Education in Ancient India c11.s1.12

c11.s1.12

Two Classes of Girl Students :-There were no child marriages in the Vedic period ; as a rule however girls could not remain unmarried as long as boys as they had to be younger than their spouses. Majority of them used to get married at the age of 16 or 17, and only a few would prosecute their studies after that age. Girls of the former class were called *Sadyovadhūs*, and of the latter class *Brahmavādinīs*. The education of the *Sadyovadhūs* comprised the study of important Vedic hymns necessary for usual prayers and sacrifices. Music and dancing were also taught to them ; partiality of women to these arts is often referred to in the Vedic literature.¹ *Brahmavādinīs* used to marry after their education was over ; some of them like Vedavati, a daughter of sage Kuśadhvaja, would not marry at all (*Rām.*, VII. 17).