Jain Journal 2004 10

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 19

68
JAIN JOURNAL : VOL-XXXIX. NO. 2 OCT.. 2004
Subjects of Study:
From the study of the Kumārupālacarita, we can frame our ideas about the subjects of study. The four Vedas and the Brāhmanas and Upanişads were studied seriously. Then the sudargas were equally studied. The Purāņas, Grammar and Philosophy got prominence in the Vidyāmathas. From the mention of some Classical Sanskrit literature it is assumed that Classical Sanskrit was also studied. The arthaśāstra, Poetics and Medicine were also in their curriculum.
The Rgveda was studied with various päthas. There are eight Vedic pāthas which are--
jatā-mālā-sikhā-leklā dhvajo dando ratho ghanah/ astāu vikrtayah proktāḥ kruma-purvāh manīşibhiḥ //
"Jaļā, Mālā, Sikhā, Lekbā, Dhvaja, Danda, Ratha and Ghana are eight kinds of Vikytipāthas each headed by krama".
Ofthese eight types of pāțhas, the padapatha and kramapātha were generally taught (XV. 124). Two recensions of the Rgveda - Sākala (XVI. 85) and Rgayana (XVI. 75) -- were taught. Among the Yajurvedas, the Katha (XVI. 88) recension was also read. Other recensions of the Vedas are also mentioned.
Among the Brāhmaṇas, the Satapatha and the Şasthipatha are mentioned (XV. 122). As the Brāhmaņa literature is mainly meant for the sacrifice, it is believed that the practice of sacrifice was also in vogue.
The study of the Upanişad as a jñānaguhya vidyā (XI. 23) was very much prevalent.
As the dictum svādhyāyo'dhyetavyaḥ "The Vedas are to be studied along with the Vedāngas”, the study of şadangas, was also current at that time. Hemacandra mentions the name sadariga in several places of his Kāvya (XV. 120-21, I. 108; XVI. 75). The six Vedāngas are
(i) Sikṣā, (ii) Kalpa, (iii) Vyākarana, (iv) Nirukta, (v) Chandaḥ, and (vi) Jyotişa.
i) Sikşā :- The sikṣās including the Prätiśākhyas are science of phonetics. It deals with letters (vowels and consonants), accents (acute, grave and circumflex), moras (short, long and prolated), efforts (vatnas) and euphonic combination. But Hemacandra did not categorically mention the name siksā as a separate subject of study. It is included in the word șadariga.
2) Kalpa :- The Kalpasūtras are the ritualistic texts. It is a collection of the texts of the Samhitās which are to be applied to a