[INDOLOGY] Help with Ramayana

[Howard Resnick]

Thank you, Camillo. You and I agree.

I inserted “primordial,” since this traditional, faith-based Hindu scholar argues that writing "has always been there.”  I’m sure and I have the same view on this matter, but I was trying to be gentle with him on text-critical issues, dating etc, so that he didn’t flame up on me.

Anyway, your help is much appreciated.

Best wishes,
Howard

> On Apr 10, 2017, at 12:37 PM, Camillo Formigatti via INDOLOGY <indology at list.indology.info> wrote:
> 
> Dear Howard,
> 
> I don't see immediately how this reference in the Ramayana could be understood as 'primordial writing.' What should primordial mean? If the passage refers to the name of Rama represented by some sort of script on a ring, still to what extent could it be a reliable source about the introduction of the technology of writing in South Asia? How would it help us in this matter?
> 
> I'm curious to know more about the line of argument of the Hindu scholar you are corresponding with.
> 
> Best wishes,
> 
> Camillo Formigatti
> 
> 
> Dr Camillo A. Formigatti
> John Clay Sanskrit Librarian
> 
> Bodleian Libraries  
> The Weston Library 
> Broad Street 
> Oxford 
> OX1 3BG
> 
> Email: camillo.formigatti at bodleian.ox.ac.uk
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> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: INDOLOGY [mailto:indology-bounces at list.indology.info] On Behalf Of indology-request at list.indology.info
> Sent: 08 April 2017 17:00
> To: indology at list.indology.info
> Subject: INDOLOGY Digest, Vol 51, Issue 8
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