Ancient Indian Education (Brahmanical and Buddhist) c16.42

c16.42

(3) The study of the Vedānta or the inquiry into Brahman is necessarily for the few and spiritually advanced who can devote themselves to it in complete detachment from the world or the objects of sense. This detachment can only be the outcome of the process of discipline pertaining to the four *Āśramas* of life or stages of its growth. This shows that the Vedānta was not for the novitiate; it was rather a part of the post-graduate course taken up either by the Naishṭhika or perpetual brahmachārin who would renounce the world for the sake of that knowledge or by the man of the world fitted for it by the purifying discipline and experience through which he has passed. Thus there were various grades of culture in the country suited to its different classes and ranks. The progress of a country depends largely upon the endowment of research maintaining a group of thinkers who would extend the bounds of knowledge. Such a class of seekers after truth, scientists, or philosophers did exist in ancient India, where students alone were not trusted to take care of the culture of the country. There was a vigorous intellectual life, apart from students and schools, which invaded the courts of kings (as evidenced in the Upanishads) and claimed even the aged householders as its votaries.