Ā gho

The letter ‘ā’, when it means feminine [gender], is named ‘gha’.

Examples: saddhāya (by/with confidence), kaññāya (by/with the girl), vīṇāya (by/with the lute), gaṅgāya (by/with the river Ganges), disāya (by/with the direction), sālāya (by/with the hall), mālāya (by/with the garland), tulāya (by/with the scale), dolāya (by the cradle), pabhāya (by/with the light), sobhāya (by/with the beauty), paññāya (by/with wisdom), karuṇāya (by/with compassion), nāvāya (by/with the boat), kapālikāya (by/with the small bowl).

When forming “saddhāya” (by/with confidence), etc., the base is put down as “saddhā”, etc. The inflection ‘nā’ is employed; then the ‘ā’ of “saddhā”, etc., is named ‘gha’, and the application of the other suttas follows.

What is the purpose of saying ‘ā’? [There is no application of this sutta in] “rattiyā”, “itthiyā” [because in these cases the letter is ‘i’ or ‘ī’, not ‘ā’].

What is the purpose of saying “means feminine [gender]”? [In the example] “Satthārā desito ayaṃ dhammo” (this Dhamma taught by the Teacher) [there is no application of this sutta because the word is masculine].

What is the use of the name ‘gha’? [For the use of the name ‘gha’ in suttas such as] “Ghato nādīnaṃ” (§111). After ‘ga’, [there is substitution by ‘āya’] of those [singular inflections] beginning with ‘nā’, etc.