Jaina System of Education

Author(s): Debendra Chandra Das Gupta
Publisher: Bharti Mahavidyalaya

Page 70

66
JAINA SYSTEM OF EDUCATION A few gistcd scholars alonc could master the encyclopaedic courses in the art school which according to Jaina fathers are seventy two' and according to the Brilimins sixty four 15 Tbesc courses comprising
Rs languages fine Arts music painting pictography dancing, physi al CACICISCS Sucli is games military exercises sciences such as astrology astronomy and other courses xcrc pursucd by female-students gradually as they dei clopol physically mentally and emotionally as they grew 20 jcars Hence the courses in the Art or Vernacular Schools were properly adjusted to the needs of the growing female scholars The Jaina fathers also included the Vedas and the Vedangas in the curricula of the Art School lhe following paragraphıs from the kathakosa will substantiate the aboic statement. In the country Vidrabha there was a city namer! hundinapura In it was a king by name Blumaratha. He had a wife Pushpauinti. As thcy acre living together in loving union they had a daughter born to them thc chid was called Devadant. She grens Micry day like a digit of the moon in the white fortnight. In duc course she was sent to a teacher of accomplishments to acquire know ledge and she gradually became clerer in all learning 1 Education was by no mcans a monopoly of the Brahmins ksatriya and Vaisya females too enjoined the blessings of lugher learning and culture We have evidence of higher education on the part of a girl belonging to the Vaisya class who by a single scribal alteration converted a man doomed - to death by her father into her husband There is a romantic and poetic flavour about the whole story which is given below In the meantime the daughter of that merchant, Visha by name came there to worsbip the God of love She saty Damanaha with his broad eyes and broad chest and while she was looking at hun her eye fell on her father s letter she took it from the end of his stack and read it It rail as follows Health and prosperity Sagarapota from the cattle farm loviogly embraces Samudragupta and tells him what is to be done
Before he has time to wash his fect you must immediately bestor on this man Viga (poison) and so make my heart free from the thorn of pain
114. Anuogadara, p 80 u1b Prabandhakoga, vol. I p 27 11 Lalıtavistara, ir by Dr Rajendra Lal Milra pp 186-188 19 The Kathakosa tr by C H Tarncy, Mact p 195