Formal Education System in Ancient India
by Sushmita Nath | 2016 | 63,563 words
This page relates 鈥楽ubjects studied in the Epic Period鈥� of the study on the (formal) education system in Ancient India with reference to Vedic and Buddhist period, investiging educational institutions and universities which existed during this time. Professional educational methods were found in ancient Sanskrit literature (Brahamanas, Dharma-Shastras, Puranas, Jatakas, etc.), including rules, ceremonies and duties of pupils in ancient India.
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Subjects studied in the Epic Period
The Epic also introduced the variegated curriculum of studies. During the age, Vocational and Professional educations received special emphasis. The hermitage education system was popular during those days. In one hermitage there were several departments like department of Veda, department of 搁腻箩苍墨迟颈, department of Astronomy and department of transport[1]. This departmental education system shows that during the age the courses of study were become numerous and variegated. Basically both the epics, the 搁腻尘腻测补峁嘺 and the 惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补, mention that during the age Veda, 痴别诲腻峁単补蝉, Dhanurveda, 狈颈迟颈艣腻迟谤补, 痴腻谤迟迟腻, 顿补峁囜笉补苍墨迟颈, 膧苍惫墨办峁办墨, Music, Poetry, 滨迟颈丑腻蝉补, 笔耻谤腻峁嘺, the lore of elephant and chariots, 尝补峁単丑补苍补 (Jumping), Plavana (Swimmimg), Lekhya (Writing), 膧濒别办丑测补 (Painting), 艢补产诲补艣腻蝉迟谤补, Yukti艣膩stra, 骋腻苍诲丑补谤惫补艣腻蝉迟谤补 and Asta峁単a 膧测耻谤惫别诲补 were the chief subjects[2]. During the age all the students were not allowed to study all these varied subjects. Specialisation of course was necessary. The each 痴补谤峁嘺 had their own profession. According to differentiation of 骋耻峁嘺 and Karman the each 痴补谤峁嘺s were developed[3]. For their profession they choose their own subjects and become specialized in that subject.
The 叠谤腻丑尘补峁嘺蝉 were the priest. Their main duties were studying, teaching of Vedas, performance of 驰补箩帽补 for themselves as well as others, receiving and giving gifts[4]. They guide the entire community. They also undertake the responsibility of the education of the 碍峁迟谤颈测补蝉 and 痴补颈艣测补蝉. That is why, they studied all the subjects. But they were specially trained in the Vedas. The 惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补[5] gives reference on this point that 鈥�Traividyo br膩hma峁噊 惫颈诲惫腻苍鈥︹��.e峁 sm峁泃o 诲惫颈箩补岣�鈥�. That means the 叠谤腻丑尘补峁嘺 who have the knowledge of three Vedas become actual 叠谤腻丑尘补峁嘺. The 碍峁迟谤颈测补蝉 were the rulers. The defense, protection of people and administration was their main duty[6]. For the efficient performance of such responsibility, the training of intellectual faculties, military education, knowledge of 顿丑补谤尘补艣腻蝉迟谤补, 狈颈迟颈艣腻蝉迟谤补 were essential. But greater importance was given to the knowledge of Vedas and military training. The 搁腻尘腻测补峁嘺 contains a reference to the military training of King 顿补艣补谤补迟丑补鈥檚 sons during their boyhood[7]. Like that in the 惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补 we also find the military training of Kauravas and 笔腻峁囜笉补惫补蝉. Guru 顿谤辞峁嚹乧腻谤测补 imparts education to Kauravas and 笔腻峁囜笉补惫补蝉 in a very short time[8]. As regards the 痴补颈艣测补蝉, agriculture, animal husbandry, and trade was their chief occupations. That is why, they studied all the 痴腻谤迟迟腻艣腻蝉迟谤补蝉[9]. But it is also natural that a student was not able to study all the subjects. That is why, in the 惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补[10] 惭补丑腻迟尘腻 叠丑墨峁补 suggested his grandson 驰耻诲颈峁ａ弓丑颈谤补 that he had to study the Vedas 搁腻箩苍墨迟颈vidy膩, 罢补谤办补艣腻蝉迟谤补, 痴腻谤迟迟腻艣膩stra and 顿补峁囜笉补苍墨迟颈 because it was expected that a King must be proficient in all these subjects.
