Changes

The student life begins with the Upanayana ceremony that is known as 'second birth'.<ref name=":6" /> A child roughly about the age of 5 or 6 years is initiated into Brahmacharyashrama by performing the Upanayana samskara. Early history points to the evidence of this important samskara being in vogue from the vedic ages. Such a child who has undergone the Upanayana samskara is called a Brahmachari.

The student life begins with the Upanayana ceremony that is known as 'second birth'.<ref name=":6" /> A child roughly about the age of 5 or 6 years is initiated into Brahmacharyashrama by performing the Upanayana samskara. Early history points to the evidence of this important samskara being in vogue from the vedic ages. Such a child who has undergone the Upanayana samskara is called a Brahmachari.

Manu broadly defines a Brahmachari as follows:<ref name=":12">Pt. Girija Prasad Dvivedi (1917), [https://archive.org/details/ManuSmritHindi-GpDwivedi/page/n192/mode/2up The Manusmriti or Manavadharmashastra], Lucknow: Newul Kishore Press.</ref><blockquote>यद्यस्य विहितं चर्म यत् सूत्रं या च मेखला । यो दण्डो यच्च वसनं तत्तदस्य व्रतेष्वपि ॥२.१७४॥  

Manu broadly defines a Brahmachari as follows:<ref name=":12">Pt. Girija Prasad Dvivedi (1917), The Manusmriti or Manavadharmashastra ([https://archive.org/details/ManuSmritHindi-GpDwivedi/page/n192/mode/2up Adhyaya 2]), Lucknow: Newul Kishore Press.</ref><blockquote>यद्यस्य विहितं चर्म यत् सूत्रं या च मेखला । यो दण्डो यच्च वसनं तत्तदस्य व्रतेष्वपि ॥२.१७४॥  

सेवेतेमांस्तु नियमान् ब्रह्मचारी गुरौ वसन् । सन्नियम्येन्द्रियग्रामं तपोवृद्ध्यर्थमात्मनः ॥२.१७५॥<ref name=":1" />

सेवेतेमांस्तु नियमान् ब्रह्मचारी गुरौ वसन् । सन्नियम्येन्द्रियग्रामं तपोवृद्ध्यर्थमात्मनः ॥२.१७५॥<ref name=":1" />

svapne siktvā brahmacārī dvijaḥ śukraṁ akāmataḥ । snātvārkaṁ arcayitvā triḥ punarmāṁ ityr̥caṁ japet । । 2.181 । । </blockquote>

svapne siktvā brahmacārī dvijaḥ śukraṁ akāmataḥ । snātvārkaṁ arcayitvā triḥ punarmāṁ ityr̥caṁ japet । । 2.181 । । </blockquote>

== ब्रह्मचर्यकालः ॥ Period of Studentship ==

== ब्रह्मचर्यकालः ॥ Period of Studentship ==

The period of studentship begins with the Upanaya Samskara and continues until the student, completing in due order, the study of the three Vedas, or two, or one, without transgressing the vow of brahmacharya, enters the grhasthashrama.<ref name=":12" /><blockquote>वेदानधीत्य वेदौ वा वेदं वापि यथाक्रमम् । अविप्लुतब्रह्मचर्यो गृहस्थाश्रमं आवसेत् । । ३.२ । ।<ref name=":2" />

