Studies in Ancient Hindu Polity (Based on the Arthashastra of Kautilya), Vol. I c3.9

c3.9

*bhāshya*, by the name of Pakshilaswāmi. Thus he says: “अथ भगवता अक्षपादेन निःश्रेयसहेतुशास्त्रे प्रणीतेऽप्युत्पादिते च भगवता पक्षिलस्वामिना किमपरमवशिष्यते यदर्थं वार्त्तिककारः ॥” The *Vārttika* is, of course, the well-known Commentary on the *Nyāyabhāshya* by Udyotakara, who wrote it in order to overcome the sophistical arguments and mystifying logic of the Buddhists [“कृतार्किकध्वान्त-विरासहेतोः । करिष्यति तस्य मया निबन्धः ॥”] headed by Diṅnāga as explained by Bāchaspati Miśra [“कृतार्किकादिदम्नाग-प्रभृतयः :”]. This statement, by the way, places the age of the *Nyāyabhāshya* also before that of Buddhist propaganda dating from Asoka.