King Narasimha of Gaunda and the study of the Mahabhasya in Bengal
By Jogendra Chandra Ghosh
Summary
This note discusses a king named Narasimha of Gauḍa (Bengal) who patronised the study of Pāṇini’s Mahābhāṣya. Drawing on epigraphic and literary evidence, the author argues that Narasimha provided endowments to scholars studying Sanskrit grammar and established institutions for their education. The note highlights that during his reign, the Mahābhāṣya regained prominence in Bengal after a period of decline. It also mentions that Narasimha’s patronage contributed to the transmission of grammatical texts to Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia. The author emphasises the role of royal support in sustaining intellectual traditions and suggests that further research may uncover more details about Narasimha’s reign.
Conclusion
The revival of Mahābhāṣya studies under King Narasimha of Gauḍa underscores the importance of patronage in preserving scholarly traditions. His support enabled grammarians to flourish and facilitated the spread of Sanskrit learning beyond Bengal. The note points to the need for continued exploration of regional histories of scholarship.