Pre-Buddhist India: A Political, Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey of Ancient India Based Mainly on the Jataka Stories c4.t2.63

c4.t2.63

It is through such practical advice that the prince in the *Thusa-Jātaka*³ succeeds later on, when he ascends to the throne, in averting a great calamity coming from his own son who was planning a plot against him. A teacher at Takkasilā presents a set of five weapons to a prince when he leaves the University and starts for home, with the help of which he defeats a very powerful enemy on the way.⁴ There is an exceptional case where a king places his sons each under the charge of a separate courtier (*amacca*) with directions to teach them each what they ought to learn (*sikkhitabbayuttakam*). The *Samvara Jātaka*,⁵ where this occurs, shows how great the influence of the teacher was in moulding the character of the prince. The courtier who takes charge of the youngest prince imparts to him 'something more than a mere academic education—something that is the product of deep political knowledge which guides the prince successfully through his grave responsibilities'.