Ancient Indian Education: An Inquiry into its Origin, Development, and Ideals c4.128

c4.128

‘Taking hold with his right hand of the left hand of his teacher, but leaving the thumb free, the pupil shall address his teacher, saying, “Venerable Sir, recite!” He shall fix his eyes and his mind on the teacher. He shall touch with *kuśa* grass the seat of the vital airs (*i.e.* the organs of sense located in his head). He shall thrice restrain his breath for the space of fifteen moments. And he shall seat himself on blades of *kuśa* grass the tops of which are turned to the east. The five *vyāhṛitis* (*i.e.* the mystic words *Bhūḥ, Bhuvaḥ, Svaḥ, Satyam,* and *Puruṣaḥ*) must each be preceded by the syllable *Ōm* and with *Satya*. Every morning the feet of the teacher must be embraced by the pupil. And both at the beginning and at the end of a lesson in the Veda. After having received permission, the pupil shall sit down to the right of his teacher, turning his face towards the east or towards the north, and the *sāvitrī* must be recited. All these acts must be performed at the beginning of the instruction in the Veda. The syllable *Ōm* must precede the recitation of other parts of the Veda also.’