# Wiki Compilation Methodology This document explains how thematic compilations are created for the Prabhupada Archive wiki, using a **reference-based approach** that never duplicates source content. --- ## Core Philosophy: Reference, Don't Copy Traditional compilations require copying and pasting text from source books. This creates several problems: 1. **Duplication** - The same text exists in multiple places 2. **Drift** - If the source is corrected, copies become outdated 3. **Attribution** - Easy to lose track of where quotes came from 4. **Bulk** - Compilation files become enormous Our approach is different: ``` ┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── │ TRADITIONAL COMPILATION │ │ Source Book ───┬──(copy)──▶ Compilation A │ ├──(copy)──▶ Compilation B │ └──(copy)──▶ Compilation C │ │ Problem: 4 copies of same text, all can drift apart └──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── ┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── │ OUR REFERENCE-BASED APPROACH │ │ ┌──(embed)── Compilation A │ Source Book ◀───────┼──(embed)── Compilation B │ (single source └──(embed)── Compilation C │ of truth) │ │ Benefit: 1 source, always current, lightweight files └──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── ``` --- ## How It Works ### The Embed System Obsidian's embed syntax (`![[path]]`) pulls content from source files at render time. We enhance this with **selective highlighting** - the ability to highlight specific passages within the embedded content. ### Basic Embed ```markdown ![[sb/1/2/13]] ``` This embeds the entire verse (text, synonyms, translation, purport). ### Targeting Sections ```markdown ![[sb/1/2/13#purport]] ← Only the purport ![[sb/1/2/13#translation]] ← Only the translation ![[bg/4/13]] ← Full verse with everything ``` --- ## Highlight Methods We support four methods for highlighting specific text within embeds: ### Method 1: Embed Title (Recommended) The text after the `|` becomes the highlight instruction: ```markdown ![[sb/6/4/33#purport|The vibration of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra is not a material sound]] ``` **Result:** The entire purport is embedded, with "The vibration of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra is not a material sound" highlighted in yellow. ### Method 2: Data-Attribute Span Place a span element after the embed: ```markdown ![[sb/1/2/13]] <span data-hi="And in each and every one of the abovementioned divisions...to please the supreme authority"></span> ``` **Advantage:** Allows very long highlight text without affecting the embed syntax. ### Method 3: Range Highlighting Use `...` to highlight from one phrase to another: ```markdown ![[sb/4/14/20#purport|The word dharma...without varṇāśrama-dharma]] ``` **Result:** Highlights everything from "The word dharma" through "without varṇāśrama-dharma", even if it spans multiple sentences. ### Method 4: Paragraph Numbers Highlight specific paragraphs by number: ```markdown ![[sb/1/2/13#purport|p1,3,6-7]] ``` **Result:** Highlights paragraphs 1, 3, 6, and 7 of the purport. --- ## Multiple Highlights Separate multiple highlight phrases with `;;` or `::`: ```markdown ![[bg/4/13#purport|cātur-varṇyam;;not by birth, but by quality]] ``` **Result:** Both "cātur-varṇyam" and "not by birth, but by quality" are highlighted. --- ## The Conversion Workflow ### Step 1: Devotee Creates Original Compilation A devotee (or group of devotees) curates quotes on a theme - gathering references from books, lectures, letters, and conversations. This might exist as: - A PDF document - A Word file - A physical book (like *Śikṣāmṛta* or *Nāmāmṛta*) - A website compilation ### Step 2: AI Converts to Embed Format The AI assistant: 1. **Reads** the source compilation 2. **Identifies** each quote's original source (book, chapter, verse) 3. **Locates** the exact passage in our archive files 4. **Creates** an embed reference with highlight instruction 5. **Preserves** the thematic organization ### Step 3: Human Oversight The human overseer: 1. **Reviews** the conversions for accuracy 2. **Verifies** highlights match the intended passages 3. **Adjusts** section organization if needed 4. **Approves** the final