Besides this, the 搁腻尘腻测补峁嘺 and the 惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补 give many examples where a person is qualified in diverse course of subjects. In 搁腻尘腻测补峁嘺 we find that 搁腻尘补 and his younger brothers were well versed in various subjects. 搁腻尘补 was well versed in Veda, 痴别诲腻峁単补蝉, Dhanurveda, 狈墨迟颈艣腻蝉迟谤补 and all the other subjects[11]. From the time of childhood he studied all the Vedas and observed the vow of 叠谤补丑尘补肠腻谤颈 and became master in all the 艢腻蝉迟谤补蝉. When 搁腻尘补 went with 痴颈艣惫腻尘颈迟谤补 to kill the demons, he learnt various kinds of sciences of missiles and weapons and became master in all the weapons[12]. During this time he learnt the two mantras called 痴补濒腻 and 础迟颈惫补濒腻 which were the mother of all learnings[13]. He was profoundly proficient in Dhanurveda. He was first class charioteer and expert in riding elephant[14]. He was a master in all those arts that are specially studied for travelling purpose. He was also proficient in poetry, philosophy, music and in fine arts[15]. It was matter of fact that 搁腻尘补 was proficient in all these varied subjects because during the time of intervals he used to cultivate the 艣腻蝉迟谤补蝉 and became a master in all these varied subjects.
尝补办峁补峁嘺 was also proficient in all the 艣腻蝉迟谤补蝉.But he was specially proficient in the art of warfare and in Nitisastra where as Bharata was proficient in three Vedas, 痴腻谤迟迟腻艣腻蝉迟谤补蝉 and in 顿补峁囜笉补苍墨迟颈[16].
搁腻箩补谤峁 顿补艣补谤补迟丑补, the father of 搁腻尘补 and his brothers was well versed in all the 艣腻蝉迟谤补蝉. But he was specially specialised in the Veda and the 痴别诲腻峁単补蝉.[17]
搁腻惫补苍补, the king of 尝补帽办腻 was proficient in Veda and 痴别诲腻峁単补蝉[18]. His son Indrajit and Prince 础办峁 were well versed in the art of warfare. Indrajit was very proficient in the use of the 叠谤补丑尘腻艣迟谤补蝉 where as 础办峁 was proficient in aiming and throwing the arrows[19].
贬补苍耻尘腻苍补 the minister of Sugriv was a Vedic scholar. He observed life time the bow of 叠谤补丑尘补肠腻谤颈. His educational attainment was so impressive that 搁腻尘补 also appreciated his talent. He was a 笔补峁囜笉颈迟补 and master in all the Vedas, 痴别诲腻峁単补蝉, Niti艣腻蝉迟谤补蝉, 顿丑补谤尘补艣腻蝉迟谤补s, art of warfare, 狈测腻测补 and in statecraft. He was a great grammarian because he never used wrong and unsuitable words. His speech was very fluent and clear. He also knew 础测耻谤惫别诲补艣腻蝉迟谤补. His debating skill was so impressive that he surpassed 叠峁沨补蝉辫补迟颈 the guru of Gods[20].
The twin sons of 搁腻尘补 and Sita, Lava and 碍耻艣补 were also highly talented. They were both educated at the hermitage of 痴腻濒尘颈办墨 or 痴腻濒尘颈办墨s鈥� 膧艣谤补尘补. The 痴腻濒尘颈办墨 gave them specialized training. They were expert in Vedas, 痴别诲腻峁単补蝉, and were very much comprehensive in knowledge in music, poetic and in elocution[21].
