Transcribe and translate

[rahula80]

Hi,

I would appreciate if anyone could transcribe and translate the file attached. Also, I would like to know if it's Pali or Sanskrit.
Or can you suggest who would be able to do it?

Thanks a lot,
Rahula

[Ytrog]

I wonder if google goggles would recognize it. It might give you answers about the alphabet and language used.

[lojong1]

My guess...it's gobbledigook, a comparison of letters from different scripts or time periods.

[rahula80]

Hi,

Perhaps some history and background.

It is probably a Brahmi script. They are from rock inscriptions, dated 5th century, found in Penang, Malaysia.

JW laidlay, in 1848, Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, did provide a translation, but without a transcription. It is said to be Pali, at least, Fig 1-7. But this is suspicious because Pali rock inscriptions is said to be very rare, almost non-existent.

Regards,
Rahula

[lojong1]

What language is the translation in?

[rahula80]

The translation is in English.

[Dmytro]

Hi Rahula,

It looks like a variation of Brahmi. A lot of letters are recognizable:

http://www.omniglot.com/writing/brahmi.htm

Metta, Dmytro

[Dmytro]

I wonder if this relates to the Singapore Stone:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singapore_Stone

[Dmytro]

Here's the article about these inscriptions:

http://www.southeastasianarchaeology.co ... -a-church/

And here's the translation:

http://books.google.com.ua/books?id=a5r ... swbfwJDSCA

Scientific article about the inscriptions (see pp.52-53):

https://scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu/b ... -35-57.pdf

Comparative table of Brahmi versions:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Brahmi.png
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahmi

[Dmytro]

Pallava script:

http://skyknowledge.com/pallava.htm
http://www.omniglot.com/writing/pallava.htm

[rahula80]

Hi,

The translation provided J.W. Laidlay, according to Jacq-Hergoualc'h is given below:

a. I acknowledge the enemies of the contented king Ramaunibha and the wicked are ever afflicted.

b. This is said by Manikatha, the protector of all great Buddhas.

c. In every form of life, knowledge becomes manifest everywhere and in every way.

d. Karma, which sports with passion, is the cause of transmigration.

[Source:
The Malay Peninsula: Crossroads of the Maritime Silk Road (2001) by Michel Jacq-Hergoualc’h, Translated by Victoria Hobson; Brill Academic Publishers, p.214]

The attached file is taken from here:
Laidlay JW (1848)
Note on the Inscriptions from Singapur and Province Wellesley forwarded by Hon. Col. Butterworth, CB and Col J. Low, JASB, XVII, 2:66-72

According to Laidlay, the translation was done by Babu Rajendra Lal Mittra.

I am still not sure if the language is Pali or Sanskrit.

Best wishes,
Rahula

[Dmytro]

Hi Rahula,

The script is Pallava.

Ian James http://skyknowledge.com should be able to help.

Best wishes,
Dmytro