27. Prajñātara

Prajñātara, the Twenty-seventh Patriarch, traveled from Eastern to Southern India. He famously tested the three sons of King Excelling in Fragrance by showing them a priceless jewel. While the older sons praised the physical gem, the youngest son, Bodhitara (the future Bodhidharma), correctly identified the Heart-treasure and Wisdom-lustre as the only true treasures. Recognizing this profound insight, Prajñātara named Bodhitara his heir. Upon his death, Prajñātara ascended into the air and transformed into fire, raining down sacred relics.