The period of studentship begins with the Upanaya Samskara and continues until the student, completing in due order, the study of the three Vedas, or two, or one, without transgressing the vow of brahmacharya, enters the grhasthashrama.<ref name=":14">Pt. Girija Prasad Dvivedi (1917), The Manusmriti or Manavadharmashastra ([https://archive.org/details/ManuSmritHindi-GpDwivedi/page/n205/mode/2up?view=theater Adhyaya 3]), Lucknow: Newul Kishore Press.</ref><blockquote>वेदानधीत्य वेदौ वा वेदं वापि यथाक्रमम् । अविप्लुतब्रह्मचर्यो गृहस्थाश्रमं आवसेत् । । ३.२ । ।<ref name=":2">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%A4%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 3]</ref>vedānadhītya vedau vā vedaṁ vāpi yathākramam । aviplutabrahmacaryo gr̥hasthāśramaṁ āvaset । । 3.2 । ।</blockquote>According to Manusmrti (2.36 and 2.38)<ref name=":1" /> and Yajnavalkya Smrti (1.14 and 1.37),<ref name=":9" /> the Upanayana Samskara should be performed in the 8th year of conception or birth for brahmanas, 11th year for the kshatriyas and 12th year for the Vaishyas or according to one's family custom. And the maximum age to perform the Upanaya for brahmanas, kshatriyas and Vaishyas are 16, 22 and 24 years respectively.<ref name=":12" /><ref name=":8" /> The Manusmrti also adds that the Upanayana of brahmanas desirous of attaining brahmavarchas, the splendour of which is beyond the study of Vedas and its meaning, should be performed in the 5th year, of kshatriyas desirous of strength in the 6th year and of Vaishyas desirous of prosperity in the 8th year.<ref name=":12" /><blockquote>ब्रह्मवर्चसकामस्य कार्यो विप्रस्य पञ्चमे । राज्ञो बलार्थिनः षष्ठे वैश्यस्येहार्थिनोऽष्टमे । । २.३७ । ।<ref name=":1" /> brahmavarcasakāmasya kāryo viprasya pañcame । rājño balārthinaḥ ṣaṣṭhe vaiśyasyehārthino'ṣṭame । । 2.37 । ।</blockquote>As for the term of Vedadhyayana, the Yajnavalkya Smrti says,<blockquote>प्रतिवेदं ब्रह्मचर्यं द्वादशाब्दानि पञ्च वा । ग्रहणान्तिकं इत्येके केशान्तश्चैव षोडशे । । १.३६ । ।<ref name=":9" /> prativedaṁ brahmacaryaṁ dvādaśābdāni pañca vā । grahaṇāntikaṁ ityeke keśāntaścaiva ṣoḍaśe । । 1.36 । ।</blockquote>Meaning: For each Veda, the brahmacharya should be 12 years or 5, some say it should be till they are completely acquired and the shaving of the hair should take place in the 16th year.

 

vedānadhītya vedau vā vedaṁ vāpi yathākramam । aviplutabrahmacaryo gr̥hasthāśramaṁ āvaset । । 3.2 । ।</blockquote>According to Manusmrti (2.36 and 2.38)<ref name=":1" /> and Yajnavalkya Smrti (1.14 and 1.37),<ref name=":9" /> the Upanayana Samskara should be performed in the 8th year of conception or birth for brahmanas, 11th year for the kshatriyas and 12th year for the Vaishyas or according to one's family custom. And the maximum age to perform the Upanaya for brahmanas, kshatriyas and Vaishyas are 16, 22 and 24 years respectively.<ref name=":12" /><ref name=":8" />

 

The Manusmrti also adds that the Upanayana of brahmanas desirous of attaining brahmavarchas, the splendour of which is beyond the study of Vedas and its meaning, should be performed in the 5th year, of kshatriyas desirous of strength in the 6th year and of Vaishyas desirous of prosperity in the 8th year.<ref name=":12" /><blockquote>ब्रह्मवर्चसकामस्य कार्यो विप्रस्य पञ्चमे । राज्ञो बलार्थिनः षष्ठे वैश्यस्येहार्थिनोऽष्टमे । । २.३७ । ।<ref name=":1" />

 

brahmavarcasakāmasya kāryo viprasya pañcame । rājño balārthinaḥ ṣaṣṭhe vaiśyasyehārthino'ṣṭame । । 2.37 । ।</blockquote>As for the term of Vedadhyaya, the Yajnavalkya Smrti says,<blockquote>प्रतिवेदं ब्रह्मचर्यं द्वादशाब्दानि पञ्च वा । ग्रहणान्तिकं इत्येके केशान्तश्चैव षोडशे । । १.३६ । ।<ref name=":9" />

 

prativedaṁ brahmacaryaṁ dvādaśābdāni pañca vā । grahaṇāntikaṁ ityeke keśāntaścaiva ṣoḍaśe । । 1.36 । ।</blockquote>Meaning: For each Veda, the brahmacharya should be 12 years or 5. Some say it should be till they are completely acquired. The shaving of the hair should take place in the 16th year.

