Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

Author(s): J C Sikdar
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology & Ahimsa Mujjaffarpur

Page 352

SIXTH CHAPTER
Education FIRST SECTION
Conception of Education as reflected in the BhS
Education is the light of human life, as it gives a clear vision of knowledge of the mundane world and Nature to man by dispelling the darkness of his ignorance, prejudices, false notions and ideas; and consequently it illuminates the entire society with its all prevading radiance.
It represents the ideals of a nation acting as its back bone and reveals the spirit of its culture and civilization by focussing its aim on the remotest and darkest corner of social life.
In a word, life is education which is manifested in its selfdevelopment and self-culture, as it is reflected in the famous teachings of ancient India.
“Yāvajjīvamadbīte viprah". I
Education touches upon all the phases of life of a man by sharpening his intellect and assisting him in controlling his senses, thoughts and actions, refines his cultural tastes and modifies his desires.
It instils a spirit of creative energy and faculties in him, developes his personality, quenches his thirst for spiritual urge, and paves the way of his emancipation from the worldly bondage, because wisdom, the fruit of its cultivation reigns supreme in all spheres of human life.
Thus proper education helps and guides an individual man from the first stage up to the last of his life in building up his higher character and developing his personality by removing all obstacles on his way to progress, and dissolving all contradictions
i Vide 'Education in Ancient India'-Dr. Altekar, p. 3.