Atthakatha / Jatakatthavannana
Literal Meaning
Commentary
Etymology & Sanskrit Root
Pali, literally 'explanation of meaning'; the body of ancient commentarial literature on the Buddhist canon.
Spiritual Insight & Context
Much of the narrative detail in the Jataka tales as they are known today comes not from the terse canonical verses themselves but from the Atthakatha, the commentary that surrounds and explains them.