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We find many good qualities that a student should have given in texts like Smritis, Mahabharata, Chanakyaneeti and later day sources like Subhashitas.

We find many good qualities that a student should have given in texts like Smritis, Mahabharata, Chanakyaneeti and later day sources like Subhashitas.

==== Sushrusha (शुश्रूषा) ====

=== Sushrusha (शुश्रूषा) ===

One of the duties of a student was to do personal service to the teacher along with all sundry work in his gurukula or his teacher's house, like cleansing the rooms etc., bringing fuel or guarding cattle. This custom existed in the Vedic age and was widely prevalent in later times also. Tradition asserts that even great personages like Sri-Krishna had deemed it an honour to do all kind of sundry work in their preceptor's house during their student days. It was held that no progress in knowledge was possible without service in the teacher's house. A student was to listen to all instructions from the teacher obediently at all times and perform the instructed activities without hesitation. This kind of service, called Sushrusha, had its limitations and the teacher was prohibited from assigning any work that interfered with the studies of the student.  

One of the duties of a student was to do personal service to the teacher along with all sundry work in his gurukula or his teacher's house, like cleansing the rooms etc., bringing fuel or guarding cattle. This custom existed in the Vedic age and was widely prevalent in later times also. Tradition asserts that even great personages like Sri-Krishna had deemed it an honour to do all kind of sundry work in their preceptor's house during their student days. It was held that no progress in knowledge was possible without service in the teacher's house. A student was to listen to all instructions from the teacher obediently at all times and perform the instructed activities without hesitation. This kind of service, called Sushrusha, had its limitations and the teacher was prohibited from assigning any work that interfered with the studies of the student. It was one of the important ways of attaining Vidya as exemplified in this Subhashita. <blockquote>गुरुशुश्रूषया विद्या पुष्कलेन धनेन वा । विद्यया लभ्यते विद्या चतुर्थी नोपलभ्यते ॥ (Subh. Pust. Samanya Neeti, Shloka 257<ref>Pt. Kashinath Sharma. ''Subhashita Pustakabhandagara'', Samanya Neeti (Page 159)</ref>) </blockquote>Vidya is obtained by three ways - by service to the Guru (गुरुशुश्रूष), by (giving) abundant wealth (पुष्कलेन धनेन) and by Vidya (teaching, reading etc) itself; there is no fourth way by which Vidya is obtained.  

Sushrusha is the foremost quality a shishya should possess. The term Sushrusha (शुश्रूषा) is derived from श्रु - श्रवणे (1.1092) used in the meaning कथनम् । श्रोतुमिच्छा ।<ref>Shabdakalpadhruma (See under [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BE Sushrusha] )</ref> telling and interested to listen. It is used in the sense of "telling, desirous of hearing, desire to hear and serve, reverence, obedience, attention to, at the service of"; thus Sushrusha to the Guru may be considered as one desirous to hear (the Guru's words with attention) and perform what has been advised by him (with full faith and obedience). We must note that in the [[Gurukula (गुरुकुलम्)|Gurukula]] system of education, a Shishya lived with the Guru over a long period of time and so sushrusha was a continuous process. He is in constant company with the Acharya with a goal to hear what (siddhanta, tattva) he tells in any particular circumstance that comes across in daily life.

Sushrusha to the Guru, as we see above, is the foremost quality a shishya should possess. The term Sushrusha (शुश्रूषा) is derived from श्रु - श्रवणे (1.1092) used in the meaning कथनम् । श्रोतुमिच्छा ।<ref>Shabdakalpadhruma (See under [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BE Sushrusha] )</ref> telling and interested to listen. It is used in the sense of "telling, desirous of hearing, desire to hear and serve, reverence, obedience, attention to, at the service of"; thus Sushrusha to the Guru may be considered as one desirous to hear (the Guru's words with attention) and perform what has been advised by him (with full faith and obedience). We must note that in the [[Gurukula (गुरुकुलम्)|Gurukula]] system of education, a Shishya lived with the Guru over a long period of time and so sushrusha was a continuous process. He is in constant company with the Acharya with a goal to hear what (siddhanta, tattva) he tells in any particular circumstance that comes across in daily life.