The commentary Mitakshara clarifies that when marriage is not possible (due to poverty, etc) then for each Veda separately, the above mentioned brahmacharya must be performed for 12 yrs. In case of inability 5 years for each Veda is stated.

The commentary Mitakshara clarifies that when marriage is not possible (due to poverty, etc) then for each Veda separately, the above mentioned brahmacharya must be performed for 12 yrs. In case of inability 5 years for each Veda is stated.

This very much corelates with the Manusmrti quote that, the vow of studying the 3 Vedas under a teacher must be kept for 36 years, or for half that time (18years), or for a quarter (9 years), or until the student has perfectly learnt them.<ref name=":8" /><blockquote>षट्त्रिंशदाब्दिकं चर्यं गुरौ त्रैवेदिकं व्रतम् । तदर्धिकं पादिकं वा ग्रहणान्तिकं एव वा । । ३.१ । ।<ref name=":2" />

This very much corelates with the Manusmrti quote that the vow of studying the 3 Vedas under a teacher must be kept for 36 years, or for half that time (18 years), or for a quarter (9 years), or until the student has perfectly learnt them.<ref name=":8" /><blockquote>षट्त्रिंशदाब्दिकं चर्यं गुरौ त्रैवेदिकं व्रतम् । तदर्धिकं पादिकं वा ग्रहणान्तिकं एव वा । । ३.१ । ।<ref name=":2" /> ṣaṭtriṁśadābdikaṁ caryaṁ gurau traivedikaṁ vratam । tadardhikaṁ pādikaṁ vā grahaṇāntikaṁ eva vā । । 3.1 । ।</blockquote>

 

ṣaṭtriṁśadābdikaṁ caryaṁ gurau traivedikaṁ vratam । tadardhikaṁ pādikaṁ vā grahaṇāntikaṁ eva vā । । 3.1 । ।</blockquote>

== समावर्तनं गुरुदक्षिणा च ॥ Samavartana and Gurudakshina ==

== समावर्तनं गुरुदक्षिणा च ॥ Samavartana and Gurudakshina ==

According to Manusmrti, the vow of studying the three Vedas under a teacher must be kept for thirty-six years, or for half that time, or for a quarter, or until the (student) has perfectly learnt them. It says, a student who has studied in due order the three Vedas, or two, or even one only, without breaking the rules of studentship, shall enter the order of householders. (Manu 3.1 and 2)<ref name=":2">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%A4%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 3]</ref>  

The initiation of a brahmachari into the Grhasthashrama happens when the student, having bathed, with the permission of his teacher, performs, according to the rule, the Samvartana. Samavartana is the rite to be performed at the completion of one's education just before returning home from the preceptor's house. It is said that a brahmachari who has thus become a scholar of Vedas is offered a seat, garland of flowers and is greeted with the 'madhuparka' ritual by the father or guru.<ref name=":14" /><blockquote>तं प्रतीतं स्वधर्मेण ब्रह्मदायहरं पितुः । स्रग्विणं तल्प आसीनं अर्हयेत्प्रथमं गवा । । ३.३ । ।<ref name=":2" /> taṁ pratītaṁ svadharmeṇa brahmadāyaharaṁ pituḥ । sragviṇaṁ talpa āsīnaṁ arhayetprathamaṁ gavā । । 3.3 । ।</blockquote>The student also, at the end of his studentship, offers a present to his preceptor according to his ability, known as Gurudakshina, before returning home to enter the householder's life.<ref name=":6" /> The concept of Gurudakshina is highly respected in Bharata's Gurukula tradition. According to Manusmrti, a brahmachari who knows Dharma should not favour his teacher with offerings before learning. However, after Samavartana, he may please his guru with the offerings of field, gold, cow, horse, umbrella, sandals, seat, food, vegetables and clothes as per his ability.<ref name=":12" /><blockquote>न पूर्वं गुरवे किं चिदुपकुर्वीत धर्मवित् । स्नास्यंस्तु गुरुणाज्ञप्तः शक्त्या गुर्वर्थं आहरेत् । । २.२४५ । ।

