DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.9550#0178
A DEFENCE OF
confidence as a satisfactory interpretation of the orig
work, both by the vulgar and by men of literature.
It must not be supposed, however, that I am inch
ed to assert that there is not the least room to doubt
the accuracy of such a translation ; because the mean-
ing of authors, even in the original works, is very fre-
quently dubious, especially in a language like Sunskrit,
every sentence of which, almost, admits of being ex-
plained in different senses. But should the possibility
of errors in every translation be admitted as reason for
withholding all confidence in their contents, such a
rule would shake our belief, not only in the principles
explained in the translation of the Vedant into the
current language, but also in all information respecting
foreign history and theology obtained by means of
translations : in that case, we must either learn all the
languages that are spoken by the different nations in
the world, to acquire a knowledge of their histories and
religions, or be content to know nothing of any country
besides our own. The second reason which the learned
gentleman assigns for their objection to the translation
is, that " Reading the scripture in the vulgar languages
is prohibited by the Poorans." I have not yet met with
any text of any Poorans which prohibit the explanation
of the scripture in the vulgar tongue; on the contrary,
the Poorans allow that practice very frequently. I re-
peat one of these declarations from the Shiva Dhurma,
quoted by the great Bughnund. "He who can interpret,
"according to the ratio of the Understanding of his pupils,
" through Sunskrit, or through the vulgar languages, or by
" means of current language of the country, is entitled,
spiritual father." Morever, in every part of Hindoostan all
confidence as a satisfactory interpretation of the orig
work, both by the vulgar and by men of literature.
It must not be supposed, however, that I am inch
ed to assert that there is not the least room to doubt
the accuracy of such a translation ; because the mean-
ing of authors, even in the original works, is very fre-
quently dubious, especially in a language like Sunskrit,
every sentence of which, almost, admits of being ex-
plained in different senses. But should the possibility
of errors in every translation be admitted as reason for
withholding all confidence in their contents, such a
rule would shake our belief, not only in the principles
explained in the translation of the Vedant into the
current language, but also in all information respecting
foreign history and theology obtained by means of
translations : in that case, we must either learn all the
languages that are spoken by the different nations in
the world, to acquire a knowledge of their histories and
religions, or be content to know nothing of any country
besides our own. The second reason which the learned
gentleman assigns for their objection to the translation
is, that " Reading the scripture in the vulgar languages
is prohibited by the Poorans." I have not yet met with
any text of any Poorans which prohibit the explanation
of the scripture in the vulgar tongue; on the contrary,
the Poorans allow that practice very frequently. I re-
peat one of these declarations from the Shiva Dhurma,
quoted by the great Bughnund. "He who can interpret,
"according to the ratio of the Understanding of his pupils,
" through Sunskrit, or through the vulgar languages, or by
" means of current language of the country, is entitled,
spiritual father." Morever, in every part of Hindoostan all