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Lord Mahavira and His Times
however, they were built near the centres of population in order to have facilities for attracting recruits.
350
SUBJECTS OF STUDY
In the Bhagavatisūtra,1 eighteen subjects-six Vedas, six Vedāngas and six Upangas have been mentioned for study. In the Uttaradhyayana Tikā,2 we find the following fourteen subjects of study-4 Vedas, 6 Vedangas, Mimāṁsā, Nyāya, Purāṇa, and Dharmmasattha. Seventy two Kalas are frequently mentioned in Jaina texts. The list contains the Sippas and also the list of traditional knowledge and sciences. These Kalas may be classified under thirteen heads-1. Reading and writing; 2. Poetry; 3. Sculpture; 4. Music; 5. Clay-modelling; 6. Gambling; sports and indoor games; 7. Personal hygiene, toilet and food; 8. knowledge of various marks and signs; 9. The science of omens; 10 Astronomy; 11. Alchemy; 12. Architecture and 13. Art of fighting.3
The three Vedas, Grammar, Philosophy, Law and eighteen Sippas were the principal subjects selected for specialisation at Taxila. Among the latter were included Medicine, Surgery, Archery and allied military arts, Astronomy, Astrology, Divination, Accountancy, Commerce, Agriculture, Conveyancing, Magic, Snake charming, the art of finding treasurers, Music, Dancing and Painting. Jivaka had gone to this place for studying medicine and surgery and two youths from Banaras went there for studying Archery and Elephant Lore. Two Chaṇḍāla boys from Ujjayini in the disguise of young Brahmaņas visited Taxila for the study of law. There were no caste restrictions on the choice of subject; Kshatriyas used to study the Vedas along with Brahmanas and the latter used to specialise in archery along with the Kshatriyas. A Brāhmaṇa royal priest of Banaras had once sent his son to Taxila not to learn the Vedas but to specialise in Archery.5 Similar subjects were also taught at Banaras and other educational centres.
1. Bhag, 5, 3. 3. 185.
2. Uttara, Ti. 3, p, 56.
3. JLAIDJO, pp. 172-173.
4. Ja, No. 498.
5. Ibid. 522.
