India as Known to Panini: A Study of the Cultural Material in the Ashtadhyayi c10.s1.2

c10.s1.2

*STUDENTSHIP*—The educational system was based upon what is known as the ancient system of *Brahmacharya* (*Tadasya brahmacharyam*, V.1.94) which laid more emphasis on life (*charyā*) than mere learning or instruction. It was based upon a constant personal touch between teacher and pupil bound together by a spiritual tie (*vidyā-sambandha*; IV.3.77) living in a common home (*śālā*). The pupil was thus truly the *antevāsī* (IV.3.130) of his *āchārya*. A student was generally called *Brahmachārī* (*Charaṇe Brahmachāriṇi*, VI.3.86). The religious student belonging to the upper three classes of society was known by the special term *varṇī* (V.2.134), a new title unknown in the Saṁhitā and Brāhmaṇa literature. As a pupil, he was called *chhātra* (IV.4.62, *Chhatrādibhyo ṇaḥ*), because his duty (*chhatraṁ śīlamasya*) was to be always at his teacher's service (*guru-kāryeshv-avahitaḥ*) and protect him from harm like an umbrella (*tach-chidrāvaraṇa-pravṛittaḥ*, *Kāśikā*).