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EDUCATION, LEARNING AND LITERATURE
249 of the Vedic knowledge was made to the Brāhmins. In the contemporary inscriptions of the Maitraka rulers the Brāhmins are mentioned to have been the students of the different Vedas like the Samaveda and the Atharvaveda, 1 King Siladitya VII is also mentioned as añana-trayi, i.e. one who possesses the knowledge of three Vedas. Of the U pavedas, the Dhanurveda ( science of archery )and the Ayurveda (science of medicine ) were prominent.
Vedāngas-Among the Vedangas vāgarana ( grammar ) and joisa ( astrology and astronomy) were the most popular. The science of grammar (vagar ana, saddas ) must have been mastered by all the sects alike. Although it has been mentioned as pavasutta? by our Jaina author, yet the various references in the text reveal a thorough mastery of the Jaina monks over the science of grammar. Differences of opinion regarding the various sūtras or grammatical rules have been cited in the text.Bāņa,. Yuan Chwanglo and ITsingit all put a great stress on the science of grammar without which learning was of no account. A contemporary inscription from Valabhi also speaks of king Dhruvasena II as one versed in the grammar of Panini'. 12
Chwang clearly states that the Brāhmanas learn 4 Veda treatiscs, yet his account of the Vedas and the topics they deal with is quite erroneous and confused. I-Tsing remarks : "Scriptures they rever are the four
Vedas."Takakusu, op. cit., p. 182. 1. EI. XI, p. 112; IA. VII, p. 68. 2. “Alina Copper plate Inscription of Silāditya VII," CII. III, pp.
171. ff. 3. Hazug prie to PATEIKTO-NC. 3, p. 203. 4, NC. 2, p. 272. 5. NO. 4, p. 36. 6. E f i NC. 4, p. 88; NC. I, p. 12. 7. sour arrêts fa qapi aircufa—NC. 4, p. 36. 8. NC. 1, p. 43. 9. Hars acarita, p. 71. 10. Watters, op. cit., 1, pp. 154-55; Bcal, op. cit., 1, pp. 78-79. 11. Takakusu, op. cit., p. 178. 12. CII. III, pp. 171 ff.
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