In the 惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补 we meet with similar account. On the educational attainments of Kauravas and 笔腻峁囜笉补惫补蝉 we find that all the Princes were proficient in their own field. Duryodhana and 叠丑墨尘补 were expert in mac fighting[22]. Nakula and Sahadeva were expert in swords[23]. Dharmar膩j Yudhi峁ａ弓岣ra was expert in Vedas and 顿丑补谤尘补艣腻蝉迟谤补s but he was highly expert in driving horse and chariots. And Arjuna was an unrivalled bowman[24]. They also studied the other 艢腻蝉迟谤补蝉 but they were specially trained in their own filed. 顿谤辞峁嚹乧腻谤测补, the son of 峁歴i Varadv膩ja was the guru of Kauravas and 笔腻峁囜笉补惫补蝉. 惭补丑腻迟尘腻 叠丑墨峁补 appointed him as their guru. He was master in all Vedas and 痴别诲腻峁単补蝉. From 笔补谤艣耻谤腻尘补 he had learnt all the Astra 惫颈诲测腻蝉 and the 顿丑补苍耻谤惫别诲补艣腻蝉迟谤补[25]. Kauravas and 笔腻峁囜笉补惫补蝉 received all education from Guru 顿谤辞峁嚹乧腻谤测补 within a very short time.
惭补丑腻迟尘腻 叠丑墨峁补 was expert in all the 艣腻蝉迟谤补蝉. He learnt all the Vedas and 痴别诲腻峁単补蝉 from guru Vai艣i峁ａ弓ha. He was an unrivalled bowman and master in 顿丑补苍耻谤惫别诲补艣腻蝉迟谤补, and in 驰耻诲丑补艣腻蝉迟谤补. As a warrior he was equal to 顿别惫谤腻箩 Indra[26]. Like that 笔腻峁囜笉耻 was an expert Dhanurveda. Bidura was an expert in 顿丑补谤尘补艣腻蝉迟谤补 and in 狈颈迟颈艣腻蝉迟谤补 whereas 顿峁泃丑补谤腻蝉迟谤补 was an expert in his own strength[27]. During the age various other subjects like Yukti艣膩stra, 艢补产诲补艣腻蝉迟谤补,
Gandarva艣膩stra, 滨迟颈丑腻蝉补, 笔耻谤腻峁嘺, 膧办丑测腻苍补, Hastis奴tra, A艣vas奴tra, Rathas奴tra, Yantras奴tra, N膩gara艣膩stra, 狈颈迟颈艣腻蝉迟谤补, Pa帽car膩tra艣膩stra, 惭补丑腻产丑腻峁补, Ga峁噄tvidy膩 [Ga峁噄tavidy膩?], Vanaspatividy膩, A峁ａ弓vavidy膩 and 驰耻诲丑补惫颈诲测腻 also receive importance[28]. During the age subjects of study were divided in to two parts-Primary course and the Secondary course. In primary course the students generally studied all the Vedas and 痴别诲腻峁単补蝉 and in Secondary course they studied all the 艢腻迟谤补蝉 and became proficient in their own field. In the 惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补 we find that 笔腻峁囜笉补惫补蝉 and Kauravas before started their secondary education they learnt the entire primary course from 碍峁沺腻肠腻谤测补[29].
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
[2]:
罢谤补测墨 c膩nvik峁k墨 caiva 痴腻谤迟迟腻 ca bharatar峁bha |da峁囜笉an墨ti艣ca 惫颈辫耻濒腻 惫颈诲测腻蝉tatra nirdir艣it膩|| 惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补 艢h膩nti.59.33; yukti艣膩stra ca te je帽ya峁� 艣avda艣膩stra峁� 产丑腻谤补迟补 |Ibid.Anu 104.147; 骋腻苍诲丑补谤惫补艣腻蝉迟谤补 ca 办补濒腻岣� 辫补谤颈箩帽别测腻 苍补谤腻诲丑颈辫补 |pur膩峁嘺mitih膩sa艣ca 迟补迟丑腻khy膩n膩ni y膩ni ca||Ibid Anu.104.148;搁腻尘腻测补峁嘺 I.80.27.
