Ancient Indian Education (Brahmanical and Buddhist) c12.50

c12.50

Symbolism of Uniform. There is spiritual significance behind each of these external marks prescribed for the Brahmachārī. Āpastamba states [*D.S.*, i, 1, 3, 9]: “He who wishes the increase of Brāhmaṇa power shall wear *Ajina* (skins) only; he who wishes the increase of Kshatriya power shall wear cloth only; he who wishes the increase of both shall wear both [cf. *Gopatha Brāhmaṇa*, i, 2, 4]. Hiraṇyakeśin [i, 1, 4, 6] calls the skin as “a chaste, mobile vesture”. The symbolism of *Vāsa* or garment is thus explained by Pāraskara [ii, 2, 7]: “In the way in which Bṛihaspati put the garment of immortality on Indra, thus I put (this garment) on thee, for the sake of long life, of old age, of strength, of splendour.” Hiraṇyakeśin [i, 1, 4, 2-3] extends still further this symbolism by stating that the student puts on the garment that he may be clothed “with long life, in the increase of wealth, and be a protector of human beings against imprecations”.