The initiation to the Grhasthashrama happens after the student having bathed, with the permission of his teacher, performs, according to the rule, the Samvartana. Samavartana is the rite to be performed at the completion of one's education just before returning home from the preceptor's house. It is said, a person who is thus, famous for the strict performance of his duties and has received his heritage, the Veda, from his father, shall be honoured, sitting on a couch and adorned with a garland, with the present of a cow and the honey-mixture.<ref>The Laws of Manu, Translated by G.Buhler, [http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/manu/manu03.htm Chapter 3]</ref><blockquote>तं प्रतीतं स्वधर्मेण ब्रह्मदायहरं पितुः । स्रग्विणं तल्प आसीनं अर्हयेत्प्रथमं गवा । । ३.३ । ।<ref name=":2" />

क्षेत्रं हिरण्यं गां अश्वं छत्रोपानहं आसनम् । धान्यं शाकं च वासांसि गुरवे प्रीतिं आवहेत् । । २.२४६ । ।<ref name=":1" />

taṁ pratītaṁ svadharmeṇa brahmadāyaharaṁ pituḥ । sragviṇaṁ talpa āsīnaṁ arhayetprathamaṁ gavā । । 3.3 । ।</blockquote>Also, at the end of his student career, a student gives a present to his preceptor according to his ability before returning home to enter the household life.<ref name=":6" /> The concept of Gurudakshina is highly respected in the Bharat's Gurukula tradition. Manusmrti says, with the permission of his teacher,  when he is about to take the final bath (the ritualistic bath for samavartana signifying completion of studies), he is advised to procure a present for the venerable man (his guru) according to his ability, which may be a field, gold, a cow, a horse, a parasol and shoes, a seat, grain, or even vegetables, and thus give pleasure to his teacher. (Manu 2.245 and 246)<ref name=":1" />

na pūrvaṁ gurave kiṁ cidupakurvīta dharmavit । snāsyaṁstu guruṇājñaptaḥ śaktyā gurvarthaṁ āharet । । 2.245 । ।

According to the Bhagavata Purana, after having presented, if at all he can afford to do so, with what is desired by his preceptor (as gurudakshina) and having obtained his permission, he (the student) should  

kṣetraṁ hiraṇyaṁ gāṁ aśvaṁ chatropānahaṁ āsanam । dhānyaṁ śākaṁ ca vāsāṁsi gurave prītiṁ āvahet । । 2.246 । ।</blockquote>And after having presented, if at all one can afford to do so, what is desired by the preceptor as gurudakshina and having obtained his permission, the Bhagavata Purana says that the student should either

# enter the householder's life or

# enter the householder's life or

# retire to the forest (for performing penance, etc.) or

# retire to the forest (for performing penance, etc.) or

# renounce the world to wander as a Yati (recluse) or

# renounce the world to wander as a Yati (recluse) or

# stay with his preceptor (as a lifelong brahmachari)<ref name=":5" />

# stay with his preceptor (as a lifelong brahmachari)<ref name=":5" />

<blockquote>दत्त्वा वरमनुज्ञातो गुरोः कामं यदीश्वरः । गृहं वनं वा प्रविशेत्प्रव्रजेत्तत्र वा वसेत् ॥ १४॥<ref name=":4" />

