Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

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

Page 362

Sec. 17
STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SUTRA
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This reference to teachers and scholars endowed with special qualifications reveals that their creative faculties justified itself in producing the vast literary works and even in inventing the two war-engines - Mahāśilākantaka and Rathamusala and in contributing to the development of other sciences and arts which will be dealt with later on.
Art of writing
The art of writing is the vehicle of human thoughts and languages which are conveyed by its meaningful signs, words and lines from man to man in his day-to-day life.
This important part of education and learning was well known to the society of the Bhs, as it is evidenced by the significant invocation to “Brāhmilipi' and 'Sruta'.
"Namo Bunbhže livie" (Salutation to Brāhmīlipi).' "Namo Suyassa" (Salutation to the Sruta) and the reference to Kalagrahaņa' (learning of alphabet), Kalācāriya' (teacher of arts)*, *Potthaya' (book)", and the study of several texts.
The term 'Livi' (Skt. lipi))? used here denotes writing in general and stood for the same meaning in the Maurya period and earlier, as it is evidenced by the fact of the references to
Dhammalipi', 'Lipikara'' in the Asokan Edicts, 'Lipi' in the Arthaśāstral' and 'Yavanali pi' in Pānini's work. 11
In the Behistün Inscription'there is found the mention of Dipi' instead of Lipi' for engraved writing.
Thus it is clear that the Bambhz-lipi' referred to in the Bhs stood for name of the script which is distinct from language.18
i Bh8, 1, 1, 2 ? 16, 1, 1, 3. • Ib, 11, 11, 429. See Commentary. $ 16, 2, 1, 90.
Ib, 1, 1, 2. 9 Rock Edict, I. XIV. 11 Panini, VI, 3, 115. 12 Behistūn luscription of Darius III. 18 Bhs, 1, 1, 2.See Commentary.
3 10, 11, 11, 429. (comm. • 16, 9, 33, 385. 8 Rock Edict, I. XIV. 10 Arthaśāstra, 1, 5, 1.
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