaṇṇiyamānā ye naṃ suṇanti, tehi samudāgamato paṭṭhāya viññātattā yasmā suṭṭhu viññātā nāma hoti, tasmā taṃ tāni nidānāni dassetvā vaṇṇayissāma.
This commentary on the meaning of the Jātaka, when expounded by presenting these three introductions—the Remote Introduction (Dūrenidāna), the Not-Too-Remote Introduction (Avidūrenidāna), and the Immediate Introduction (Santikenidāna)—is well understood because it is known by those who hear it from its very origin. Therefore, we shall expound it by presenting these introductions.Tattha ādito tāva tesaṃ nidānānaṃ paricchedo veditabbo.
First, the division of these introductions should be understood.Dīpaṅkarapādamūlasmiñhi katābhinīhārassa mahāsattassa yāva vessantarattabhāvā cavitvā tusitapure nibbatti, tāva pavatto kathāmaggo dūrenidānaṃ nāma.
The narrative course that occurred from the time the Great Being made his aspiration at the feet of Dīpaṅkara Buddha until his rebirth in Tusita heaven after passing away from the existence as Vessantara, is called the Remote Introduction (Dūrenidāna).Tusitabhavanato pana cavitvā yāva bodhimaṇḍe sabbaññutappatti, tāva pavatto kathāmaggo avidūrenidānaṃ nāma.
The narrative course that occurred from his passing away from Tusita heaven until his attainment of omniscience at the Bodhi-maṇḍa, is called the Not-Too-Remote Introduction (Avidūrenidāna).Santikenidānaṃ pana tesu tesu ṭhānesu viharato tasmiṃ tasmiṃyeva ṭhāne labbhatīti.
The Immediate Introduction (Santikenidāna), however, is obtained in each respective place where the Buddha dwelled.— Jātakaṭṭhavaṇṇanā (Nidānakathā)
Textual References
- Subject Matter: Commentary on the Jātaka.