Ancient Indian Education (Brahmanical and Buddhist) c10.30

c10.30

The contents of the Yajurveda show how it gave impetus to the development of new subjects of study, both religious and secular. The need of correct pronunciation of hymns by the Hotṛi priest laid the beginnings of subjects like Śikshā (phonetics) and Chhandas (metrics) treated as Vedāṅgas (parts of Vedic study) and of the elaborate Prātiśākhya literature. And some of the functions with which the Adhvaryu priest was charged in regard to the material performance of sacrifices led to the development of several secular sciences and practical arts. Measuring the ground for sacrifice; building the altar and platform according to area and volume previously determined; ascertaining of proper seasons and moments for the actual performance of the sacrifice: these laid the foundation of geometrical logistics and of *Jyotisha* or astronomy. Some of the Assistants of Adhvaryu again had to cultivate a knowledge of the parts of the bodily frame of the animals to be immolated at sacrifices, and this led to the study of Anatomy (especially Osteology) and to physiological and medical speculations for which the Atharvaveda is chiefly noted.