The importance of sushrusha is mentioned by understanding the definition for the term Shishya (शिष्य) in '''Shabdakalpadruma''' as follows<ref name=":9">Shabdakalpadruma ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE See Shishya (शिष्यः)])</ref>

The importance of sushrusha is mentioned by understanding the definition for the term Shishya (शिष्य) in '''Shabdakalpadruma''' as follows<ref name=":9">Shabdakalpadruma ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE See Shishya (शिष्यः)])</ref>

It has been falsely portrayed in many instances that sushrusha to Guru meant performing household chores, tending to the cows, performing agricultural activities, and personal service to the Guru and his family without any learning activity. However, that is not the case. As  mentioned above, the shishya spends his complete time with the Acharya participating in all activities of daily life. While selecting the twigs for yajnas he learns botanical aspects practically. While observing how his Acharyas and seniors perform the yajnas he learns the practical aspects about it. Thus on a continuous basis he learns the principles and reasoning involved in the activities when he observes them closely and performs them. This method of teaching instills confidence to handle the problems that may arise during the various activities involved in the life of a Grhastha. Acharya teaches the knowledge involved for say how to observe the soil for tilling or predict the rains based on movement of the celestial bodies. The tattva or reasoning behind the actions may not be immediately understood by the disciple and it is here that sushrusha has to be remembered. There were many times when the secrets unraveled by the Acharyas are specifically given only to his students and thus the knowledge is transmitted to the future student generations of that rshi. In this way the theory and practical aspects of subjects such as Botany, Geology, Astronomy, Agricultural activities, Mathematics, Political Sciences etc were grasped by students under constant guidance as well as surveillance.  

It has been falsely portrayed in many instances that sushrusha to Guru meant performing household chores, tending to the cows, performing agricultural activities, and personal service to the Guru and his family without any learning activity. However, that is not the case. As  mentioned above, the shishya spends his complete time with the Acharya participating in all activities of daily life. While selecting the twigs for yajnas he learns botanical aspects practically. While observing how his Acharyas and seniors perform the yajnas he learns the practical aspects about it. Thus on a continuous basis he learns the principles and reasoning involved in the activities when he observes them closely and performs them. This method of teaching instills confidence to handle the problems that may arise during the various activities involved in the life of a Grhastha. Acharya teaches the knowledge involved for say how to observe the soil for tilling or predict the rains based on movement of the celestial bodies. The tattva or reasoning behind the actions may not be immediately understood by the disciple and it is here that sushrusha has to be remembered. There were many times when the secrets unraveled by the Acharyas are specifically given only to his students and thus the knowledge is transmitted to the future student generations of that rshi. In this way the theory and practical aspects of subjects such as Botany, Geology, Astronomy, Agricultural activities, Mathematics, Political Sciences etc were grasped by students under constant guidance as well as surveillance.  

This is most exemplified by the story of [[Uddalaka (उद्दालकः)|Uddalaka]], the faithful shishya of [[Dhaumya (धौम्यः)|Dhaumya]]. We learn that as a part of faithfully listening to his Acharya, Uddalaka lays himself down in the field to block the flow of water and wins the heart of his Acharya who blesses him with all the [[Vidya (विद्या)|Vidyas]] and fame.  

This is most exemplified by the '''story of [[Uddalaka (उद्दालकः)|Uddalaka]],''' the faithful shishya of [[Dhaumya (धौम्यः)|Dhaumya]]. We learn that as a part of faithfully listening to his Acharya, Uddalaka lays himself down in the field to block the flow of water and wins the heart of his Acharya who blesses him with all the [[Vidya (विद्या)|Vidyas]] and fame.  

The story of [[Nachiketa (नचिकेताः)|Nachiketa]] is exemplary of a student of higher learning. When Yama asked him to seek three boons, for his third boon, Nachiketa wanted to learn about death and what happens after it. After hearing Nachiketa's argument about the boon, Yama was immensely pleased with [[Nachiketa's Qualities (नचिकेतसः गुणाः)|his disciple's qualities]] and gave him the knowledge of Self ([[Brahmavidya (ब्रह्मविद्या)|Brahmavidya]] or Atmavidya).<ref name=":2" />  

The '''story of [[Nachiketa (नचिकेताः)|Nachiketa]]''' is exemplary of a student of higher learning. When Yama asked him to seek three boons, for his third boon, Nachiketa wanted to learn about death and what happens after it. After hearing Nachiketa's argument about the boon, Yama was immensely pleased with [[Nachiketa's Qualities (नचिकेतसः गुणाः)|his disciple's qualities]] and gave him the knowledge of Self ([[Brahmavidya (ब्रह्मविद्या)|Brahmavidya]] or Atmavidya).<ref name=":2" />  

 

Shabdakalpadhruma<ref name=":9" /> mentions further that<blockquote>शान्तो विनीतः शुद्धात्मा श्रद्धावान् धारणक्षमः ।समर्थश्च कुलीनश्च प्राज्ञः मच्चरितो व्रती । एवमादिगुणैर्युक्तः शिष्यो भवति नान्यथा ॥</blockquote>He is called a shishya, a disciple who is/possesses the following qualities

