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As the impending threat from the Turuskas increased in the ever changing circumstances, the king tried his level best to save the situation and even converted Odantapuri and Vikramshila partially into fortresses and stationed some soldiers there. While the other centres for the doctrine in the regions gradually became practically extinct, the number of monks both in Vikramshila and Odantapuri remained same as during the time of Abhayakara. After Rathikasena’s death, the few years of Labamsena’s reign were peaceful. However, soon thereafter the Turuska king called the Moon (i.e. Chandra[xix])arrived in the region of Antaravedi in-between the Ganga and the Yamuna, and was assisted by some monks, who acted as his messengers. As a result, the petty Turuska rulers of Bhamgala and other places united, ran over the whole of Magadha and massacred many ordained monks in Odantapuri. They destroyed both Odantapuri and Vikramshila. The Persians at last built a fort on the ruins of Odantavihara. Local measures were found insufficient in the wake of widespread confusion and national disunity with the concurrent situation best described by Dharmasvamin, who visited soon after.
To be continued....