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## Translation:
**Commencement of the Commentary on the Collection of Gadaṣṭi Sūtras**
It is a customary practice to mention auspiciousness, purpose, subject, and relationship at the beginning of a commentary. Following this tradition, these learned Ācāryas have presented this first sūtra.
This sūtra has the following objectives:
1. To uphold the tradition of the learned community.
2. To pacify obstacles.
3. To encourage the activity of the discerning.
4. To reveal the three aspects of purpose, subject, and relationship.
(See the commentary below)
In this sūtra, the learned Ācārya, with a desire to honor the victorious ones who are worthy of being known and who have attained liberation, has offered a salutation to the supreme deity (auspiciousness). And then, by considering the different perspectives of the Gadaṣṭi, the Ācārya has briefly mentioned the three aspects of purpose, subject, and relationship. This is the overall meaning of this collection of sūtras.
Here is the specific meaning:
**Translation of the Commentary by Śrīharibhadra Ācārya:**
The objectives of this collection of sūtras are as follows:
1. **To uphold the tradition of the learned community:** The learned community always engages in auspicious activities and reverently salutes the supreme deity. This Ācārya is also a learned person, and therefore, this sūtra is presented to uphold the tradition of the learned community. It is said, "Learned people always engage in auspicious activities and reverently salute the supreme deity."
2. **To pacify obstacles:** Auspicious actions are often fraught with obstacles. It is said, "Even great people face many obstacles in auspicious actions, while those engaged in inauspicious actions may find their obstacles easily overcome." This chapter is intended to guide towards right knowledge and is therefore auspicious and beneficial. Therefore, this sūtra is presented to pacify obstacles.
3. **To encourage the activity of the discerning:** This sūtra is intended to encourage the activity of those who are discerning and who contemplate and act accordingly.
4. **To reveal the three aspects of purpose, subject, and relationship:** It is said, "How can one understand any scripture or any action without knowing its purpose?" It is impossible to state the purpose of something that does not exist, and it is impossible to state the purpose of something that has no subject.