The University of Nalanda c9.20

c9.20

(1) o.c., p. 420.
(2) Hira Nand Shastri has hazarded still another explanation. He says, "In view of the fact (that) the locality abounds with lotuses even now, it does not appear to be improbable that it was so named because it gave lotuses or naḷas or lotur flowers, as well as scholars by dhvani or implication of course, in later ages." But it is a conjecture as he himself admits it. Proceedings, Fifth Indian Oriental Conference, I, p. 387.
(3) According to Jain Works Nālandā was a suburb or bahirika of Rājagṛha in the time of Mahāvīra who as stated therein spent fourteen rainy seasons in all. It is interesting to note that another Jain Work Sametasikhara Tīrthamālā, of not very great antiquity, testifies to the above description of Nālandā, and further gives the name by which it was known at the time of its composition viz., Burgaon—and by which it is still called by the people of the locality. See Ibid., pp. 389 to 392. Bhagavati Sūtra, referred to by N. Dutt, Early History of the Spread of Buddhism and the Buddhist Schools, p. 125.
(4) Mahāparinibbāna Suttanta, o.c., pp. 87 and 89.