Talk:Swayambhu Purana

Latest comment: 10 years ago by Art LaPella in topic Translation problem

Translation problem edit

The biggest translation problem is at the very end: "the blessing one gets for telling, telling, listening, making others listen, writing or making others write it." I can't find the original Swayambhu Purana text on the Internet, which (if translated) might help me understand this phrase.

  • "telling, telling" can't be right. Perhaps "reading, telling ..." was intended. Then again, some ancient texts began as oral traditions before they were written down, so reading wouldn't be possible.
  • "making others listen" means forcing others to listen, against their will. Buddhism isn't normally spread by the sword, so I don't think the Purana really says that. Should it say "persuading others to listen"? "telling others to listen"? "getting others to listen"?
  • "writing or making others write it." Does that mean making copies by hand? Does it mean adding new text? Art LaPella (talk) 19:39, 2 April 2014 (UTC)Reply