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Introduction
CCXIC
sinful things as gambling and drinking liquors, gave up taking the wealth of a person who died without a son and decorated the earth with the temples of Arhat and thus became Samprati of the present age." (vs. 16-18).
Hemachandra's relationship with other influential persons like the great Udayana and his equally great son Bāhaḍa as also with Abhaḍa and others was also very intimate. His attitude towards the learned men of other sects was, generally, liberal. He, as we saw, greatly appreciated the learning of Devabodha of the Bhagavata sect and was instrumentsal in bringing about friendship between him and Ṣrīpāla. His relationship with Amiga, however, must not have been cordial. In those days of debates and controversies, he must have given and received many blows in the battles of wits. But the discipline of tapas that he received early in life must have made this man of intellect sufficiently patient to bear them calmly, and not allow them to come in the way of his spiritual development. We shall come to this aspect of his character when we discuss his works especially the Yogaṣastra
Hemachandra, according to the Prac. Cha., died in the year V. S. 1229-A. D. 1173 at the ripe old age of 84 years a short time before Kumarapala died.*
* Hemachandra had a group of disciples who were very learned and who helped him in his works. Of these, Ramachandra deserves special mention. He is reputed to be the author of a hundred praband has that is compositions. Some of his plays are published; they are good as literature and show considerable skill in the technique of play-writing. His Natyadarpaṇa-a work on 37
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