compilation ### The Process Diagram ``` ┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── │ CONVERSION WORKFLOW │ │ ┌─────────────┐ │ │ Original │ Devotee-curated compilation │ │ Compilation │ (PDF, book, document) │ └──────┬──────┘ │ │ │ ▼ │ ┌─────────────┐ ┌─────────────┐ │ │ AI Reads │──▶│ Identifies │ "SB 1.2.13" found │ │ Source │ │ Sources │ in /sb/1/2/13.md │ └─────────────┘ └──────┬──────┘ │ │ │ ▼ │ ┌─────────────┐ │ │Creates Embed│ ![[sb/1/2/13#purport| │ │ + Highlight │ highlighted text]] │ └──────┬──────┘ │ │ │ ▼ │ ┌─────────────┐ │ │ Human │ Verify, adjust, │ │ Reviews │ approve │ └──────┬──────┘ │ │ │ ▼ │ ┌─────────────┐ │ │ Final │ wiki/compile/ │ │ Compilation │ [topic]/[section].md │ └─────────────┘ │ └──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── ``` --- ## Example: Nāmāmṛta The original *Nāmāmṛta* was compiled by devotees into a printed book with thematic sections about the holy name. Our conversion: **Original (in printed book):** > "The vibration of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra is not a material sound, and similarly the form of the Lord and His appearance and activities are all nonmaterial." > —Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 6.4.33, Purport **Our Reference Format:** ```markdown ![[sb/6/4/33#purport|The vibration of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra is not a material sound, and similarly the form of the Lord and His appearance and activities are all nonmaterial]] —SB [[sb/6/4/33|6.4.33]] Purport ``` **Benefits:** 1. The quote is **never duplicated** - it lives only in `/sb/6/4/33.md` 2. If the source is ever corrected, the compilation **automatically updates** 3. The **full context** (entire purport) is accessible via the embed 4. The **specific passage** is highlighted for the reader 5. The **citation link** takes readers directly to the source --- ## Example: Śikṣāmṛta (Letters) *Śikṣāmṛta* compiles instructions from Śrīla Prabhupāda's letters. Our format: ```markdown ![[letters/1967/670724_brahmananda|"Please keep steady, follow all my instructions scrupulously, chant Hare Krsna and Krsna will give you all strength."]] —Brahmananda, 24 July, 1967 ``` The entire letter is embedded, with the key instruction highlighted. --- ## CSS Classes Compilation files use special CSS classes: ```yaml --- cssclasses: - scripture-minimal # Removes verse structure styling - text-quotes # Styles quotes appropriately --- ``` --- ## Folder Structure ``` wiki/compile/ ├── siksamrita.md # Index for Śikṣāmṛta compilation ├── siksamrita/ # Topic files │ ├── chanting-hare-krsna.md │ ├── book-distribution.md │ └── ... ├── namamrita.md # Index for Nāmāmṛta compilation ├── namamrita/ # Topic files │ ├── maha-mantra.md │ ├── the-ten-offenses.md │ └── ... └── embed/ # Embed-heavy compilations └── varnasrama-dharma/ └── 1-the-importance-of-varnasrama.md ``` --- ## Technical Implementation The `EmbedHighlighter` module in `publish.js`: 1. **Intercepts** rendered embeds after Obsidian processes them 2. **Extracts** the highlight instruction from embed title or data-span 3. **Searches** the embedded content for matching text (case-insensitive, italics-agnostic) 4. **Wraps** matches in `<mark>` tags with appropriate styling 5. **Handles** multiple highlights and range highlighting --- ## Why This Matters ### For Readers - See highlighted passages in context - Click through to full source - Trust that quotes are accurate ### For Maintainers - No duplication to keep in sync - Corrections propagate automatically - Compilations stay lightweight ### For the Archive - Single source of truth - Clear provenance for all quotes - Scalable to any number of compilations --- ## Semi-Automated Process The AI handles the tedious work: - Parsing original compilations - Matching quotes to source files - Generating embed syntax - Formatting citations The human provides: - Quality control - Thematic judgment - Final approval - Organizational decisions This collaboration allows us to convert large compilations (hundreds of quotes) efficiently while maintaining accuracy. --- *This methodology ensures that every quote in our wiki compilations remains connected to its source, verified, and current.*