[4]:
[5]:
惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补 Anu.141.66.
[7]:
Te c膩pi manujavy膩gr膩 vaidik膩dhyayane 谤补迟腻 |pit峁浥泆艣rupa峁嘺谤补迟腻 dhanurvede ca ni峁ａ弓it膩岣 搁腻尘腻测补峁嘺 18.35-36.
[8]:
[9]:
[10]:
滨产颈诲.艢丑腻苍迟颈.63.
[11]:
Vedaveda峁単atatvajno Dhanurveda ca ni峁ａ弓ita岣|搁腻尘腻测补峁嘺 叠腻濒补.I.14. Sarva艣膩starthatatvv帽ja岣� sm峁泃im膩npratibh膩nav膩n|Ibid.叠腻濒补.15.
[12]:
Dh膩rayantyasur膩 y膩ni dad膩myet膩ni sarva艣a岣� ||Ibid.叠腻濒补.27.13.
[13]:
Mantragr膩ma峁� g峁沨膩峁嘺 迟惫补峁� val膩mativala峁� 迟补迟丑腻 |Ibid.叠腻濒补.22.12; val膩 catival膩 caiva sarvaj帽膩nasya m膩tarau |Ibid.叠腻濒补.22.16.
[14]:
Dhanurvedavid膩峁� 艣re峁ａ弓o lokeo鈥檛irathasammata岣� | Ibid.Ayodha.1.29); 膩rohe vinaye caiva yukto v膩ra峁嘺v膩jin膩m |Ibid.Ayodha.1.28.
[15]:
g膩ndharve ca bhuvi 艣re峁ａ弓o vabhuva bha谤补迟腻graja岣�||Ibid.Ayodha.2.34.
[17]:
[18]:
Ibid.Yuddha.110.
[19]:
Tamastra vicchastravid膩峁� 惫补谤颈峁ａ弓补岣�鈥︹�︹�︹��.pit膩mah膩r膩gha帽sancit膩stra岣| Ibid.sundra.48.2; 迟补迟补岣� sa 惫颈谤补岣� sumukh膩npatatri峁嘺岣� suvar峁嘺pu峁卥膩nasavi峁Ｄ乶iv墨rag膩n | Sam膩dhisa峁儁ogavimok峁tatvavit 艣ar膩natha tr墨nkapim奴rdhanyap膩tayat ||Ibid.Sundara.47.14.
[20]:
yo br膩hmamastra峁� ved膩艣ca veda vedavid膩峁� 惫补谤补岣� |Ibid.Yuddha.28.21. sam奴trav峁泃yarthapada峁� 尘补丑腻谤迟丑补峁�鈥︹�︹�︹��.vai艣膩rade chandogatau tathaiva||Ibid. Uttara.36.45; Sarv膩su 惫颈诲测腻蝉u tapovidh膩ne praspardhateya峁� hi 驳耻谤耻峁� sur膩峁嘺m |Ibid.Uttara.36.46.
[21]:
[23]:
迟补迟丑腻pi puru峁Ｄ乶any膩na ts膩rukau yamaj膩vubhau||Ibid.膧di 131.62.
[25]:
Vedved膩峁単a惫颈诲惫腻苍 sa tapas膩 dagdhkilba峁岣Ibid.膧di.129.45; pratigrhaya tu tatsarva峁� k峁泃膩strao 诲惫颈箩补蝉补迟迟补尘补岣�触滨产颈诲.膧诲颈.129.66.
[26]:
Ved膩nadhijage s膩峁単an vasi峁ａ弓膩de峁 viryav膩n | k峁泃膩stra岣� parame峁膩so devr膩jsamo yudhi ||Ibid.膧di.100.35.
[27]:
[29]:
惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补 膧诲颈.129.23-25.