प्राचीन भारत में शिक्षा (डॉ. ए.एस. अल्तेकर - गुरुकुल एवं बौद्ध विहार शिक्षण इतिहास)

V] EDUCATIONAL CENTRES AND INSTITUTIONS 127 Strength of the University : When there was such a distinguished galaxy of scholars at Vikramaśīlā, it is but natural that the numerical strength of the establishment should have enormously increased by the number of scholars attracted to the establishment. In the 12th century there were 3,000 monk scholars residing at the place.¹ The college possessed a rich and extensive library, which excited admiration even of its Muslim destroyers. General Administration : The administrative management of the Vikramaśīlā establishment was entrusted by the Pāla rulers to a board of six monks presided over by the chief abbot. Different members of the board were assigned different administrative duties like the ordination of the novices, supply and supervision of servants, distribution of food and fuel, assignment of monastic work, etc. Monk professors led a simple life, the cost of maintaining one of them being equal to the cost of supporting four ordinary monks.² Academic administration : Academic adminis- tration was vested in a council of six dvārapaṇḍitas presided over by the chief abbot. The function of the Dvārapaṇḍita was to test the scholarship of those seeking admission to the college. During the reign of king Kanaka (?), the following were the Dvāra- paṇḍitas of the establishment :— Eastern Gate : Āchārya Ratnākara-śānti Western „ : Vāgīśvara-kīrti of Benares Northern „ : Naropa Southern „ : Prajnākara-mati First Central Gate : Ratna-vajra of Kashmir

1. Ibid, p. 84.
2. Ibid, p. 85.