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→Receptors: adding content
== Gurukula System ==
== Gurukula System ==
Smrtis recommend that the student should begin to live under the supervision of his teacher after his Upanayana. Etymologically Antevasin is the word for the student, denotes one who stays near his teacher and Samavartana, the word for convocation, means the occasion of returning home from the boarding or the teacher's house. Here we describe the different aspects of a Gurukula.
Smrtis recommend that the student should begin to live under the supervision of his teacher after his Upanayana. Etymologically Antevasin is the word for the student, denotes one who stays near his teacher and Samavartana, the word for convocation, means the occasion of returning home from the boarding or the teacher's house. Here we describe the different aspects of a Gurukula.<ref name=":0" />
=== Location of a Gurukula ===
=== Location of a Gurukula ===
Shri Krishna and Balarama were sent to the Gurukula of Guru Sandipani is a well known example that students were actually being sent to reside with their preceptors. Now, there are various versions about the location of a Gurukula. In earlier times majority of teachers (Seers like Valmiki, Kanva, Sandipani) preferred the sylvan solitude of the forests to teach in depth philosophies. Gradually as time passed, as supplies became scarce, Gurukulas came to be located near villages and towns chiefly because villagers around would provide their few and simple wants. Care was taken to locate the Gurukula in a secluded place, in a garden and ensured the holy setting.
Shri Krishna and Balarama were sent to the Gurukula of Guru Sandipani is a well known example that students were actually being sent to reside with their preceptors. Now, there are various versions about the location of a Gurukula. In earlier times majority of teachers (Seers like Valmiki, Kanva, Sandipani) preferred the sylvan solitude of the forests to teach in depth philosophies. Gradually as time passed, as supplies became scarce, Gurukulas came to be located near villages and towns chiefly because villagers around would provide their few and simple wants. Care was taken to locate the Gurukula in a secluded place, in a garden and ensured the holy setting.<ref name=":0" />
* Ashramas in a forest (Kanva and Valmiki)
* Ashramas in a forest (Kanva and Valmiki)
* Outside but close to a village
* Outside but close to a village
* Agraharas, Gatikas and Tols (villages consisting only of Brahmana scholars)
* Agraharas, Gatikas and Tols (villages consisting only of Brahmana scholars)
=== Preceptors ===
=== Guru or Preceptor ===
Gurukulas had teachers who were householders. Gurus such as [[Vasishta (वसिष्ठः)|Vasishta]] were associated with the members of the lineage of Ikshvaku and advised them long before Shri Rama was born. So was the case of many such Rshis and Maharshis. Guru is a person who takes charge of immature children and makes them worthy and useful citizens in society was naturally held in very high reverence. The preceptor naturally possessed several qualifications. He was expected to be a pious person, with high character, patient, impartial, inspiring and well grounded in his own branch of knowledge; he was to continue his reading throughout his life.
Gurukulas had teachers who were householders. Gurus such as [[Vasishta (वसिष्ठः)|Vasishta]] were associated with the members of the lineage of Ikshvaku and advised them long before Shri Rama was born. So was the case of many such Rshis and Maharshis. Guru is a person who takes charge of immature children and makes them worthy and useful citizens in society was naturally held in very high reverence. The preceptor naturally possessed several qualifications. He was expected to be a pious person, with high character, patient, impartial, inspiring and well grounded in his own branch of knowledge; he was to continue his reading throughout his life.<ref name=":0" />
It was the duty of the teacher to teach; all students possessed of the necessary calibre and qualifications were to be taught, without withholding knowledge irrespective of whether the student would be able to pay an honorarium or not. A Guru is the spiritual father of the child and was held as morally responsible for the drawbacks of his pupils. He was to provide food clothing and shelter to the student under his charge and help him get financial help from people of influence in the locality.
It was the duty of the teacher to teach; all students possessed of the necessary calibre and qualifications were to be taught, without withholding knowledge irrespective of whether the student would be able to pay an honorarium or not. A Guru is the spiritual father of the child and was held as morally responsible for the drawbacks of his pupils. He was to provide food clothing and shelter to the student under his charge and help him get financial help from people of influence in the locality.
* Satyakama was the son of a fallen woman but maintained Srauta fires and taught Upakosala a Brahmana.
* Satyakama was the son of a fallen woman but maintained Srauta fires and taught Upakosala a Brahmana.
* Maharshi Visvamitra, a Kshatriya is credited the composition of the 3rd Mandala of Rigveda.
* Maharshi Visvamitra, a Kshatriya is credited the composition of the 3rd Mandala of Rigveda.
Brahmanas also pursued non-vaidika professions, Dronacharya being the best example of a Brahmana teaching the Pandavas and Kauravas the art of warfare, Dhanurveda.
Brahmanas also pursued non-vaidika professions, Dronacharya being the best example of a Brahmana teaching the Pandavas and Kauravas the art of warfare, Dhanurveda.<ref name=":0" />
=== Receptors ===
=== Antevasin or Student ===
The student called as Antevasin, was to hold his teacher in deep reverence and honour him like the King, devatas and his parents according to the Manudharmashastra (2.200). His outward behaviour must be in conformity with the rules and decorum of the Gurukula, whether he is rich or poor. The student was expected to do personal service to the teacher "like a son, supplaint, or slave" ()
The student called as Antevasin, was to hold his teacher in deep reverence and honour him like the King, devatas and his parents according to the Manudharmashastra (2.200). His outward behaviour must be in conformity with the rules and decorum of the Gurukula, whether he is rich or poor. The student was expected to do personal service to the teacher "like a son, supplaint, or slave". Mahabharata (1.25.11-12) give minute details of how service should be done to the Guru, including carrying his water for bath and cleaning his utensils, tending to cows, bringing samidhas and maintaining the sacred fires. Gopatha Brahmana (1.2.1to8) explains that this Sushurta or service was very prevalent in the Vaidika age and is widely prevalent in later times also. It was a honour to do service to the Guru and it was extolled that no progress in knowledge was possible was possible without doing service in the teacher's house (Maha. Vana 36.52).
Students were always to follow the instructions of the Guru obediently, ought to salute his teacher, ought not to occupy a seat higher than the teacher, never wear a gaudier dress, refrain from reviling and backbiting.
Seeking others for daily food or Bhikshatana is one feature enjoined on the student as a religious duty. This vidhi occurs in many Grhya sutra texts and is prevalent since Vedic times. The story of [[Dhaumya (धौम्यः)|Dhaumya]] and one of his students Upamanyu is a classic example of how begging for food and first offering it to the Guru has been duty of the student.<ref name=":0" />
=== Fee payment and Finances for Gurukulas ===
The next question is how did Gurukulas thrive as the most successful model of education? In the earlier times the followers of different Vedas had formed their own literary organizations like the Parishads, Shakas and Charanas and emphasis on forming a literary educational institutions was not present; largely because Brahmanas followed the injunction of learning the Vedas and devoteing themselves to teaching as per their capacity. Each Brahmana was thus an educational institution by himself and was self sufficient. No student could be refused admission even by a private teacher simply because he was too poor to pay any fees. Payment was in monetary and service forms; a poor student could pay for his education by doing service to the Guru which became more common in the post vedic age.
In later years the Rajas and Maharajas made huge donations to the cause of developing educational centers. Agrahara institutions, Mathas, and temple colleges were all imparting free education to their students. When they received sufficient endowments, they would also arrange to provide free boarding, lodging, clothing and medicine to the students they admitted. Education in ancient India was free in much wider sense than in the modern times.
== Terminology ==
== Terminology ==