[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Science, technology and education](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science) › [Ancient Indian Education: An Inquiry into its Origin, Development, and Ideals](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.keay-1918) › c8.45 # Ancient Indian Education: An Inquiry into its Origin, Development, and Ideals c8.45 Ancient Indian Education: An Inquiry into its Origin, Development, and Ideals c8.45 - **Language:** English ### [c8.45](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.keay-1918.c8.45) ‘At that time there was in Rājagaha a company of seventeen boys, friends of each other; young Upāli was first among them. Now Upāli’s father and mother thought: “How will Upāli after our death live a life of ease and without pain? If Upāli could learn writing (\*lekhā\*), he would after our death live a life of ease and without pain.” But then Upāli’s father and mother thought again: “If Upāli learns writing his fingers will become sore. But if Upāli could learn arithmetic (\*gaṇanā\*), he would after our death live a life of ease and without pain.” But then Upāli’s father and mother thought again: “If Upāli learns arithmetic, his breast will become diseased. But if Upāli could learn money-changing (\*rūpa\*), he would after our death live a life of ease and comfort and without pain.” But then Upāli’s father and mother said to themselves: “If Upāli learns money-changing, his eyes will suffer.” The result was that it was decided that Upāli should - [Previous: c8.44](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.keay-1918.c8.44) - [Next: c8.46](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.keay-1918.c8.46) - [Up: c8](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.keay-1918.c8) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.keay-1918.c8.45](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.keay-1918.c8.45) · Pramāṇa