Education During Vedic / Brahmanical Period

Education During Vedic / Brahmanical Period

 The origin of the history of education in India can be traced to the Vedic age dated to the period of 1500 – 800 B.C. The period 800 – 600 B.C is called the period of the brahmanas.  

Features of Vedic Education

The main features of Vedic education are ;

Gurukul (Gurukulam) Education  

 Gurukul system of education in ancient India was related to the quest of studies. Here the Guru or the teacher lived with his family members along with his students and imparts education to them in varied fields. Gurukula was generally established in forests , way from the dean bustle of normal life. A Shishya or a student served his guru for years and gained the faith of the guru with his determination , discipline, sincerity and intelligence before he was provided an opportunity to acquire the knowledge of different subjects. The Gurukul system taught students simple living, loyalty & duty and quest for learning.  

Admission to the Gurukulam   

The formal admission ceremony was known a ‘Upanayana’ with the accomplishment of Upanayana the child had to leave his home for ‘Ashram’ where he would receive education. Upanayana is compulsory at that period. It was supposed to be the re-birth of the child and was know as ‘Dvijya’ means to wish born. It was mainly the Brahmins followed by kshatriyas that receive education of gurukuls. While the members from the lower caste learned in their family trained from their parents.

Parishads  

 After the completion of Ashrama education pupil may join in the academy of higher learning it was known as ‘Parishadas’.

Viduansadas  

 It was a conference convent by the rulers of that time, in which eminent scholars of Vedic literature named ‘Ajaryas’ were participated . They involved in active discussions and debates about different subjects. And that was also one kind of education because they convey their wisdom knowledge each other.

Education System  

 The education system involved of three basic process , which included ‘Sravana, Manana, Nidhyasana’. In the ‘Sravana’ of education students received (Strutis) knowledge was passed orally from one generation to another. The second stage was ‘Manana’ which means that people had to think themselves about what they have heard . They have to make their own inferences and assimilate the lesson taught by their teacher in to the life. The third stage ‘Nidhityasana’ means complete comprehension of the truth and its use in the life.

Free Education  

 In ancient India teaching was considered to be holy duty which a Brahmin was bound to discharge irrespective of consideration of the free teacher were expected to devote their lives to the course of teaching. In the missionary spirit of self scarifies. Society realized that ‘Vidyadana’ is the gift in the course of education was to be the best of gifts, possessing a higher religious merit than even the gift of land.

Curriculum  

The subject of instruction varied according to the vocational needs of the different casts from the Vedas and Vedangas. In case of Brahmins to the art of warfare in case of kshatriyas and to agriculture and trade , arts and crafts in the case of vaishyas. At the gurukuls the teacher imparted knowledge of religion, scriptures, philosophy, literature, warfare, craft , medicine , Astrology and history.

Medium of Instruction & Method of Instruction

 The medium of instruction was Sanskrit.  The method of instruction generally consisted of recitation by the teachers and repletion by pupil, followed by explanation by the teachers . Questioning by the pupil and discussion between teacher and pupil.

Self control and Self Discipline  

 It was considered to be the best discipline. However corporal punishment was not altogether ruled out.

High status of Teachers  

 Teachers was highly honored class even by the kings. Kings rose from thrones to receive greater teachers such as Narada, Vashishta and Vishamitra.

No state control on Education :

Rules of the country had very little directly to do with education. It was a private affairs of the people managed entirely by Brahmins.  

Wide spread education of women  

 In the earlier Vedic and Upanishads times girls were free to go through the Upanayana ceremony live a life of celibacy, studied Vedas , Vedangas and other subjects along with their brother pupils.

Aims, Objectives & Ideals of Vedic Education

Ultimate objective as ‘Moksha’ or self –realisation : Ancient Indians believed that education should prepare an individual in such away as to prepare him to attain the objective of liberation ie, to be one with the almighty and to be free from the cycle of births and deaths.  

Infusion of Piety and Religiousness  

 In ancient India religion played a prominent part of education aimed at the infusion of piety religiousness in the mind of the pupil.

Education for Worldliness

 Happiness in other world was given more stress than the happiness in this world. This world according to them was unreal and full of fetters.

The highest wisdom was a release from these fetters.  

Character Formation  Education must form character mere intellect was not of worth if the person was devoid of not much morality. Morality or the right behavior was the higher ‘Dharma’. Education was regarded as a means of including values such as strict obedience of elders, truthfulness, honesty and temperance.

Development All round Personality  

Ancient Indians believed that person ability should be developed through education. Personality was developed through the following methods ;  

a)                   Self – restraint

b)                   Self – confidence.

c)                   Self – respect.

d)                   Discrimination And judgment

Stress on Social duties  

 A student was not to self centered life . He has to perform his duties as  son, as husband, as a father, and among many other capacities conscientiously and efficiently in the society. His wealth was not for his own sake , as for his family, he must be hospitable and charitable. All professions laid stress on civil responsibilities.  

Promotion of Social Efficiency and Welfare  

Society had accepted the theory of division of work which was  later on governed by the principle of heredity. Each family trained its children in his own profession. The purpose was to make each individual society efficient.

Preservation And Promotion of Culture  

 The preservation of national culture and heritage was also stressed. The services of the whole community were conscripted for the purpose of the preservation of the Vedic literature. Every person had to be learn at least a portion of his sacred literacy heritage. A section of Brahmins as had to devote the whole of their life to the course of learning to commit the Vedas to memory in order to ensure preservation.

 According to recent researches following descriptions were included in the curriculum in the graded forms in accordance with the stages of education.  

•               Anthropology

•               Astronomy

•               Economics

•               Epistemology

•               Eschatology

•               Ethnology

•               Geology

•               Human eugenics  

•               Mathematics

•               Military science

Women Education in the Ancient Period

 In the earlier Vedic period women were given the right to education and teaching. Men and women were given equal status in the society.

According to the opinion of Sree. Radhkumar Mukharji ‘ A famous scholar of Vedic Literature some ‘Sukthas’ in the Rig-Veda were written by women ‘Risis’. Gargi a famous women scholar had participated in a

‘Darsanik Sadas’ (Assembly of Ideology) in which permanent scholars of

                                  Vedic       literature       called       Ajaryas       like        Aswapalan       ,       Bhrujuw       ,

Ardhahabhagan, Aruni, Udhalakan were participated. But later especially after the period of Upanishads women were deprived of their rights to education and lost their dignity status in the society. In the later Vedic period cast system came into existence and the society was divided into four main caste ie., Brahmins , Kshatriyas, Vaishyas And Sudras.  

 New laws were created which helped men to get domination upon the women patriarchy system was came into existence. Polygamy was becoming more common among the upper class. Women were deprived of their right and freedom to Upanayana and to get education of Vedic literature. A famous slogan in the ‘Manusmrith’, the book of laws is the great example for that,

“ Pitha Rakshathi Kawmare

Bhartha Rakshathi Yawane

Putra Rakshathe Vardhakhye

Na Stree Swathandryamarhathy”