________________
7
ARYARAKSHIT
A rich brahmin named Somadeo lived in Dashapur.
A He married Rudraosoma who was a good wife. They had two children. The elder was called Aryarakshit, while the younger was Aryafalgun. The elder son was very clever. So he was sent to Pataliputra (Patna) at the age of eight years in order to study in a Gurukul. In those days Pataliputra was a famous seat of learning.
Aryarakshit learnt all the four Vedas and the six Angas, and became highly expert in the fourteen lores in twelve,
years.
Then Aryarakshit left the Gurukul for his native place Dashapur. The king came to know of the arrival of the learned boy. So he made preparations to welcome him warmly.
Now, the parents of Aryarakshit also came to know of their son's home-coming. And they were much pleased with this happy news.
As soon as his father saw Aryarakshit coming on a horse-back, he rushed out to embrace him. But his mother was not to be seen among the crowd.
