Ancient Indian Education (Brahmanical and Buddhist) c16.41

c16.41

(2) The condition precedent of all higher studies was the study of the Veda, the mastery of its words. Then follows bifurcation of or specialization in studies. To use the words of Śaṅkara [on iii, 4, 12]: "A man who has thus mastered the words of the Veda apprehends therefrom that it makes statements as to rituals producing certain results, and then on his own account applies himself to the inquiry into the meaning of those declarations; the who desires to follow the path of action applies himself to the knowledge of Dharma; he who is desirous of Release applies himself to the knowledge of Brahman. This knowledge is something different from mere cognition of sense."