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Initiation into education is the most important milestone after the achievement of physical development in a child's life. Most [[Childhood Samskaras (बाल्यावस्थे संस्काराः)|samskaras of the childhood]] mark the stages of physical development. The next stage is characterized by the transformation of an individual from a child with gaining more consciousness and knowledge. It is the stage when human brain was considered to be appropriate to step towards the cognitive developments and gain the strength of knowledge and virtue and not the physical strength alone.<ref name=":5">Chahal, Mandeep (2020) Ph.D Thesis Titled: ''[http://hdl.handle.net/10603/309999 Samskaras in the Grihyasutras historical account of Jatakarma Upanyana Vivaha and Antyeshti.]'' (Chapter 3)</ref><ref name=":3">Shukla, Sacchidanand (2008) ''Hindu Dharm ke Solah Sanskar''. Delhi: Prabhat Prakashan.</ref>

Initiation into education is the most important milestone after the achievement of physical development in a child's life. Impartment of education was the most important step in the development of character  of a person. The direct aim of all education, whether literary or professional, was to make the student fit to become a useful and pious member of the society. Most [[Childhood Samskaras (बाल्यावस्थे संस्काराः)|samskaras of the childhood]] mark the stages of physical development. The educational stage is characterized by the transformation of an individual from a child with gaining more consciousness and knowledge. It is the stage when human brain was considered to be appropriate to step towards the cognitive developments and gain the strength of knowledge and virtue and not the physical strength alone.<ref name=":5">Chahal, Mandeep (2020) Ph.D Thesis Titled: ''[http://hdl.handle.net/10603/309999 Samskaras in the Grihyasutras historical account of Jatakarma Upanyana Vivaha and Antyeshti.]'' (Chapter 3)</ref><ref name=":3">Shukla, Sacchidanand (2008) ''Hindu Dharm ke Solah Sanskar''. Delhi: Prabhat Prakashan.</ref>

== Introduction ==

== Introduction ==

After the early childhood stage, there is a transition period when a child is introduced to the dimensions of the spiritual world along with the existent physical world. Time has now come for the child to be introduced into social order (varna system). Initiation into a system where the worth of guiding light then be it the teacher or guru itself, or the anecdotes or incidents or any other thing to learn a lesson in life. Initiation of a child into the system of education was not just to bring out an educated person well trained in the vocations of life, rather it was to create responsible social beings who could neither fail on the parameters of material existence nor could falter on the spiritual path, which ultimately acted as guiding light for him.<ref name=":5" />

After the early childhood stage, there is a transition period when a child is introduced to the dimensions of the spiritual world along with the existent physical world. Time has now come for the child to be introduced into social order (varna system). Initiation into a system where the worth of guiding light then be it the teacher or guru itself, or the anecdotes or incidents or any other thing to learn a lesson in life. Initiation of a child into the system of education was not just to bring out an educated person well trained in the vocations of life, rather it was to create responsible social beings who could neither fail on the parameters of material existence nor could falter on the spiritual path, which ultimately acted as guiding light for him.<ref name=":5" />

Even today, time is decided for the beginning of the education of the child, the multiple steps before bringing the child into the mainstream education are followed. The child even today has to undergo the different phases of cognitive development. Thus, the Samskaras associated with education have gained focus and importance as subject of study given the intellectual progress and development of human being over few millennia.

Even today, time is decided for the beginning of the education of the child, the multiple steps before bringing the child into the mainstream education are followed. The child even today has to undergo the different phases of cognitive development. Thus, the [[Samskaras (संस्काराः)|Samskaras]] associated with education have gained focus and importance as subject of study given the intellectual progress and development of human being over few millennia.<ref name=":5" /> Rituals connected with the student's life are many, both in school and college, and several aspects of educational theory and practice are illustrated by their study.<ref name=":0">Altekar, A. S. (1944) ''Education in Ancient India.'' Benares : Nand Kishore and Bros., (Pages 265 - )</ref>

 

Upanayana or the ceremony of initiation was though recognised as the most important education rite, the education instead began little earlier with other less known rite called Vidyāraṁbha Saṁskāra.<ref name=":5" /> Rituals connected with the student's life are many, both in school and college, and several aspects of educational theory and practice are illustrated by their study.<ref name=":0">Altekar, A. S. (1944) ''Education in Ancient India.'' Benares : Nand Kishore and Bros., (Pages 265 - )</ref>

== Samskaras Related to Education ==

== Samskaras Related to Education ==

The Sutra literature furnishes ample evidence on the ancient Indian education system. It should be noted that they sum up the entire previous development in this matter and codify pre-existing traditions, unwritten laws and customs in the texts on which they are essentially based. They essentially systematized education by way of creating a social legislation; codifying the rigid system of rules, regulations and restrictions that were involved in imparting education to preserve the age-old vaidik parampara.<ref name=":6">Mookerji. Radha Kumud, (1947) Ancient Indian Education (Brahminical and Buddhist) London: MacMillan And Co., Ltd. (Page 51 and 208, 209)</ref>

The Sutra literature furnishes ample evidence on the ancient Indian education system. It should be noted that they sum up the entire previous development in this matter and codify pre-existing traditions, unwritten laws and customs in the texts on which they are essentially based. They essentially systematized education by way of creating a social legislation; codifying the rigid system of rules, regulations and restrictions that were involved in imparting education to [[Preservation of the Vedas (वेदपरिरक्षणम्)|preserve the age-old vaidik parampara]].<ref name=":6">Mookerji. Radha Kumud, (1947) Ancient Indian Education (Brahminical and Buddhist) London: MacMillan And Co., Ltd. (Page 51 and 208, 209)</ref>

Such a rigorous system enabled India to achieve high material prosperity by the excellent arrangements it made for training young men in commerce, industry and fine and useful arts. The general principles, which underlay the system,-e.g. intellectual freedom, individual attention to students, the monitorial system, [[Gurukula (गुरुकुलम्)|gurukula]] ideal, plain living and high thinking, mass education, combination of useful and liberal education, the locating of educational institutions away from the din and dust of the city-life, etc.-are inherently sound and capable of yielding excellent results even in modern times when applied with due regard to changed circumstances.<ref name=":0" />

Such a rigorous system enabled India to achieve high material prosperity by the excellent arrangements it made for training young men in commerce, industry and fine and useful arts. The general [[Principles of Education (शिक्षणसिद्धान्ताः)|principles of education]], which underlay the system, e.g. intellectual freedom, individual attention to students, the monitorial system, [[Gurukula (गुरुकुलम्)|gurukula]] ideal, plain living and high thinking, mass education, combination of useful and liberal education, the locating of educational institutions away from the din and dust of the city-life, free education, etc. are inherently sound and capable of yielding excellent results even in modern times when applied with due regard to changed circumstances.<ref name=":0" />

There are quite a few samskaras prescribed in Sanatana Dharma that pertain to education. Here we may note a list of rituals connected with various kinds of education as described by Dr. A. S. Altekar.<ref name=":0" />

There are quite a few samskaras prescribed in Sanatana Dharma that pertain to education. Here we may note a list of rituals connected with various kinds of education as described by Dr. A. S. Altekar.<ref name=":0" />

# Dhanurvedic Upanayana

# Dhanurvedic Upanayana

# Churrika-bandha (Military Convocation)

# Churrika-bandha (Military Convocation)

== References ==

== References ==

[[Category:Samskaras]]

[[Category:Samskaras]]