In this paper an analysis is attempted of the triple suffering (duhkha-duhkhata, samskara-duhkhata, viparinama-duhkhata) as it appears in the Mahavyutpatti and in earlier sources. Comparing it to some non-buddhistic triads (e.g. in the Yoga-sutra) and similar concepts in the Pali Canon and its commentaries, a connection is suggested to the trilaksana (duhkha, anitya, anatman) and to the frequent series old age - disease - death. It appears that the original understanding of samskara-duhkhata was probably not the suffering related to subliminal impressions but rather the suffering inherent in anything of a composite nature.