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(minor glosses). But for the commentaries of Jayatirtha, Dvaita Vedanta might not have attained the status of a philosophical system. There are two accounts of his life, the· AtJujayatirthavijaya and Brhadjayatirtha-vijaya. Both of them are from the pen of Vyasaraya. There are no historical inscriptions or other documents relati4;lg to him. He was the son of a Mahara~tra Brahmin of an officer's rank, by name Raghunath Des'piiQQ.e, and his wife Rukmabai. They lived in a village named MangaJveQ.he about 12 miles south-east of Pandharpur. Jayatlrtha prior to his sarhnyasa was 'tailed DhoQQ.o Pant Raghunath. As a boy he was a sturdy athelete and was in the habit of riding. Early in life he was married to two wives. In his twentieth year on a summer noon, after an active hunting expedition he went to quench his thirst to the banks of the river Candrabhagii, and there bending down his head from on horse-back he drank water. On the other side of the river there was the famous sage Ak$obhyatirtha who was drawn towards the rider drinking water in a strange manner. After a short interview with the DeS'piiQde, Ak$obhya was able to give spiritual insight to him. He soon took orders under the name of J ayatirtha. Over twenty two works are attributed to him and most of them are printed. Among the commentaries, his Nyayasudha takes the first place. It is an immortal work exhibiting the several facets of Jayatirtha's genius and his ability as a dialectician. Though his works are designated by the unassuming name of " commentary ", in reality they are first rate classics. Judged.by the brilliance of his style,. and his logical acumen he ranks with the great makers of philosophical style, S'abara, S'ankara and Vacaspati. As a dialectichn he is ready for action, ready to deal blows on all sides ; sometimes • he carries the attack into thl enemy's camp and a~ other·