Shabdakalpadhruma<ref name=":9" /> mentions further that<blockquote>शान्तो विनीतः शुद्धात्मा श्रद्धावान् धारणक्षमः ।समर्थश्च कुलीनश्च प्राज्ञः मच्चरितो व्रती । एवमादिगुणैर्युक्तः शिष्यो भवति नान्यथा ॥</blockquote>He is called a shishya, a disciple who is/possesses the following qualities

* <span style="color:blue">'''शान्तः - tranquil'''

* <span style="color:blue">'''शान्तः - tranquil'''

* wear worn out clothes

* wear worn out clothes

A crow is said to have keen observation. That kind of cognizance is  an essential characteristic in a student interested in increasing his wisdom. A stork is popular for its undivided focus and concentration, a quality greatly required for a student for deeper understanding of many things in a short time. A dog is a light-sleeper; easily aroused at a slightest stir. This characteristic of high state of alertness in a student, towards learning, increase the sources of knowledge. It is well known that intake of too much food makes a person drowsy and dull. Hence a student is advised to consume food in small portions without indulging in pleasing his palate. Wearing worn out clothes or being very sober about his looks is prescribed for a student to avoid and control unwanted distractions and diversions commonly present in his/her age.

A crow is said to have keen observation. That kind of cognizance is  an essential characteristic in a student interested in increasing his wisdom. A stork is popular for its undivided focus and concentration, a quality greatly required for a student for deeper understanding of many things in a short time. A dog is a light-sleeper; easily aroused at a slightest stir. This characteristic of high state of alertness in a student, towards learning, increase the sources of knowledge. It is well known that intake of too much food makes a person drowsy and dull. Hence a student is advised to consume food in small portions without indulging in pleasing his palate. Wearing worn out clothes or being very sober about his looks is prescribed for a student to avoid and control unwanted distractions and diversions commonly present in his/her age.<blockquote>आचारे शासयेद्यस्तु स आचार्य्य उदाहृत । यस्त्वाचार्य्यपराधीनस्तद्वाक्यं शास्यते हृदि । शामने स्थिरवृत्तिश्च शिष्यः सद्भिरुदाहृतः ॥ एवं लक्षणसंयुक्तं शिष्यं सर्व्वगुणान्वितम् ।</blockquote>An Acharya, as given in Shabdakalpadhruma<ref name=":9" />, is one who follows sadachara and disciplines the vidyarthis to follow the same. One who closely follows the sadachara that the Acharya instructs and bears the Acharya's words in heart; one who is steadfast and calm with unwavering focus is called as Shishya by our elders. Such a shishya having the above lakshanas is said to have all the gunas (Sarvagunanvita).<ref name=":9" />

An Acharya says Shabdakalpadhruma<ref name=":9" />, is one who follows sadachara and disciplines the vidyarthis to follow the same. One who closely follows the sadachara that the Acharya instructs and he bears the Acharya's words in heart; one who is steadfast and calm with unwavering focus is called as Shishya by our elders. Such a shishya having the above lakshanas is said to have all the gunas (Sarvagunanvita).<ref name=":9" /><blockquote>आचारे शासयेद्यस्तु स आचार्य्य उदाहृत । यस्त्वाचार्य्यपराधीनस्तद्वाक्यं शास्यते हृदि । शामने स्थिरवृत्तिश्च शिष्यः सद्भिरुदाहृतः ॥ एवं लक्षणसंयुक्तं शिष्यं सर्व्वगुणान्वितम् ।</blockquote>Additionally, sushrusha to the Guru is one of the paths mentioned for the attainment of [[Nihshreyasa (निःश्रेयसम्)|Nihshreyasa]] Moksha in Manusmriti. <blockquote>वेदाभ्यासस्तपो ज्ञानं इन्द्रियाणां च संयमः । अहिंसा गुरुसेवा च निःश्रेयसकरं परम् । । १२.८३ । ।(Manu. Smrti. 12.83)<ref name=":1">Manusmrti ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 12])</ref></blockquote>Abhyasa of the Vedas (practice), tapas (penance), Jnana (knowledge of the Self), controlling the indriyas, ahimsa (non-violence) and guruseva (service to the Guru) are the highest paths of Nihshreyasa.

