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[[Vidya (विद्या)]] regarded as general education in common parlance, is the source of that Jnana which leads its recipients to successfully overcome difficulties and problems of life and in the Vedanta terms it is that knowledge which leads one on the path of Moksha. It was therefore insisted to be thorough, efficient with the goal of training experts in different branches. Since printing and paper were unknown, libraries and books did not exist, training essentially focused on developing memory that would stand good stead throughout the student's life.<ref name=":0">Altekar, A. S. (1944) ''Education in Ancient India.'' Benares : Nand Kishore and Bros.,</ref>

[[Vidya (विद्या)]] regarded as general education in common parlance, is the source of that Jnana which leads its recipients to successfully overcome difficulties and problems of life and in the Vedanta terms it is that knowledge which leads one on the path of Moksha. It was therefore insisted to be thorough, efficient with the goal of training experts in different branches. Since printing and paper were unknown, libraries and books did not exist, training essentially focused on developing memory that would stand good stead throughout the student's life.<ref name=":0">Altekar, A. S. (1944) ''Education in Ancient India.'' Benares : Nand Kishore and Bros.,</ref>

== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

The Gurukula system which necessitated the stay of the student away from his home at the house of a teacher or in a boarding house of an established institution, was one of the most important features of Bharatiya Shikshana vidhana. Sharira (Body), Manas (mind), Buddhi (intellect) and Atma (spirit) constitute a human being; the aims and ideals of Prachina Bharatiya Vidya Vidhana or Ancient Indian Education system were to promote their simultaneous and harmonious development.<ref name=":0" /> In this article we discuss the Gurukula set up, the aims of such educational system, the persons involved, and the syllabus taught under their guidance.

The Gurukula system which necessitated the stay of the student away from his home at the house of a teacher or in a boarding house of an established institution, was one of the most important features of Bharatiya Shikshana vidhana. Sharira (शरीरम् । Body), Manas (मनः । mind), Buddhi (बुद्धिः । intellect) and Atma (आत्मा । spirit) constitute a human being; the aims and ideals of Prachina Bharatiya Vidya Vidhana or Ancient Indian Education system were to promote their simultaneous and harmonious development.<ref name=":0" /> In this article we discuss the Gurukula set up, the aims of such educational system, the persons involved, and the syllabus taught under their guidance.

== Gurukula System ==

== गुरुकुलव्यवस्था ॥ Gurukula System ==

Smrtis recommend that the student should begin to live under the supervision of his teacher after his [[Upanayana (उपनयनम्)|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" />

Smrtis recommend that the student should begin to live under the supervision of his teacher after his [[Upanayana (उपनयनम्)|Upanayana]]. Etymologically Antevasin (अन्तेवासिः) is the word for the student, denotes one who stays near his teacher. Samavartana (समावर्तनम्), 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 system of education.<ref name=":0" />

=== Location of a Gurukula ===

=== Location of a Gurukula ===

* Outside but close to a village  

* Outside but close to a village  

* Centers of learning and education (Ujjaini, Varanasi, Kanchi, Thanjavur)

* Centers of learning and education (Ujjaini, Varanasi, Kanchi, Thanjavur)

* Agraharas, Gatikas and Tols (villages consisting only of Brahmana scholars)

* Agraharas (अग्रहारम्), Gatikas (घटिका) and Tols (तोलः) are villages consisting only of Brahmana scholars.

=== Guru or Preceptor ===

=== गुरुः ॥ Guru or Preceptor ===

Gurukulas were headed by learned Gurus or teachers who were also householders. Their held an esteemed position in the society and Atharvaveda clearly extols the greatness of the mother, the father and the Guru. 11.5.3<blockquote>गृणाति उपदिशति तात्त्विकमर्थम् इति गुरुः -- शिवसूत्रविमर्शिनी</blockquote>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" />

Gurukulas were headed by learned Gurus or teachers (आचार्याः) who were also householders. Their held an esteemed position in the society and Atharvaveda clearly extols the greatness of the mother, the father and the Guru. 11.5.3<blockquote>गृणाति उपदिशति तात्त्विकमर्थम् इति गुरुः -- शिवसूत्रविमर्शिनी</blockquote>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.