Aryadeva
By Vidhushekhara Bhattacharya
Summary
Aryadeva, a scholar from Simhaladeipa (Ceylon), is noted in Candrakirtti’s commentary as being born in the 25th/70th year of Simhala. He later traveled to Southern India, a detail debated by scholars like Dr. N. Dutt, who questioned the geographical accuracy, suggesting Northern India as a possible origin due to the lack of evidence for Jambudvipa and the directional ambiguity between Ceylon and Southern India. However, Candrakirtti, a Northerner, described Aryadeva’s movement as "gamana" (going) rather than "agaman" (coming), emphasizing the forward direction from Ceylon. Dr. Dutt’s claim linking Sthabihu’s territory to Simhala and Ceylon’s name origin is disputed, as the Mahavamsa does not mention Sihala, and Sthabihu’s city, Sihapura, is distinct from Sthala. The key point remains Candrakirtti’s specific reference to Simhaladeipa, not just Simhala, negating doubts about Aryadeva’s birthplace. Separately, the text addresses Sankaracarya’s chronology, affirming he postdates Dharmakirtti (c. 1000 CE) based on his use of Dharmakirtti’s karika in his Brahmasutra commentary, contradicting earlier assumptions.
Conclusion
This analysis clarifies Aryadeva's origins, challenging Dr. Dutt's hypothesis by demonstrating that Candrakirtti's reference to "Simhaladeipa" (Ceylon) as Aryadeva's birthplace negates the need to speculate about Northern Indian origins. The distinction between "Simhaladeipa" and "Simhala/Sthala" resolves geographical ambiguities, affirming Ceylon's historical context. Additionally, the document underscores the chronological primacy of Dharmakirtti over Sankaracarya, reinforcing the accuracy of traditional timelines. These findings solidify the historical and textual integrity of Aryadeva's attribution to Ceylon, while highlighting the importance of precise terminological and historical analysis in resolving scholarly debates.