Ancient Indian Education (Brahmanical and Buddhist) c16.39

c16.39

The last point of educational and social interest discussed in the Vedānta-Sūtras is the question, How far the seeker after the highest Truth, the Knowledge of Brahman, is bound by the regulations of social life. We have already seen how the Vedānta, while mentioning the antecedent conditions of its study, has excluded the inquiry into *Dharma* or ceremonial religion as being unnecessary. The question is, Whether this exclusion means that the Vedāntin is not to continue even as a member of society, subject to the laws of caste and *Āśramas* and the obligations they prescribe. The conclusion of the matter is that he who has attained to the knowledge of the Brahman may at his option concern himself with such duties, but on him who has not yet attained it, such duties, the obligations of the four *Āśramas*, are ordinarily binding. This is clear from certain scriptural texts cited in the Sūtrās, e.g. "The Brāhmaṇas seek to know this (the supreme soul) by reading the Veda, by sacrifice, by gifts, by penance, by fasts [*Bṛi. Upa*., iv, 4, 22]." These conditions apply only to those who are striving after knowledge and are called *Vāhya*, external, conditions, to be distinguished from the other more immediate, *pratyāsanna*, means of acquiring Vedāntic knowledge (such as *śama*, *dama*, etc., already described), which should not be given up by those who have even acquired that knowledge. Thus there are interesting instances quoted of men performing sacrifices even after their attainment of the knowledge of Brahman, and of others abstaining from them. Among the former are mentioned Aśvapati Kaikeya who, when approached for instruction by three Ṛishis, told them: "I am about to perform a sacrifice, Sirs" [*Chhā. Upa.*, v, 11]; also Janaka and other princes regarding whom it is said: "By Dharma only Janaka and others attained to perfection" [Śaṅkara on *Sūtra*, iii, 4, 3]. As regards men who, knowing Brahman, abandoned all work, Śaṅkara [on iii, 4, 4], cites texts such as: "The Ṛishis, descended from Kavasha, said: 'For what purpose should we study the Veda? For what purpose should we sacrifice?'"