一切經音義 23.88

23.88

室羅筏國（舊云舍衛國。具稱室羅筏悉底。此翻為好道或曰聞物。此乃城名非是國號。以其城中多出人物好行道德。五天共聞故曰聞物。或曰室羅筏悉底者。此云聞者城。西域俗聞傳記云。昔於此處有一老仙。修習仙道。後有少仙從其受學厥號聞者。老仙歿後少仙建立此城。即以少仙之名為其城稱。然國都號為憍薩羅。但以就勝易彰故城取國號耳也）。

Śrāvastī country (室羅筏國: Formerly called Shewei (舍衛). Fully termed Śrāvastī (室羅筏悉底). This translates as 'loving the Way' or 'famed things'. This is actually the name of the city, not the title of the country. Because the city produced many talented people who loved to practice virtue, and it was famous throughout the Five Indias, it was called 'Famed Things'. Alternatively, Śrāvastī translates here as 'City of the Hearer'. Western Regions popular records state that anciently there was an old rishi here who practiced the way of immortals. Later, a young rishi received instruction from him, and his name was 'Hearer'. After the old rishi died, the young rishi established this city and named it after himself. The capital of the country, however, was named Kośala; but because the prominent city was easier to recognise, the city took the name of the country).