A History of Indian Medical Literature v3.c43.37

v3.c43.37

Date An important clue to Candranandana’s chronological position is the Tibetan translation of the Padārthacandrikā, made by Rin-chen bzaṅ-po between A.D. 1013 and 1055.¹⁰¹ A more precise dating would be reached if Candranandana were identical with Candradeva, mentioned in the biography of the Elder G-yu thog-pa,¹⁰² the chief physician of the Tibetan king Khri-sroṅ lde-bćan, who lived in the eighth century. This G-yu thog-pa visited Candradeva on his way to India and received instruction from him. The same biography relates that G-yu thog-pa met Vairocana, who claimed to have received the Rgyud-bźi from Candradeva. 103 The identity of this Candradeva with Candranandana, considered as not impossible by R.E. Emmerick, 104 would place our author in the middle of the eighth century. The same date was suggested by G. Huth. 105 The quotations from Candranandana’s works are not helpful in establishing his date, since they are found in authors who are later than Rin-chen bzań-po.