Page:History of India Vol 9.djvu/170

province has its own official for preserving them in writing. The annals and state papers are collectively called ni-lo-pi-ch'a (Sanskrit nīlapita, "blue deposit"). In these records good and evil events are mentioned, together with calamities and fortunate occurrences.

To educate and encourage the young, they first teach them to study the book of "Twelve Chapters" (Sanskrit siddhavastu). After arriving at the age of seven years, the young are instructed in the great treatises of the "Five Sciences" (Sanskrit vidyā). The first is called Grammar, the elucidation of sounds (Sanskrit sabdavidyā). This treatise explains the meaning of words and their derivation.

The second science is called kiau-ming (Sanskrit silpasthānavidyā); it treats of the arts and of mechanics, and it explains the principles of the Yin and Yang (Negative and Positive Principles) and of the calendar. The third is called the "Medicinal Treatise" (Sanskrit chikitsavidyā); it illustrates the use of charms, medicinal stones, needles, and moxa. The fourth science is called "Logic" (Sanskrit hētuvidyā, "science of reasoning"), which determines the right and the wrong and discriminates between the true and the false. The fifth science is called the science of "Inward Knowledge" (Sanskrit ādhyātmavidhā); it relates to the Five Vehicles, and the doctrine of cause and effect (karma).

The Brahmans study the four Veda treatises. The first is called Shau ("longevity," i.e. the Ayur-Veda); it relates to the preservation of life and the regulation