The University of Nalanda c11.50

c11.50

Moreover, we cannot say that the Nālandā-throne was lying vacant when Dharmapāla arrived at Nālandā and it must have taken some years before he could aspire to and acquire it. In fact Taranath tells us that Dharmapāla became the ‘Pandita’ in Nālandā after the excellent Candrakīrti.² His tenure of office, according to Taranath, was very short. For he says, “ After Dharmapāla had been Pandita in Nālandā a short while, Jayadeva became Pandita after him.”³ It must be noted however that Taranath’s version goes against the generally accepted view, viz., that Śīlabhadra succeeded Dharmapāla.⁴