The Takṣaśilā centre of learning

From time immemorial Takṣaśilā had been an important Centre of learning in ancient India. Takṣaśilā had originated in the Brahmanic era and existed till the Buddhist era. It had functioned as a link between the two systems of education. It was situated about twenty miles away of Rawalpīndi. It was the metropolis of Gandhāra province^[1]. The Rāmāyaṇa^[2] mentioned that it was founded by King Bharata who named it after his son ‘Takṣa’. It was situated where the king Janamejaya performed his Serpent sacrifice. Though the Rāmāyaṇa and the Mahābhārata mentioned Takṣaśilā as a Centre of learning, but unfortunately we know very little about its educational activities from the Rāmāyaṇa and the Mahābhārata. It is from the Jātaka we learn more about the Takṣaśilā as a Centre of learning.

The fame of the Takṣaśilā was unrivalled, because several learned teachers resided at this place. It was because of their excellence that they could attract hundreds of students from different parts of the countries. But it is unfortunate that we are completely in the dark about the names of the renowned teachers. Even the Jātaka which have supplied to us most of the information regarding this university are completely silent on this point. But Jātaka mentions some renowned students, who had their education in Takṣasilā. Pāṇini the greatest grammarian of Sanskrit and Cāṇakya the minister of Candragupta Maurya were the students of this university^[3]. Jīvaka the world renowned physician was educated in medicine and surgery at Takṣaśilā^[4].

Takṣaśilā was famous for its world renowned teachers. So, the teachers enjoyed complete independent in their work. The teacher was an institution in himself. His authority was final in directing the course of studies, in selecting or rejecting the students. There were no formal examinations. The student who had completed his studies did not receive any written certificate. It totally depended on the teachers’ shoulder that if he was satisfied with the performance of the student then the student studies terminated.

Takṣaśilā was famous educational Centre. But Takṣaśilā experienced many political ups and downs. Several times it had been captured and destroyed by invaders. It was more than once destroyed. During the political disturbance their educational systems have continued to change.

Takṣaśilā faced many political problems but its fame did not go downwards. We find references in the Jātaka^[5] that Takṣaśilā attracted different scholars from distant parts of the country. Students from Benaras, Rājagṛha, Mithilā, Ujjayini, Kosāla, Śivi and Kuru, flocked to Takṣaśilā for higher learning. At the age of sixteen students would go to Takṣaśilā to complete their education^[6]. Takṣaśilā was mainly the Centre of secondary and higher education. After the admission in Takṣaśilā, the students resided in teachers’ house. Sometimes, the rich students like Junha from Benaras, used to engage special house for his residence^[7]. The licensed hostels were also available in Takṣaśilā. The students used to stay in these hostels.

A system of tuition fee was prevalent in Takṣaśilā. A fixed of sum thousand pieces of money had been specified for the fee^[8]. But there were another classes of students who could not pay their tuition fee, had to undergo the menial services for the teacher’s house. For these students the special classes were held for them at night^[9].

All ranks and classes of students were admitted in Takṣaśilā. But the Candālas, however, were not admitted as students of Takṣaśilā. Cittasambhuti Jātaka^[10] mentioned two Candāla boys who disguised as Brāhmaṇas came to Takṣaśilā to study law but betrayed themselves by their coarse language and manner. For this reason, the Candālas were not able to take admission in Takṣaśilā.

Takṣaśilā offered wide variety of courses for studies. The three Vedas, and eighteen Sippas^[11] were the principal subjects of studies. Milindapañha^[12] enumerates the following subjects viz., Śruti, Smṛti, Saṃkhya, Yoga, Nīti, Vaiśesika, Arithmatic, Music, Medicine, Purāṇa, Itihāsa,Astronomy. Magic, Hetu Vidyā, Polity were also included in Takṣaśilās curriculum. Among these subjects many other subjects like Medicine, Surgery, Archery, Military Science, Astronomy, Astrology,, Magic, Snake Charming, the Art of finding treasures, Law, Music, Dancing and Painting were also included in the curriculum.

For several centuries this university served as the beacon–light to the country in educational sphere. But when Fa-Hien visited Takṣaśilā in fifth century A.D, there was no sign of University there and when Hiuen Tsang, visited it in seventh century he was very much disappointed to see the last relics of this important university.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Gandhāraraṭṭha Takkasilānagare |Pañcāvudha Jātaka.55;Telapatta Jātaka.96; Pañcāvudha Jātaka.55.

[2]:

Takṣam takṣaśilāyāṃ ……………………..|Rāmāyaṇa Uttara.101. 11.

[3]:

Das.S.K, The Educational System of the Ancient Hindus,Gyan Publishing House, New Delhi.1996.P.308.

[4]:

Upasaṃkamitvā taṃ vejjaṃ etad avoca:icchām ahaṃ ācariyo Sippaṃ sikkhitunti|Mahāvagga.VIII.I.6..

[5]:

Kuto āgata si tāta-tica vutto, Bārāṇasito ti| Tila-Muṭṭhi Jātaka.252;
Kosalarañño pano putto chatto nama kumāra atti,…………………Takkasilaṃ gantvā||Brahācatta Jātaka.336; Suruci Jātaka.489.

[6]:

Viññutam patva soḷasavassapadese|Pañcāvuddha Jataka 55.

[7]:

andhakāre ācariyagharā nikkhamitvā attano nivasaṇṭṭhānaṃ vagena gacchanto || Juṇha Jātaka.456.

[8]:

Sahassaṃ | Pañcāvudha Jātaka.55.

[9]:

Mahāsutasama Jātaka.537.

[10]:

jātim paṭicchadetvā brahmaṇamāṇavavaṇṇana Takkasilaṃ gantvā sippaṃ ugganhissām || Citta-Sambhūta Jātaka.498.

[11]:

Tayoveda sabbasippāni |Thusa Jātaka.338; Takkasilāyaṃ Sippaṃ Uggaṇhitva tinnaṃ Vedānām pāraṃ gantvā aṭṭhārasannaṃ vijjaṭṭhānam | Dummedha Jātaka.50.

[12]:

Milindhipañha.IV.3.26.