Sarvadarshanasangraha 12.18

12.18

This very topic is now set forth following the doctrine of the Guru (Prabhākara). In the text, "One should initiate an eight-year-old Brahmin; one should teach him," teaching appears as the object of the injunction. And an injunction requires an eligible agent. If it is asked: who is the eligible agent here? [The answer is:] only one who desires the status of a teacher. For, according to Pāṇini's rule "saṃmānana…" and so on, when the status of a teacher is understood, the Ātmanepada ending is prescribed for the verbal root nī. The eligible agent in initiation is the very one in teaching as well, since they have a single purpose. For this very reason, it has been stated by the sage Manu: