Ancient Indian Education: An Inquiry into its Origin, Development, and Ideals c4.88

c4.88

Certain menial services had to be performed by the pupil for his teacher. This included the fetching of water and collecting fuel, and sweeping the place round the fire. Begging for his food was also a duty which the student had to perform.² Food might be accepted from men of all castes except ‘Abhiśastas and outcastes’. ³ It was to be demanded if possible from strangers, but if no alms were to be obtained in that way the student might beg in the houses of his relations or even of his teacher.⁴ When he returned from his begging tour the student had to announce to his teacher what he had received, and after receiving his permission he might eat according to the prescribed rules, ‘in silence, contented, and without greed’.⁵ In the Middle Ages in Europe we read of some students in the universities subsisting by means of begging; but India far surpassed that by making it a rule for all students, and even under modern conditions it is not at all uncommon for students to find their support in this way.