The History of Bengal (Vol. I: Hindu Period; Vol. II: Muslim Period 1200–1757) v1.c19.s10.15

v1.c19.s10.15

¹ For the account of Śāntirakshita and Padmasambhava that follows, cf. L. A. Waddell, *Buddhism of Tibet or Lamaism*, 20, 24, 25; IP. 49; *JASB*. LI. Part 1, 7-8; *Pag Sam Jon Zang*, Part II, 170 ff. (see table of contents, pp. x ff.); A. H. Francke, *Antiquities of Indian Tibet*, II. 87-88. Śāntirakshita, also known as Śāntarakshita, whose Tibetan name was Zi-ba-htsho, became the high priest of Nālandā monastery in the first half of the eighth century A.D. S. C. Das points out from the Tibetan authority that Śāntirakshita was a native of Gauḍa. The *Pag Sam Jon Zang*, a work compiled in 1747 A.D., states (p. 112) that Śāntirakshita was born in the royal family of Zahor during the reign of Gopāla, and died when Dharmapāla was ruling. The identification of Zahor has been discussed above (p. 331, f.n. 8). Dr. B. Bhattacharya remarks that Zahor is a regular phonetic equivalent of Sābhār, a well-to-do village in the Dacca district, Bengal. It is legitimate to infer, from all available evidences that Śāntirakshita was a native