[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [Vedic Index of Names and Subjects](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912) › v2.c4.s2.251 # Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v2.c4.s2.251 Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v2.c4.s2.251 - **Language:** English ### [v2.c4.s2.251](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v2.c4.s2.251) The Atharvaveda³ has in honour of the Brahmacārin a hymn which already gives all the characteristic features of religious studentship. The youth is initiated (\*upa-nī\*) by the teacher⁴ into a new life; he wears an antelope skin, and lets his hair grow long;⁵ he collects fuel,⁶ and begs,⁷ learns, and practises penance. All these characteristics appear in the later literature. The student lives in the house of his teacher (\*ācārya-kula-vāsin\*;⁸ \*ante-vāsin\*)⁹; he begs,¹⁰ looks after the sacrificial fires,¹¹ and tends the house.¹² His term of studentship might be long extended: it was normally fixed at twelve years,¹³ but much longer periods, such as thirty-two years, are mentioned.¹⁴ The age at which studentship began varied:¹⁵ Śvetaketu commenced at twelve and studied for twelve years.¹⁶ - [Previous: v2.c4.s2.250](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v2.c4.s2.250) - [Next: v2.c4.s2.252](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v2.c4.s2.252) - [Up: v2.c4.s2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v2.c4.s2) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v2.c4.s2.251](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v2.c4.s2.251) · Pramāṇa