Additionally, sushrusha to the Guru is one of the paths mentioned for the attainment of [[Nihshreyasa (निःश्रेयसम्)|Nihshreyasa]] Moksha in Manusmriti. <blockquote>वेदाभ्यासस्तपो ज्ञानं इन्द्रियाणां च संयमः । अहिंसा गुरुसेवा च निःश्रेयसकरं परम् । । १२.८३ । ।(Manu. Smrti. 12.83)<ref name=":1">Manusmrti ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 12])</ref></blockquote>Abhyasa of the Vedas (practice), tapas (penance), Jnana (knowledge of the Self), controlling the indriyas, ahimsa (non-violence) and guruseva (service to the Guru) are the highest paths of Nihshreyasa.

== निषिद्धशिष्यलक्षणानि ॥ Prohibited Shishya Lakshanas ==

== निषिद्धशिष्यलक्षणानि ॥ Prohibited Shishya Lakshanas ==

: मुरुता शिष्यता वापि तयोर्वत्सरवासतः ॥

: मुरुता शिष्यता वापि तयोर्वत्सरवासतः ॥

A paapi (sinner), one who is pitiless or remorseless, one who is bad by nature and cunning, miserly person, a poor, one who is not performing sadachara, one who does not like mantras, who accuses others, a stubborn person, who hates the teerthas, who is without any bhakti towards deities, and is dirty should not be given studentship or allowed to stay for a year (at the Gurukula).  

A paapi (sinner), one who is pitiless or remorseless, one who is bad by nature and cunning, miserly person, a poor, one who is not performing sadachara, one who does not like to utter mantras, who accuses others, is a stubborn person, who hates visiting teerthas, who is without any bhakti towards deities, and is dirty should not be given studentship or allowed to stay for a year (at the Gurukula).  

Chanakya further adds eight more qualities that should be avoided by students at all costs.<ref>https://sanskritpearls.blogspot.com/search?q=student</ref> <blockquote>कामं क्रोधं तथा लोभं स्वादं शृङ्गारकौतुके । अतिनिद्राऽतिसेवा च विद्यार्थी ह्यष्टवर्जयेत् ॥ (Chan. Niti. 11.10) </blockquote>A student should shun eight things - desire; anger; avarice; taste; eroticism; vehemence; too much sleep; and overly tending.  

Chanakya further adds eight more qualities that should be avoided by students at all costs.<ref name=":7">https://sanskritpearls.blogspot.com/search?q=student</ref> <blockquote>कामं क्रोधं तथा लोभं स्वादं शृङ्गारकौतुके । अतिनिद्राऽतिसेवा च विद्यार्थी ह्यष्टवर्जयेत् ॥ (Chan. Niti. 11.10) </blockquote>A student should shun eight things - desire; anger; avarice; taste; eroticism; vehemence; too much sleep; and overly tending.<ref name=":7" />

# Desire: deviates the goal and takes all the energy in the fulfilment of that desire.

# Desire: deviates the goal and takes all the energy in the fulfilment of that desire.

# Vehemence: learning takes a lot of patience and thinking. Getting emotional and impatient is nowhere coherent with learning.

# Vehemence: learning takes a lot of patience and thinking. Getting emotional and impatient is nowhere coherent with learning.

# Oversleep: rest is required but in proper proportions. Sleeping too much mars alertness and paves way for laziness. Losing precious time that could be utilized in learning is a whole other issue.

# Oversleep: rest is required but in proper proportions. Sleeping too much mars alertness and paves way for laziness. Losing precious time that could be utilized in learning is a whole other issue.

# Overly tending: tending to elders and teachers is very much professed. But being overly subservient dispels one's ability to think on his own. One of the requirements for learning is inquisitiveness. A totally subservient learner takes every word for granted and does not promote independent thinking.

# Overly tending: tending to elders and teachers is very much professed. But being overly subservient dispels one's ability to think on his own. One of the requirements for learning is inquisitiveness. A totally subservient learner takes every word for granted and does not promote independent thinking.<ref name=":7" />

== Rules applicable while studying ==

== Rules applicable while studying ==

# Reading with a tone so low that even the person sitting in front has to perk up his ears causes disinterest in the listener.<ref name=":5" />

# Reading with a tone so low that even the person sitting in front has to perk up his ears causes disinterest in the listener.<ref name=":5" />

== Development of Character ==

== Factors involved in development of Character ==

====Importance of Habits====

====Importance of Habits====

Imitation and copying a good student was promoted and it helped in bringing up a student of lesser intellect. Many subhashitas declare that association with good people elevates a person while bad association only brings his downfall. One should be very careful in choosing one's company.<ref name=":0" />

Imitation and copying a good student was promoted and it helped in bringing up a student of lesser intellect. Many subhashitas declare that association with good people elevates a person while bad association only brings his downfall. One should be very careful in choosing one's company.<ref name=":0" />

== References ==

== References ==

<references />

<references />

[[Category:Education Series]]

[[Category:Education Series]]