244. Comparative.

Of two persons or things, possessing the same quality, the comparative is to point out that which is endowed with the higher degree of it: {P. 5, 3, 57.} sādhutaras tayoḥ (the better of these two), vico madhunaḥ svādīyaḥ (words, sweeter than honey). Even if the person or thing compared with, be implied, not expressed, the comparative may be used. We then translate it by „tolerably, rather.”(*1) Daç. 159 tato ‘lpīyasā kālena rājñaḥ priyamahiṣī (not very long hereafter —), Prabodh. II, p. 30 mayā svagṛhiṇī priyasy api projihitā (I have abandoned my wife, though I loved her very much), Panc. 35 tac chrutvā piṅgalakaḥ sādarataraṃ tam uvāca (after hearing this , P. addressed him in a rather respectful manner). — Occasionally the comparative may even express »too.” Mhbh. I (Paushyaparva) Upamanyu, when asked by his master why he looks fat though every opportunity of getting food has been intercepted to him, answers he has drunk the foam, given back by the calves after having drunk the milk of their mothers. But even that livelihood displeases his spiritual teacher, for ete tvad anukampayā guṇavanto vatsāḥ prabhūtataraṃ phenam udgiranti / tad eṣām api vatsānāṃ vṛtty uparodhaṃ karoṣi (these virtuous calves give back too much foam, for pity on you, for this reason you prevent also their being fed).

(*1)
Cp. Vâmana’s Stilregeln by Cappeller, ch. Çubdaçuddhi, s. 62.

244. 比較級

同じ性質を持つ2つの人やモノについて、比較級（comparative）は、そ〔の性質〕をより高い程度（higher degree）備えた方を指示する{P. 5, 3, 57.}：
sādhutaras tayoḥ (the better of these two)
vico madhunaḥ svādīyaḥ (words, sweeter than honey)

比較される人やモノで、暗示され、表現されないものであっても、比較級は用いられうる。そのときには「かなり」や「より」の語で翻訳する（*1）。
Daç. 159 tato ‘lpīyasā kālena rājñaḥ priyamahiṣī (not very long hereafter —)
Prabodh. II, p. 30 mayā svagṛhiṇī priyasy api projihitā (I have abandoned my wife, though I loved her very much)
Panc. 35 tac chrutvā piṅgalakaḥ sādarataraṃ tam uvāca (after hearing this , P. addressed him in a rather respectful manner)

時に、比較級は「…過ぎる」を表現しうる。
Mhbh. I (Paushyaparva) Upamanyu, when asked by his master why he looks fat though every opportunity of getting food has been intercepted to him, answers he has drunk the foam, given back by the calves after having drunk the milk of their mothers. But even that livelihood displeases his spiritual teacher, for ete tvad anukampayā guṇavanto vatsāḥ prabhūtataraṃ phenam udgiranti / tad eṣām api vatsānāṃ vṛtty uparodhaṃ karoṣi (these virtuous calves give back too much foam, for pity on you, for this reason you prevent also their being fed)

（*1）
Cp. Cappeller 1880, ch. Śubdaśuddhi, s. 62.