Ancient Indian Education: An Inquiry into its Origin, Development, and Ideals c4.137

c4.137

them. At the beginning of each lecture the pupils embrace the feet of their teacher and say, Read, Sir. The teacher answers, *Ōm*, Yes, and then pronounces two words, or if it is a compound, one. When the teacher has pronounced one word, or two, the first pupil repeats the first word; but if there is anything that requires explanation, the pupil says, Sir; and after it has been explained to him (the teacher says) *Ōm*, Yes, Sir. In this manner they go on till they have finished a *praśna* (question) which consists of three verses, or if they are verses of more than 40 to 42 syllables, of two verses. If they are *pankti* verses of 40 to 42 syllables each, a *praśna* may comprise either two or three; and if a hymn consists of one verse only, that is supposed to form a *praśna*. After the *praśna* is finished, they have all to repeat it once more, and then to go on learning it by heart, pronouncing every syllable with the high accent. After the teacher has first told a *praśna* to his pupil on the right, the others go round him to the right, and this goes on till the whole *adhyāya* or lecture is finished; a lecture consisting generally of 60 *praśnas*. At the end of the last half-verse the teacher says, Sir, and the pupil replies, *Ōm*, Yes, Sir, repeating also the verses required at the end of a lecture. The pupils then embrace the feet of their teacher, and are dismissed. The *Prātiśākhya* contains a number of minute rules besides as to repetition of words, etc.