were finally extirpated by the Brahmans about the ninth or tenth century of our era, just before the dawn of modern Indian literature. Brahmanism then resumed its sway, and gradually crushed out the hostile sect, though they still lingered on in some parts of India for a long time. Sârang Dev, son of Bisal Dev, King of Ajmer, in the ninth century,[1] embraced Buddhism, but was argued back into the orthodox faith by the contemptuous remonstrances of his father, who urged that this नष्ट ग्यान, nashṭa gyân, or, as we should say, "exploded theory," was not a becoming religion for a Rajput prince.[2] At this time the
- ↑ He ascended the throne Samvat 821.
- ↑ The passage occurs in the first book of Chand, and the story is probably historical, though, as usual with Chand, mixed up with much that is extravagantly legendary. Sarang Dev's foster-brother, a bania, had been killed by a tiger while travelling through a forest, and the prince was so grieved that he turned Buddhist. The words are—
अति दुचित भयौ सारंग देव।
नित प्रति करै अरिहतं सेव।
बुध ध्रम लियौ बांधे न तेग।
सुनि स्रवन राज मन भौ उदेग।
बुल्लाइ कुवंर सनमान कीन।
किहि काज तुमं इह ध्रम्म सीन।
तुम छंडि सरम हम कहौ बत।
बानिक्व पुत्र हन तें दुचित।
इह नष्ट ग्यान सुनिये न कान।
पुरषातन भज्जै कित्ती हान।
तुम राज वसं राजनह संग।
मृगया सर खेलो बन दुरंग।
परमोध तजो बोधक पुराण।
रामायन सुनहु भारथ निदान॥"Very grieved was Sârang Dev, constantly he worships the Arhaut, he embraced
