ii
These conclusions may be summarised thus[१]: I that Bhatta Nārāyana was originally a native of Kanauj, but, under some circumstances or other, emigrated to Bengal and became domiciled there along with other Brāhmans, enjoying the patronage of the reigning sovereign; that he thus came to be the founder of one of the Bengal Gauda Brahman families of the present day, whether the Tagore family or some other cannot be determined with certainty; [२]that the double title prefixed to his name, namely, Bhatta (a Brahmanic title denoting great learning) and Mŗigarāja (meaning a lion and corresponding to Sinha and thus forming a non-Brahmanic title connoting valour), creates a puzzle as to the poet's real caste; that the king whose protege Bhatta Nàràyana was, ruled at some period before the accession of the Pala dynasty but how long before is uncertain; that as the establishment of the Pàla dynasty is known to have taken place early in the eighth century (cir. 730-4 oA.D.).[३] The royal patron of Bhatta Nārāyaņa and for the matter of that, Bhatta Nārāyaņa himself belong to some period not later than the first quarter of the eighth century and probably to the seventh century; that he belonged to some sect of orthodox Bràhmanism-- it may be even the Bhagavata or the Pàncharàtra sect [४] perhaps-- and lent his co-operation to the King in reviving the Brahmanic system in Bengal in opposition to Buddhism.
As remarked above there is no positive evidence to contradict any, of these conclusions and they may be accepted tentatively. I may howeve, take occasion to point out here that Mṛigaràja as a Sanskrit word denotes 'the moon, also besides denoting 'a lion' and would, thus, be equivalent to 'Chandra, though I must confess that I am not able to carry my speculation any further as to the significance of the title
- ↑ V. A. Smith's Early History of India P.366 and 'The Brahmanas and Kayasthas of Bengal' by Babu Girindranatha Dutt chapters 1 & 2.
- ↑ L.R.Vaidya's Introduction to N.B.Godbole's edition of Venisamhāra pp'12-I9.
- ↑ V.A.Smith's Early History of India pp. 366-367.
- ↑ L. R.Vaidya's Intro. to Godbole's edition of Venisamhàra pp.32,33,34,35.
