Ancient Indian Education (Brahmanical and Buddhist) c12.s2.13

c12.s2.13

**Begging.** One of the standing duties of the Brahmachārin was to go out *begging* for alms. Generally, the women were to be addressed in prescribed terms varying according to the caste of the begging student. A Brahmin is to use the word "Lady", at the beginning, a Kshatriya, in the middle, and a Vaiśya, at the end, of the sentence prescribed for asking for alms [*Pārask.*, ii, 5, 2–4; *Āpastamba*, i, 1, 3, 28–30]. The student had to go out for begging twice a-day, in the morning and evening [*Āp.*, i, 1, 3, 25; *Āśval.*, i, 22, 4]. According to *Gopatha Brāhmaṇa* [i, 2, 1–8], and Baudhāyana-Dharma-sūtra [i, 2, 52], a pupil must perform a prescribed penance for his omission to beg at least once a week. This rule indicates (1) that begging was enjoined mainly as a measure of discipline for its educative value, and (2) that it was not a compulsory daily duty. According to Āpastamba [ib.] the student may beg of "everybody except low-caste people unfit for association with Āryas and Abhiśastas". Gautama [ii, 35] also forbids the students begging of "abhiśastas and outcastes", while Vishṇu [xxviii, 9] restricts the begging to "the houses of virtuous persons, excepting those of the Guru or his relatives". Where, however, no alms could be obtained by aforesaid means, the student might beg in his own house, or in that of his teacher or his relations [Gautama, ii, 37). According to Manu, the proper persons to be approached for alms are those who are not deficient in the knowledge of the Veda and in performing sacrifices, and who are noted for adhering to their lawful occupations [ii, 183-5; also Baudhāyana, i, 2, 3, 18]. Manu also condemns a student as guilty of theft if he gathers by begging more food than he needs and sells the surplus [cited in Vīramitrodaya, *p.* 486]. Begging was also not permitted to a Snātaka [*Samāvṛittasya bhikshā aśuchikarā* (Baudhāyana, ii, 1, 63)]. The student shall not beg for his own sake alone [*Āp.*, i, 1, 3, 35], but submit the proceeds of his begging to his teacher [ib., 31; *Āśv.*, i, 22, 10; *Vasishṭha*, vii, 14; *Vishṇu*, xxviii, 10]. If the proceeds are other than food, such as cattle or fuel, they are to be offered to the teacher as rewards given to priests for the performance of a sacrifice [*Āp.*, i, 1, 4, 3]. Baudhāyana [i, 2, 4, 7] points out the virtues of begging, viz. that by this the student makes himself poor and humble in spirit. It was thus valued as a method of moral discipline.