Karu¼¤: (f.) [cp. Vedic karu¼¤ nt. (holy) action; Sk. karu¼¤...] pity, compassion. Karu¼a is one of the 4 qualities of character significant of a human being who has attained enfranchisement of heart (ceto-vimutti) in the 4 sentiments, viz. mett¤ k.- upekh¤, mudit¤ Freq. found in this formula with -sahagatena cetas¤. The first two qualities are complementary...the desire of removing bane and sorrow (from one's fellowmen), whilst mett¤ is expl. as "hita-sukh-¬panayak¤mat¤," the desire of bringing (to one's fellow-men) that which is welfare and good....K- -sahagatena cetasa denotes the exalted state of compassion for all beings (all that is encompassed in the sphere of one's good influence:...(catuddisa "extending over the 4, i. e. all, directions): D I.251; III.78, 50, 224; S IV.296, 322, 351; V.115; A I.183, 196; II.129, 184; III.225; V.300, 345; J II.129...Frequently referred to as an ideal of contemplation (in conn. w. bhavana & jhana)... karu¼¤¸ durato katva, without mercy, of the Yamaduta, messengers of Death...; maha- great compassion...; --samapatti a "gest," feat of great compassion: in which Buddha is represented when rising and surveying the world to look for beings to be worthy of his mercy and help D II.237..- 3. As adj. only in cpds. (e. g. -vaca merciful speech; neg. akaru¼¤ merciless ..; ati- very merciful J IV.142) and as adv. karu¼¤¸ pitifully, piteously, mournfully, in k- paridevati J VI.498, 513, 551..
-¢dhimutta intent upon compassion D II.241, 242;
-¢nuvattin following the dictates of mercy...
-gu¸aja originating in the quality of compassion...
-jh¤na meditation on pity, ecstasy of c. D II.237-39;
-ÂÂh¤niya worthy of c....
-bala the power of c....
-brahmavih¤ra divine state of pity...
-bh¤van¤ consideration or cultivation of pity Vism 314 sq.
-rasa the sweetness of c....
-vih¤ra (a heart) in the state of c. Vism 324
-s¤gara an ocean of mercy...
-s¨tala "cool with c." +hadaya, whose heart is tempered with mercy...