udāna

  1. “breathing out”, exulting cry, i e. an utterance, mostly in metrical form, inspired by a particularly intense emotion, whether it be joyful or sorrowful (cp. K. S. p. 29 n. 2) DN.i.50 DN.i.92; SN.i.20, SN.i.27, SN.i.82, SN.i.160; AN.i.67; Ja.i.76; Pp.43, Pp.62 Ne.174; Pv-a.67; Sdhp.514
    ■ The utterance of such an inspired thought is usually introduced with the standing phrase “imaṃ udānaṃ udānesi” i.e. breathed forth this solemn utterance [Cp. BSk. udānaṃ udānayati Divy.99 etc.], e.g. at Vin.i.2 sq., Vin.i.12, Vin.i.230, Vin.i.353; DN.i.47; DN.ii.107 (udāna of triumph); SN.iii.55; Mhvs.xix.29; DN-a.i.140; Ud.1 passim; Snp-a.354 (“the familiar quotation about the sakyas”). Occasionally (later) we find other phrases, as e.g. udānaṃ pavatti Ja.i.61; abhāsi Vin.iv.54; kathesi Ja.vi.38.
  2. one of the angas or categories of the Buddhist Scriptures: see under nava & aṅga
    ■ Cp. vodāna.

fr. ud + an to breathe