Avaṃ (adverb) [Vedic avāk and avāṃ] the preposition ava in adverb use, down, downward; in commentary often explained by adho. Rarely absolute, the only passage found so far being Snp 685 (avaṃ sari he went down, v.l. avasari, explained by otari Pj II 486). Opposite uddhaṃ (above, up high). Frequently in compound avaṃsira (adjective) head downward (+ uddhaṃpāda feet up), a position characteristic of beings in Niraya (Hell), e.g. S I 48; Snp 248 (patanti sattā Nirayaṃ avaṃsirā = adhogata-sīsā Pj II 290); Vv 52 25 (of Revatī, + uddhaṃpāda); Pv IV 1 46 ; Ja I 233 (+ uddhapāda); IV 103 (Nirayaṃ vajanti yathā adhammo patito avaṃsiro); Nidd I 404 (uddhaṃpāda + a.); Dhp-a IV 153 (gloss adhosira). — On avaṃ° cf. further avakkāra, avākaroti, avekkhipati.
(ind, ind) downwards