Ancient Indian Education (Brahmanical and Buddhist) c12.s6.1

c12.s6.1

All the Sūtras are agreed as to the length of the period of studentship. It is to consist ordinarily of twelve years for the mastery of each Veda. "Twelve years lasts the Brahmacharya for each Veda, or until he has learnt it" [Āśvalāyana]. "The studentship lasts for forty-eight years, or twenty-four years, or twelve years, or until he has learnt the Veda" [Hiraṇyakeśin]. "He who has been initiated shall dwell as a religious student in the house of his teacher for forty-eight years (if he learns all the four Vedas), or a quarter less (i.e. for thirty-six years), or less by half (i.e. for twenty-four years), or three-quarters less (i.e. for twelve years), but twelve years should be the shortest time for his residence with his teacher" [Āpastamba]. Manu, however, recognizes only the three Vedas for study, and permits thirty-six years, or half that time, or quarter, of the period required by the student to learn them perfectly [iii, 1]. Baudhāyāna, prescribing the same time-limits, calculates that, at the least, one year will be required for the study of each Kāṇḍa (of the seven Kāṇḍas of the Taittirīya-saṁhitā) [i, 2, 3, 3]. The rather excessive length of the period of studentship under the scheme of the Sūtras is also noticed by Baudhāyana who says that life is uncertain (Life is short, Art long), and quotes a passage from the Śruti which declares, "Let him kindle the sacred fires while his hair is still black." This means that the period of studentship must not be protracted too long.