________________ 258 : Prof. C.S.Upasak saints in the tirtha (life time) of Mahavira. This indicates the authenticity of the text and also proves that both were contemporary to the Buddha and Mahavira, as also evidenced from other sources. The teachings of the above-noted saints succinctly recorded in the Isibhasiyai and traceable in the early Pali Buddhist texts, are once more points in evidence as regards the venerable antiquity of the text. The author of the text is well aware of the great saints of ancient India and so he records their names and their teachings on the whole fairly/accurately. Thus, this text is one more valuable source for the evaluation of the religious ambience of the times that were contemporary, preceding, and immediately succeeding Buddha and Vardhamana Mahavira. Notes and References 1. Ed. Walther Schubring, L.D. Series 45, Ahmedabad 1974. 2. Cf. Rhys Davids, Pali-English Dictionary: p. 385;R.C. Childers, A Dictionary of Pali Language, p. 309'; Abhidhanarajendra, Vol. V, p. 1325; Tattvarthadhigama of Umasvati, Pt. II (Surat, 1980), p. 309 ; Sarvarthasiddhi Ch. X-9. Also cf. for Rsi in Amarakosa, 2.7.42. Cf. Mahavamsatika XII, p. 277 (Nal. Ed.) 3. Devaputras Khusanasa arogadaksinaye sarvabudhana puyae prcagabudhasa puyae' Epigraphia Indica I, XIV, p. 295, C.I.I., Vol. II, Pt. 1, No XXVI,p.77. 4. DPPN, Vol. II, p. 52ff. * Ex. Director Nava Nalanda Mahavihar, Nalanda (Bihar)
