Ancient Indian Education (Brahmanical and Buddhist) c9.47

c9.47

Another passage, x, 71, 2, indicates the method of evolution of Vedic Sanskrit out of the spoken tongue. The learned (dhīrāḥ) meet in their Assemblies where through their discussions language is refined into the language of the Veda, like groats through a sieve (saktumiva tita unā punanto). As fellow-seekers of Truth they are bound by a community of ideas (sakhāyaḥ sakhyāni jānate) to which they give expression in that language, the source of the highest good and knowledge (eshāṁ vāchi bhadrā lakshmīḥ nihitā). Thus this verse indicates that Vedic Sanskrit was hammered into shape out of spoken Sanskrit of the times at learned Assemblies where it was the vehicle of philosophical discussions. It may also be inferred that the Ṛishis used to gather in these Assemblies to disclose and discuss the hymns they had themselves individually attained as the result of their *tapas* and meditation. And this hymn, according to Sāyaṇa, thus refers to what may be called the Conference method, the method of discussion, for the development of this Vedic Language and Knowledge (Vidyat-Saṁghe vāchamakrata).