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Initiation into [[Vidya (विद्या)|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>

Initiation into [[Vidya (विद्या)|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 ==

== परिचयः ॥ 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" />

== Significance of Educational Samskaras ==

== Significance of Educational Samskaras ==

[[Garbhadhana (गर्भाधानम्)|Garbhadhana]] and other [[Pre-natal Samskaras (जन्मात्पूर्वसंस्काराः)|pre-natal samskaras]] focused on removing the problems associated with the veerya (seed or semen), the kshetra (womb),  and the developing foetus. The [[Jatakarma (जातकर्म)|Jatakarma]] and other [[Childhood Samskaras (बाल्यावस्थे संस्काराः)|childhood samskaras]] marked the developmental milestones of a child. It is evident that both these sections of samskaras dealt with the biological and physiological aspects of a human being. We did see the minor rite of Medhajanana during Jatakarma was to arouse the intellectual consciousness of the new-born; however the education samskaras were aimed at the intellectual and thereby the psychological development of a child not just physical strength alone. It is clear that upto 5 or 6 years of age the child's physical needs were a priority and from about 6 years the priority shifted to psychological and social development of a child. Many [[Vidyarthi's Qualities (विद्यातुराणां लक्षणानि)|qualities of a student]] which a student should have such as character, personality, moral values, ethics, social duties, discipline, mental strength, intellect etc., are developed in this stage of life between 7 to about 18 years of age.  

[[Garbhadhana (गर्भाधानम्)|Garbhadhana]] and other [[Pre-natal Samskaras (जन्मात्पूर्वसंस्काराः)|pre-natal samskaras]] focused on removing the problems associated with the veerya (seed or semen), the kshetra (womb),  and the developing foetus. The [[Jatakarma (जातकर्म)|Jatakarma]] and other [[Childhood Samskaras (बाल्यावस्थे संस्काराः)|childhood samskaras]] marked the developmental milestones of a child. It is evident that both the above mentioned sections of samskaras dealt with the biological and physiological aspects of a human being. We did see the minor rite of Medhajanana during Jatakarma was to arouse the intellectual consciousness of the new-born; however the goal of education samskaras was purely aimed at the intellectual and thereby the psychological development of a child, not just physical strength alone. It is clear that upto 5 or 6 years of age the child's physical needs were a priority and from about 6 years the priority shifted to psychological and social development of a child. Many [[Vidyarthi's Qualities (विद्यातुराणां लक्षणानि)|qualities of a student]] such as character, personality, moral values, ethics, social duties, discipline, mental strength, intellect etc., are developed in this stage of life from seven years of age to early youth.  

[[Upanayana (उपनयनम्)|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. Upanayana marked the beginning of the first significant phase of life or the entry into the [[Brahmacharyashrama (ब्रह्मचर्याश्रमः)|Brahmacharyashrama]], the Vidyāraṁbha marked the entry into the system of education, to make him familiar with the basic of learning or education or even the language.<ref name=":5" />   

[[Upanayana (उपनयनम्)|Upanayana]] or the ceremony of initiation was though recognised as the most important education rite, education instead began little earlier with other less known rite called Vidyāraṁbha Saṁskāra. Upanayana marked the beginning of the first significant phase of life or the entry into the [[Brahmacharyashrama (ब्रह्मचर्याश्रमः)|Brahmacharyashrama]], the Vidyāraṁbha marked the entry into the system of education, to make him familiar with the basic of learning or education or even the language.<ref name=":5" />   

== References ==

== References ==

[[Category:Samskaras]]

[[Category:Samskaras]]