Changes

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" />

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" />

=== Admission, Syllabus and Examinations ===

=== Admission, Syllabus and Examinations ===

In vedic times, a student was to directly enter a Gurukula after initiation by [[Upanayana (उपनयनम्)|Upanayana]], without having to write any entrance test nor does the Guru interview of the child. Admission of the child was a hassle free process, only the parents of the child chose the Guru under guidance they wanted the child. Prachina shikshana vidhana was not focused on examinations, diplomas and migration or transfer certificates. However, higher education required a testing procedure to prove that the candidate was fit for it. Tests were mostly verbal in nature and required the recitation of Vedas or subject matter from memory. The class size was not too large as the aim was to give personal attention to students. Paper and books, as well as tubelights and continuous lighting facilities were absent so homework or reading after hours was practically impossible. All the work has to be done under the guidance of the teacher or class monitor who was incharge of the younger students.  

In vedic times, a student was to directly enter a Gurukula after initiation by [[Upanayana (उपनयनम्)|Upanayana]], without having to write any entrance test nor does the Guru interview of the child. Admission of the child was a hassle free process, no boards of studies only the parents of the child chose the Guru under guidance they wanted the child. Prachina shikshana vidhana was not focused on examinations, diplomas and migration or transfer certificates. Ancients regarded knowledge as unlimited and no period that one could spend for its acquisition was regarded adequate to complete mastering a Veda, thus Vedas were अनन्ताः । Ananta or endless.

 

However, higher education required a testing procedure to prove that the candidate was fit for it. Tests were mostly verbal in nature and required the recitation of Vedas or subject matter from memory. The class size was not too large as the aim was to give personal attention to students. Paper and books, as well as tubelights and continuous lighting facilities were absent so homework or reading after hours was practically impossible. All the work has to be done under the guidance of the teacher or class monitor who was incharge of the younger students.  

Chaturdasha Vidyastanas which included the Vedas and their Vedangas were the chief subjects and constituted the study syllabus during the earliest times. Specialized Para Vidya including [[Brahmavidya (ब्रह्मविद्या)|Brahmavidya]], [[Panchagnividya (पञ्चाग्निविद्या)|Panchagni vidya]] etc of the olden days gradually got absorbed into Vedanta system, a broader heading covering all such specialized topics was a higher level course and required years of sadhana. Gradually as studying vedas required more understanding, the study of [[Shad Vedangas (षड्वेदाङ्गानि)|Shad Vedangas]] became important. It is to be noted that the subjects explaining the Vedas themselves gained more significance and subsequently were studied independent of the Vedas themselves.  

Chaturdasha Vidyastanas which included the Vedas and their Vedangas were the chief subjects and constituted the study syllabus during the earliest times. Specialized Para Vidya including [[Brahmavidya (ब्रह्मविद्या)|Brahmavidya]], [[Panchagnividya (पञ्चाग्निविद्या)|Panchagni vidya]] etc of the olden days gradually got absorbed into Vedanta system, a broader heading covering all such specialized topics was a higher level course and required years of sadhana. Gradually as studying vedas required more understanding, the study of [[Shad Vedangas (षड्वेदाङ्गानि)|Shad Vedangas]] became important. It is to be noted that the subjects explaining the Vedas themselves gained more significance and subsequently were studied independent of the Vedas themselves.  

# At sunset offering of evening Sandhyavandana and samidadhana.

# At sunset offering of evening Sandhyavandana and samidadhana.

# Dinner and retiring for the day.

# Dinner and retiring for the day.

Holidays from studies include the [[Anadhyayana (अनध्ययनम्)|Anadhyayana]] days.

 

=== अनध्ययनम् ॥ Anadhyayana or Holidays ===

A systematic list of holidays from studies goes back to very early times and include generally the [[Anadhyayana (अनध्ययनम्)|Anadhyayana]] days of the month which were 6 days in a month - the two astami (eight day) and Chaturdashi (fourteenth day) tithis of the fortnight, the amavasya (new moon day) and purnima (full moon day) days (Manu Smrt. 4.113 and 114). <blockquote>पौर्णमस्य्-अष्टका-अमावास्या-अग्न्युत्पात-भूमिकम्प-श्मशान-देशपति-श्रो त्रिय-एकतीर्थ-प्रयाणेष्व् अहोरात्रम् अनध्यायः ॥ (Baud. Dhar. Sutr. 1.11)<ref>[https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%BF/%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%A8-%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%BF Baudhyayana Dharmasutras]</ref></blockquote>Apart from these at times of robbery in a village, cattle lifting, natural calamities, during thunders and rainstorms, death of the Raja or a Brahmana of the village, arrival of guests and during village celebrations, vedic study is paused. Gradually in due course of time the number of holidays reduced due to the curriculum getting heavier. While abnormal weather conditions prevented loud recitation, silent reading of non-Vedic subjects was allowed. While Vedic study had to be paused, non-Vaidika subjects could be studied on Anadhyayana days.<ref name=":0" />

=== गुरुदक्षिणा ॥ Guru Dakshina ===

=== गुरुदक्षिणा ॥ Guru Dakshina ===