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

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Page 271
________________ EDUCATION, LEARNING AND LITERATURE 251 these texts were widely read by the Jainas though with a view to question the validity of the theories prescribed therein. Philosophical Systems Among the various systems of Indian philosophy, mention has been made of the followers of Kapila, 2 Kanāda or Ulūka? and Akkhapada ( Akşapāda ),s showing thereby the existence of the Samkhya, Vaiseșika and Nyaya systems of Indian philosophy. I-Tsing also refers to the doctrines of the Sankhyas and Vaiseșikas.* Nyāya or Tarka was the most popular subject mastered by all the sects of the time. The Hetuśāstra of Akşapada was studied even by the Jaina monks. The author gives proper explanations of the various technical terms of logic like the vada, jalpa and vitaña;& this shows his deep knowledge of the subject. It seems that the different sects had their own individual texts for teaching the science of logic. Among the Jainas Govindanijjutti written by the famous dialectician Govinda was one such text.7 Mastery in logic was indeed practically essential for participating in the religious debates. Bāņa informs us that the students of the time had to participate in an old logic society8 where they evidently discussed the problems pertaining to the science of logic (Tarkaśāstra ). Secular Literature Besides this vast literature on religion (dharma ), there existed the texts dealing with attha ( artha ) and kama which were widely read by the cultured section of society. The 1. NC. 1, p. 15; NC. 3, p. 195. 2. NC. 1, p. 15. 3. NC. 4, p. 88. 4. Takakusu, op. cit., p. 2. 5. AY B UTTE-NC. 4, p. 88; Brh. V . 5, p. 1441. 6. NC. 2, p. 355. 7. NC. 3, pp. 212, 260; NC. 4, p. 96. 8. Harsacarita, p. 71. 9. Saletore, op. cit., p. 98. Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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