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LECTURE X
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gradually it came to be a popular institution attended even by Brahmin scholars, for we have ample evidences in the Kathāsarıt sāgara to prove that the Brahmins excelled otheis in fine arts and military sciences. We learn from the Mahābhārata also that Dronācārya was thoroughly versed in the military sciences
The contribution of the Jaina fatheis to geography was immense as we noticed before Their knowledge of geography was sound judged by the standard of those days and they very well realized the influence of geographical factors on the origin of vocations-a fact which is very modern In our lecture on vocational education of the Jainas we tried to trace the influence of the geographical factors, viz location, mountains and reliefs, watel-inland bodies of water and oceanic water, soil, climate, minerals and transportation system on the origin of vocations We have discovered the influence of the geographical factors on various vocations to be inseparable Vocations differ in diverse regions because they are conditioned by the geographical factors Thus vocations in the plains are bound to be quite different from those of the hilly regions The vocations on the coastal cities are again different from those in the inland cities
Next we discussed the application of psychological principles to vocational selection In ancient times caste system was the criterion of vocational and educational selections The individual was made subservient to the static society Gradually and steadily as a result of agitation made by the Buddhists and Jainas the antiquated practice was supplanted by sound psychological basis of vocational and educational guidance Systematic vocational guidance in consultation with the parents, citizens and the city-supervisors of the morals of youths was made No vocation was forced upon the unwilling mind The parents made a careful survey of different vocations—their merits and demerits, their demand upon the native and the specific abilities and on the physiology of their sons The working conditions, future prospect, monitary advantages and other factors were carefully considered before selecting the vocations for their sons Native and specific abilities were especially considered to fit the right vocations for the right candidates Briefly speaking, to eliminate mal-adjustment or labourturn-over, vocations and their programmes of studies were carefully selected on a sure psychological basis after a careful study of the mau
