Vada in Theory and Practice: Studies in Debates, Dialogues and Discussions in Indian Intellectual Discourses c6.s5.t10.10

c6.s5.t10.10

Gautama, the author of *Nyāyasūtras*, is said to have criticized Nāgārjuna in some places, but these portions appear to be interpolations.¹¹³ Vātsyāyana, the author of *Nyāyabhāṣya*, certainly gives a refutation to Nāgārjuna’s *Mādhyamikakārikā* in his discussion on *Nyāyasūtra* V.1.39-40 (without naming him) for his (Nāgārjuna’s) acceptance of only three categories (*pratijñā*, *hetu* and *dṛṣṭānta*) out of the group of five as propounded by Gautama. The Buddhist institutions and Buddhism were confronted with forceful challenges of a reinvigorated Brāhmanism.