Ancient Indian Education: An Inquiry into its Origin, Development, and Ideals c4.157

c4.157

From the most ancient times there existed in India Brāhmanic settlements, and in connection with them *parishads*, or assemblies of learned Brāhmans, which gave decisions on all points connected with the Brāhmanic religion and learning.¹ In the *Bṛihadāraṇyaka Upanishad* we read that Śvetaketu went to the *parishad* of the Pañchālas.² Max Müller says ³ that according to modern writers a *parishad* ought to consist of twenty-one Brāhmans, well versed in philosophy, theology, and law. But in early periods it seems that a smaller number was sufficient. Gautama says ⁴ that a *parishad* shall consist of at least the ten following members, namely, four men who have completely studied the four Vedas, three men belonging to the three orders enumerated first, and three men who know different institutes of law. In *Vasistha*¹ and *Baudhāyana* it is said that it shall consist of four men who each know one of the four Vedas, a student of the *Mīmāmsā*, one who knows the *Angas*, one who recites the works on the sacred law, and three Brāhmans belonging to three different orders. The regulations in Manu are as follows²:—