Book Title: Cultural Study of Nisitha Curni
Author(s): Madhu Sen
Publisher: Sohanlal Jain Dharm Pracharak Samiti Amrutsar

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Page 255
________________ EDUCATION, LEARNING AND LITERATURE 335 it was itself a cause of bondage. Among the Jaina scriptures, the Kālika Śruta ( Kāliya-suya ) was meant to be studied during the first and the last porisi (Skt. prahara—the eighth section of the day) of day and night', while the Ukkālika (Ukkaliya ) could be studied at anytime except the kalavela 2 ( the time when the studies were not to be pursued).' In the study of the Kālika Śruta also the first pori sã was reserved for learning the Sūtras and was known as sutta-porisē, while the meaning of the Sūtras was to be learnt during the attha-porisi.“ The scriptural study of the Jaina monks thus amounted to three hours during day and night, and the monks in normal circumstances had to conduct their studies at the prescribed hours. During the unusual circumstances, however, the studies of the Jaina monks were to be suspended, and those conducting the studies during the time of suspension (asajjhāyaasvadhyāya)5 were subjected to severe punishment. Curriculum and Existing Literature of the Jainas The curriculum mainly consisted of the Jaina scriptures although the subjects like grammar, mathematics, astrology, astronomy, logic, the science of omens (nimitta-śāstra ) etc. were invariably taught in the Jaina as well as the Brāhmaņic institutions of the time. The Jaina Acāryas, as noted before, were the masters of the scriptural texts of their own religion and also those of the others. Frequent observations are noticeable in which the householders accept to give shelter to the Jaina monks on condition that the subjects like astrology (joisa ), the science of omens ( nimitta ), prosody ( chamda ), 1. NC. 4, p. 228. 2. Jaafadi Hoare data do HI-NC. 1, p. 7. 3. Firmaet-foferte raraata:-Sabda-kalpa-druma, p. 110; Abhidhāna Rā jendra Koša, Vol. III, p. 493. 4. NC. 1, p. 6; also NC. 1, p. 37. 5. For rules regarding asvādhyāya sec--NC. 4, pp. 224-48: 6, NC. 1, p. 21. Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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