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.