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A CULTURAL-STUDY.OF THE NISITHA CURNI
primary, institutions.1 Mention of these 72 Arts in our text: seems to be traditional, although, most of these arts like writing, arithmatic, dancing, music, instrumental music etc. were regularly practised by men and women in society. Literature
The existing literature as revealed from the NC. may be divided into two groups—(i) religious literature and (ii) secular literature. The former again may be classified under two sections : (i) Jaina literature and (ii) Brāhmaṇic literature which includes the ancient Vedic literature also.
Jaina Literature
It is a well-known fact that the first redaction of the Jaina canon had taken place in the Valabhĩ council held under the presidentship of Devardhi Gani Ksamāśramana in 513 or 526 A. D. (V. E. 980 or 993 ).: The Jaina canon during this time consisted of the twelve Angas, twelve Upangas, ten Prakirņakas, six Chedasūtras, Nandi and Anuyogadvara, and four Mülasutras. The author being a learned Jaina preceptor is well-versed in the canon from where he widely quotes. A detailed discussion on the various passages cited from these works is not possible, and it will suffice to say that among the Angas the Ayara, *. Suyagada, 5 Bhagavai,. Panhava
1. The teachers of Arts trained prince Meha, and taught him 72 Arts.
--Ardhamagadhi Reader. (tr. by Banarasi Das Jaina ), p. 101; Añta. gadadasão and Anuttarovaväiyadasão / tr. by Barnett, pp. 30-31 ). The Jätakas refer to 72 -Arts which were mastered by Lord Buddha.
-Dasgupta, op. cit., p. 4. 2. According to Dasgupta (op. cit., p. 5), "it was cus
princes to receive their education in the arts or secular schools where
the curriculum included 72 Arts." 3. LAI., p. 33. 4. NC. 9, p. 122. 5. NC. 1, p. 35; NC. 4, pp. 252, 264. 6. NC. 1, pp. 33, 79; NC. 2, p. 232.
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