Kavisutta
A Poet
“Kiṁsu nidānaṁ gāthānaṁ, “What’s the source of verses?
kiṁsu tāsaṁ viyañjanaṁ; What constitutes their phrasing?
Kiṁsu sannissitā gāthā, What do verses depend upon?
kiṁsu gāthānamāsayo”ti. What underlies verses?”
“Chando nidānaṁ gāthānaṁ, “Metre is the source of verses.
akkharā tāsaṁ viyañjanaṁ; Syllables constitute their phrasing.
Nāmasannissitā gāthā, Verses depend on names.
kavi gāthānamāsayo”ti. A poet underlies verses.”
Jarā ajarasā mittaṁ,
vatthu tīṇi janāni ca;
Uppatho ca dutiyo ca,
kavinā pūrito vaggoti.
