Ancient Indian Education: An Inquiry into its Origin, Development, and Ideals c4.32

c4.32

In the *Atharvaveda*¹ there is a mystic hymn which describes the sun, or the primeval principle, under the figure of a Brāhman student (*brahmachārī*), who brings firewood and alms for his teacher. This offering of firewood to a teacher became the regular way by which a youth sought to be recognized as his pupil, and implied a desire to partake in his domestic sacrifice and to accept the duty of helping to maintain it. It also came to be a duty for students to collect alms for their own support and that of their teacher. From the *Brāhmaṇas* we can get some idea of the early development of the educational system of the Brāhmans. In the *Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa*, for instance, we are given a line of succession of teachers who have transmitted the sacrificial science.² This line is traced back to Prajāpati, and Brāhman students are spoken of as guarding their teacher, his house and cattle, lest he should be taken from them.³ There are references also to a lad going to a teacher with firewood in his hand and asking to become his pupil,⁴ and to students collecting alms and fuel for their teacher.⁵ This *Brāhmaṇa* also contains an account of the Upanayana, or initiation, of the Brāhmanical student.⁶ ‘He says, “I have come for *brahmacharya*” (studentship); he thereby reports himself to the Brāhman. He says, “Let me be a *brahmachārī*” (student); he thereby makes himself over to the Brāhman. He (the teacher) then says, “What is thy name?” . . . He then takes his (right) hand with, “Indra’s disciple thou art; Agni is thy teacher; I am thy teacher, O N. N.!” He then commits him to the beings: “To Prajāpati I commit thee; to the god Savitṛi I commit thee. . . . To the waters, to the plants I commit thee. . . . To Heaven and Earth I commit thee. . . . To all beings I commit thee for security from injury. Thou art a *brahmachārī* . . . sip water . . . do thy work . . . put on fuel . . . do not sleep . . . sip water.’” ‘Sip water’ is explained as meaning ‘sip ambrosia’. ‘He thus encloses him on both sides with ambrosia.’ ‘He then recites to him (teaches him) the *sāvitrī*.’