The University of Nalanda c9.162

c9.162

Nevertheless, evidence of a patronage of another character is supplied by the second inscription, the *Ghosrawa Inscription*. From it we learn¹ that Dēvapāladēva received and patronised a very learned Brāhmaṇ, named Vīradēva, who had come to Nālandā after visiting many centres of learning such as Kaniṣka *vihāra* and Yaśovarmmapura. While this very Vīradēva, we are further told,² was afterwards elected the head of the *saṅgha* by the assembly of monks. It is probable that King Dēvapāla might be connected with the administration of the University, which besides the profound learning of Vīradēva must be the cause of his being elected as the head of the *saṅgha*.