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PROLEGOMENA TO PRAKRITICA et JAINICA
5) Chandaḥ (Metre) : This is a book on prosody. The
Chandah sāstras are mentioned by Hemacandra
(XIII. 46). 6) Jyotişa : This is a science of astronomy. This science
of astronomy is also mentioned by Hemacandra
(XVI. 94). The mentioning of the different branches of six Vedāngas shows that the Vedic studies including ritualist education were prevalent at the time of Hemacandra. In fact, Hemacandra has mentioned Agniştoma (XV.119) and Purodāśa (XVI. 74) in the Kumārapālacarita.
Apart from these above mentioned subjects, the Purāṇas were also studied (XV. 118). From Hemacandra's reference to the Purāṇas, it appears that at the time of Hemacandra, the Purāņas were very much popular in the mountainous area (XVI. 46) and it is also mentioned that the Purānas were sung at the Arbuda mountain (XVI. 46).
Similarly, from his reference to verse XVI. 1, we can come to the conclusion that all systems of philosophy were taught at the time of Hemacandra. Logic (XIII. 46) is also mentioned. The Cārvāka philosophy was called Laukāyita (XV. 120-21). The Mīmāṁsā philosophy was also taught (xv. 124).
This short survey describes in a nutshell the political and social systems of India at the time of Hemacandra8.
8. For this article I have freely used Dr. S.P. Narang's book, A
Study of the Dvyāśrayakāvya.
