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The Decline of Vikramshila
Taranath mentions that decline of Buddhism had begun soon after the death of Dharmapala, as the numbers of tirthikas and mlecchas gradually increased in the kingdom of Bhamgala, in Ayodhya etc, on the north of the Ganga and in all the regions on the east and west of the Yamuna – from Varanasi to Malava, Prayaga, Mathura, Kuru, Panchala, Agra, Sagari, Dilli, etc. Also, though tirthikas became numerous in Kamarupa, Tirahuti, Odivisa, etc.,in Magadha however, the Buddhists were greater in number than before, because of the increase of the samghas and yogis. The period was however, one of confusion with impending attacks of the Turuskas and growing influence of the followers of the yogi Gauraksha, who have been described as fools by Taranath for having become the followers of Isvara, being driven by the greed for money and honour offered by the tirthika kings, and not opposed even to the Turuskas. Taranath has mentioned about major social and cultural changes which gradually took place as the rule of the four Senas progressed, and the numbers of tirthikas and the Persian followers of the Mleccha view, also went on increasing even in Magadha.
As mentioned earlier, the threat of the Turuskas in Magadha had already arrived during the period of Canaka, when the efforts of the Bali acharya had salvaged the situation. Later, we come across more interesting accounts of Turuska raids being repelled with one being of the efforts ofKamalaraksita, who empowered by Yamari, had once thought of holding a gana-cakra in the crematorium.
This made the tirthikas and Turuskas terror-stricken. Also mentioned is the account of Lilavajra, who upon hearing the rumour of an impending Turuska invasion, defeated their soldiers by drawing the Yamari-cakra, by virtue of which on reaching Magadha, they were rendered dumb and inactive and remained so for a long time and thus turned away. Later, in the period of Neyapala, who ruled when Atisa departed for Tibet, the Turuskas were repelled by the efforts of Prajnarakshita, who is stated to have magically struck them with thunder. The successive accounts over the years only indicate that a constant strife with different Turuska hordes on the rampage was underway.
To be continued .....