Vada in Theory and Practice: Studies in Debates, Dialogues and Discussions in Indian Intellectual Discourses c6.s5.t17.5

c6.s5.t17.5

There is a whole section devoted to *Udayanamāhātmya* (glory of Udayana) in *Bhaviṣya Purāṇa Pariśiṣṭa* (chap. XXX) describing Udayana's debate with some Bauddhācārya. The king of Mithila announced that if the *paṇḍits* of his court are defeated by the Bauddhācārya then he will accept ordination under him, and if the *paṇḍits* defeat him, then he will remain a slave to them. Udayana alone accepted the challenge. The debate between him and the Buddhist scholar continued for several days. Then the Bauddhācārya created some magic (*māyā*). Ultimately, both agreed that they will give a taste by falling from a tall palmyra tree, and whosoever remains alive will be the winner. Udayana escaped after falling from the heights of the tree and his enemy died. But then he had to incur the sin of causing the death of a religious figure and when he visited Jagannātha Temple at Purī, the doors of the temple closed at his face. Undaunted, Udayana recited a stanza addressed to Lord Jagannātha, which said: