History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v4.c63.t2.935

v4.c63.t2.935

The ancient practice was to make no agreement as to fees for teaching. Vide Bṛ. Up. IV. 1. 2. Gaut. (II. 54-55) prescribes¹⁸⁶⁵ that at the end of his studies the student should request the teacher to accept the wealth that he could offer or ask the teacher what should be given and after paying or doing what was required by the *guru* or if the teacher permitted him to go without demanding anything the student should take the ceremonial bath. Vide Manu II. 245-246 and H. of Dh. vol. II. pp. 360-361 for details. Yāj. I. 51 provides that at the end of his studies the student may give to the teacher what he desires (or a cow) according to his ability or may with his permission take the ceremonial bath (without paying anything). On account of these provisions we have stories in the ancient literature that very rarely teachers or their wives made fanciful demands. This Kalivarjya text only sets aside the requirement of paying what the guru demands, but does not prohibit the voluntary gift of a fee by the student.¹⁸⁶⁶