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SANGAMASHRAM
POONA, 29th September, 1901.
SIR,
The later commentators on Amara Kosa explain Gautama as "pupil of Gotama" but Rayamukuta as "pupil of Kapila who was a descendant of Gotama" and Kshira as "born in the Gotra of Gotama." The last appears to be the correct Etymology and if so, Gotama must be the name of an old Rishi. Rayamukuta was probably guided by a tradition which made Buddha or Sakyasiniha a pupil of Kapila, and the explanation of later commentators who had no specific information on the point is conjectural. Vamanacharya makes Amara a Jaina as in common with most of the uncritical Pandits or Satris of the day he confounded the Jainas and Buddhists.
Yours truly,
R. G. BHANDARKAR.
SANSKRIT COLLEGE, CALCUTTA,
19th October 1901.
DEAR SIR,
In reply to your letter of the 25th ultimo I have to state as follows:
I.
In Amarakosh Buddha is represented as being the son of Suddhodana, relative of Arka (the sun). born of Maya Devi, and belonging to the clan of
