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Time-Determination. It is clear that there were scholars even before that. What Dr. Bühler has written about you as a scholar of the fifth century AD is correct. A disciple of Pujyapada, 'Vajranandi', established the 'Dravida' Sangha in VS 526 (AD 470), which is mentioned in Devasena's 'Darsanasara' text*. This suggests that Pujyapada was present during the reign of 'Avinita', the father of the 'Durvinita' king, which began in AD 430 and lasted until 482. It also appears that when the Dravida Sangha was established by a disciple of Pujyapada, Pujyapada would have been around 40 years old at the time of its establishment, and he would have begun writing his texts around AD 450. In such a situation, there is no hesitation in saying that Samantabhadra lived before AD 450. However, how much earlier he lived is still a matter of consideration. There are great difficulties in giving a proper and true answer to this question. The lack of sufficient resources is very much felt here. And therefore, although there is no definitive answer to this topic,
1 Ind. Ant., XIV, 355. 2 This text was written in VS 990. *–Siripujypadasiso Davidsanghass karago ho.
Nameṇa vajanandi pahudavedi maha satto || 24 || Panchasaye chabbise vikkramarayass maranapattass.
Dakshinamaha rajado davidsanghho mahamoho || 28 || 3 A copper plate inscription of Avinita Raja, dated Saka Samvat 388 (AD 466), has been found, which is called the Markara Plate No. 1.