Ancient Indian Education (Brahmanical and Buddhist) c12.39

c12.39

**Education a Second Birth.** The texts describe with great feeling how Upanayana accomplishes a second birth which is purer in its origin than man's natural birth. Here, as Manu says [ii, 146, 148], his mother is Sāvitrī, and father the Āchārya who imparts to him what is higher than the body, the Veda or Knowledge which builds up his mind and soul. "That birth which the teacher procures for him through the Sāvitrī is exempt from age and death." As Āpastamba states, "this birth is the superior birth, as it originates from knowledge. What father and mother generate is the mere body." Thus all are "twice-born" by Upanayana and become known as *Dvijas*. "The first birth is due to the mother, the second to *mauñjī-bandhana*" [Vasishṭha and Yājñavalkya]. Thus man is "reborn" by education in the life spiritual aptly called *Brahma-janma* by Manu. With this high conception of education and its effects by which man is refined (*saṁskṛita*) and spiritualized, there is no wonder that the man not taking education is deemed unworthy of social intercourse and an outcast.