The University of Nalanda c16.12

c16.12

Aśoka's son and successor was a devout Jain,³ and Puṣyamitra, the exterminator of the Mauryas, turned out to be the first persecutor of Gotama's faith.¹ In Kaniṣka's hands the religion once again became a state religion. But he never completely identified himself with the foreign faith. He appears to have clung to his old faith.² The Imperial Guptas, though they showed much interest, sympathy and toleration towards Buddhism, never embraced it. They, on the contrary, felt proud to style themselves as *Parama Bhāgavatas,* devotees of Vāsudeva. After receiving a severe set back at the hands of Mihirakula, Buddhism seems to have attained its former glory in the reign of Harṣa. Nevertheless, Harṣa's patronage was analogous to that of Kaniṣka. The Buddhists never acquired its complete monopoly. Moreover, this patronage was enjoyed, whatever be its extent, for a short period only.