Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v1.c21.65
Dictionary of Pāli Proper Names v1.c21.65
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v1.c21.65
The students in the university studied the three Vedas and the eighteen sciences (vijjā),⁷ which evidently included the science of archery,⁸ the art of swordmanship,⁹ and elephant-craft (hatthi-sutta).¹⁰ Mention is also made of the study of magic, such as the Ālambanamanta, for charming snakes,¹¹ and the Nidhiuddharaṇamanta, for recovering buried treasure.¹² The students were also taught the science of ritual (manta)¹³; but in this branch of learning Benares seems to have had a greater reputation, for we find students being sent there from Takkasilā in order to learn the mantas.¹⁴