Ancient Indian Education (Brahmanical and Buddhist) c9.26

c9.26

As the Rigveda itself points out [x, 71, 7]: "Class-mates [*sakhās*, i.e. those of same knowledge (samānaṁ khyānaṁ jñānaṁ yeshām) or who have studied the same *Śāstras* (samāneshu śāstreshu kṛitaśramāḥ)] may have equality in the possession of their senses like the eye and the ear, 'but betray inequality in respect of their power or speed of mind [*asamāḥ* manojabeshu = manasāṁ prajaveshu (Yāska, *Nirukta*, i, 9); or the knowledge or wisdom which is attained by the mind (Sāyaṇa)]. Some are like tanks which reach up to the mouth ('unfathomable, i.e. minds whose depths cannot be reached', as explained by Durgāchārya), others up to the breast only (i.e. 'shallow, whose bottom is within sight’). Some are fit for bath, others are to be seen only.” As Sāyaṇa points out, this passage refers to three grades of students, the *Mahāprajñān*, the *Madhyama-prajñān*, and the *Alpaprajñān*, students of high, medium, and low ability. In i, 112, 2 there is a reference to pupils (dhiyaḥ) approaching for instruction the teacher called *Vachas*, i.e. one possessed of sound learning. In i, 8, 6 there is a mention of *Vipras* being instructed in supreme knowledge as its seekers (dhiyāyavaḥ).