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INTRODUCTION
(a) Epigraphical references of Akalarka :
As stated already, Bhatta Akalanka was an epock-maker ; naturally, the inscriptions of later period are full of adorations and admirations for Akalarika's logical subtlety and philosophical sublimity. A note-worthy instance of his unrivalled popularity is witnessed by his mangalācarana? of Pramāṇasamgraha which has been taken as mangala śloka in a number of inscriptions. Some of the following inscriptions will help us to know something about Akalanka's life.
1. The Kannada inscription of Melukada Vanti at Kadavanni
refers to Mahideva Bhattāra as the disciple of Akalařka
Bhatta of Devagaņa. The inscription is of about C.1060 A.C3. 2. In a stone inscription dated śaka 996 (1074.A.D.) of Bandali
there is reference to Akalanka as a guru4. 3. The stone inscription of 1077 A.C. found near Balagambe
Vadagiyarahonda refers to 'tarkašāstradaviveka dolintakalankadevarembudu,' while praising Rāmasena. An inscription in Kannada-cum-Sanskrit language found in the quadrangle of Pañcabasti at Humach refers to Akalanka as 'Vādi simha Syādvādāmoghajihva’?, flourishing after Sumatideva. The said inscription is dated Saka 999 (1077
A.C.). 5. The Humach inscription dated 1077 A.C. refers to Akalanka
deva after Simhanandi8. 6. One more inscription from Humach refers Sadasi yadakalankah
while praising Vădirāja. It is dated 1077 A.Co. 7. The pillar inscription of Kattile Basti refers to Jinacandra
muni as 'Sakalasamayatarke ca Bhattākalankah'; it belongs to c. 1100 A.C10.
· Srimat parama-gambhirasyādvādāmoghalāñchhanam,
Jiyāt trailokyanāthasya śāsanam Jinaśāsanam.-PMS, p. 1. 2 Vide Hindi Intro. p. 7 Note 2. 3 EC. vol. VI, No. 75. • EC. vol. VII, Sikarpur, No. 221. 5 EC. vol. VII, Sikarpur No. 124; see also JSLS. vol. II, No. 217, p. 311. 6 ibid. vol. VIII, Nagar No. 35. 7 Vide Hindi Intro. p. 8, No. 2. 8 EC. vol. VIII, Nagar No. 36; JSLS. vol. II, 214. • EC. vol. VIII, Nagar No. 39. 10 JSLS. vol. I, p. 115, No. 55 (69).
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