Life of Nagarjuna

Summary

‘Life of Nagarjuna’ presents an English summary of a Tibetan biography of the illustrious Buddhist philosopher Nagarjuna, as found in the work Pag‑Sam‑Jon‑Zang. Born to a Brahmana family near Vidarbha, India, Nagarjuna displayed extraordinary abilities from childhood. Astrologers predicted that he would die within days, but his parents obtained a protective charm from Yakshas that prolonged his lifefile:///home/oai/share/563030_compressed-5-107.pdf. As a youth, he mastered Sanskrit and the Vedas and developed an interest in alchemy and magic. He studied at Nalanda, where he met learned monks and became proficient in the esoteric arts. Through his alchemical skills he is said to have transformed base metals into gold and used the proceeds to relieve famine. He later renounced worldly pursuits, became a monk and journeyed across India spreading the Mahayana doctrine. The biography portrays him performing miracles: he conjured food during a drought, turned his walking stick into a serpent, and flew through the air. He reputedly acquired an elixir enabling him to live for centuries. Nagarjuna taught the philosophy of Shunyata (emptiness) and wrote treatises such as the Mulamadhyamakakarika. He debated with other philosophers, converted kings and attracted disciples. In one episode, he beheaded himself at the request of a devotee to fulfil a vow and, because he had lengthened his life artificially, remained alive until he instructed a serpent to cut off his headfile:///home/oai/share/563030_compressed-5-107.pdf. Before his death he prophesied that he would become a future Buddha named Samantabhadra. The article compares this hagiography with historical sources, noting that while the supernatural elements are legendary, they reflect the reverence in which Nagarjuna was held. The story highlights his role as a teacher, miracle worker and social benefactor, blending spiritual and magical motifs. The author emphasises that such biographies serve to inspire faith rather than provide strict historical detail. They integrate Indian myths with Tibetan literary traditions and contribute to the popular understanding of Buddhist saintsfile:///home/oai/share/563030_compressed-5-107.pdffile:///home/oai/share/563030_compressed-5-107.pdf.