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A CULTURAL STUDY OF THE NISITHA CURNI
.: Some of the Gurukulas were renowned for their high standard of learning (visittha-gurukula) and the students trained at such centres were thought to have been the infallible masters in performing the sacrificial rites. 1 Bana also informs us that “besides mastery in the Vedas, the student had to display earnestness in learning the art of sacrifice."2
The Vedic studies during this time must have comprised the fourteen vijjas, as a learned Brāhmaṇa is mentioned to have mastered the fourteen vijjas. The fourteen vidyas have been frequently referred to in the contemporary literature. The Uttaradhyayana Cūrni enumerates them as the four Vedas, six Vedangas, Mimamsa, Nyaya, Purana and Dharmaśāstra.5 The Brāhmaṇic law-givers also describe the same fourteen vidyas.6 Apart from this scriptural lore, the other subjects would also have been taught to the students in the Brāhmanic institutions, The NC., however, does not enlighten us regarding the nature of their studies. Lehasālā ( Lekhaśālā )
Apart from the Jaina and Brāhmaṇic institutions, the existence of the Lehasālās ( lekhaśalas)' is also revealed from the text which must have imparted primary education to the children. The Lehasālās were usually situated in the vicinity of the houses or village from where the students could come home to take their meals during the recess (bhoyaņakala).
1. अवितहं पुण किरियं करेंतो णज्जति जहा-"विसिट्टे गुरुकुले वासिओ वा सिक्खिओ
1-NC. 3, p. 412. 2. Harjacarita, p. 11. 3. Col I HETI TEAKTREMYRTINC. 3, p. 92. 4. Raghuvansa, v. 21. 5. Uttarādhyayana Cūrņi 3, p. 596. 6. See-Upadhyay, B. S., India in Kālidāsa, p. 274. 7. Elfa DHM NO. 1, p. 15. This type of institution has been mentioned as Arts schools or Writing-schools by Dasgupta.-Op.
cit., p. 13. 8. Hueros prato NC. 1, p. 15.
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