Ancient Indian Education (Brahmanical and Buddhist) c14.15

c14.15

Even after his marriage the prince was to continue his studies, for which a time-table is given. In the forenoon he is to receive training in the military arts connected with the four departments of the army, viz. the elephant, the horse, the chariot, and the infantry (which implies training in the art of handling various weapons of war). The afternoon he is to spend in listening to discourses on *Itihāsa*, which included, according to Kauṭilya, the following subjects, viz.· Purāṇa, Itivṛitta, Ākhyāyikā, Udāharaṇa, Dharmaśāstra, and Arthaśāstra. During the available intervals of day and night he is to acquire new and revise old knowledge. In the case of lessons not grasped, he must listen to repeated instruction. Besides these studies, companionship with men of ripe wisdom and culture is also prescribed for the prince as the root of mental and moral growth. In the case of a king, such companionship was afforded by his *Purohita* whom he is to obey as the pupil his preceptor, the son his father, or the servant his master. As regards the qualifications of the *Purohita*, it is stated that he must have the culture and character of a family well versed in traditional learning, fully educated in the Vedas, the six Vedāṅgas, the science of portents and omens, the art of administration, and able, by his knowledge and application of the Atharvan remedies, to ward off calamities due to divine and human agencies.