<blockquote>दत्त्वा वरमनुज्ञातो गुरोः कामं यदीश्वरः । गृहं वनं वा प्रविशेत्प्रव्रजेत्तत्र वा वसेत् ॥ १४॥<ref name=":4" /> ''dattvā varamanujñāto guroḥ kāmaṁ yadīśvaraḥ । gr̥haṁ vanaṁ vā praviśetpravrajettatra vā vaset ॥ 14॥''</blockquote>And the guru also gives his final instructions to the students through a convocation address at the conclusion of their studentship before sending them home. One such address as recorded in the Taittiriya Upanishad is summarised as follows: <blockquote>“''Speak the truth. Do your duty. Never swerve from the study of the Veda. Do not cut off the line of progeny (after giving the preceptor the fee he desires). Never swerve away from truth. Never swerve from duty. Never neglect your welfare. Never neglect your prosperity. Never neglect the study and the teaching of the Vedas.''

 

''dattvā varamanujñāto guroḥ kāmaṁ yadīśvaraḥ । gr̥haṁ vanaṁ vā praviśetpravrajettatra vā vaset ॥ 14॥''</blockquote>While, the guru also gives his the final instructions to the student through a convocation address at the conclusion of their studentship before sending him home. One such address as recorded in the Taittiriya Upanishad is summarised as follows: <blockquote>“''Speak the truth. Do your duty. Never swerve from the study of the Veda. Do not cut off the line of progeny (after giving the preceptor the fee he desires). Never swerve away from truth. Never swerve from duty. Never neglect your welfare. Never neglect your prosperity. Never neglect the study and the teaching of the Vedas.''</blockquote><blockquote>''Never swerve from the duties to the deities and the forefathers. Regard your mother as a deity. (Matrdevo Bhava). Regard your father as a deity (Pitrdevo Bhava). Regard your teacher as a deity (Acharyadevo Bhava). Regard your guest as deity (Atithidevo Bhava). Let only those actions that are free from blemishes be done and not others. Only those that are good acts to us should be performed by you and not others.''</blockquote><blockquote>''You should remove the fatigue of Brahmanas who are superior to you by serving them with seats, etc. Gift should be given with faith, in plenty, with modesty and sympathy. If there be any doubt regarding rites or conduct, then look up to the lives of great men and follow their examples. This is the injunction. This is the teaching. This is the secret of the Vedas. This is the Supreme’s word of command. This should be observed. Thus is this to be meditated upon.''”<ref name=":6" /></blockquote>Thus, as the Agni Purana says, (He) should learn the scripture (from the preceptor), pay fees to the preceptor and perform the bathing (ceremony

marking the completion of one’s study).<ref name=":10" />

''Never swerve from the duties to the deities and the forefathers. Regard your mother as a deity. (Matrdevo Bhava). Regard your father as a deity (Pitrdevo Bhava). Regard your teacher as a deity (Acharyadevo Bhava). Regard your guest as deity (Atithidevo Bhava). Let only those actions that are free from blemishes be done and not others. Only those that are good acts to us should be performed by you and not others.''

वेदस्वीकरणं कृत्वा स्रायाद्वै दत्तदक्षिणः । नैष्ठिको ब्रह्मचारी वा देहान्तं निवसेद्गुरौ ॥१५३.१७<ref name=":11" />

''You should remove the fatigue of Brahmanas who are superior to you by serving them with seats, etc. Gift should be given with faith, in plenty, with modesty and sympathy. If there be any doubt regarding rites or conduct, then look up to the lives of great men and follow their examples. This is the injunction. This is the teaching. This is the secret of the Vedas. This is the Supreme’s word of command. This should be observed. Thus is this to be meditated upon.''”<ref name=":6" /></blockquote>Summarising the cycle of the brahmacharyashrama, the Agni Purana says,<blockquote>वेदस्वीकरणं कृत्वा स्रायाद्वै दत्तदक्षिणः । नैष्ठिको ब्रह्मचारी वा देहान्तं निवसेद्गुरौ ॥१५३.१७<ref name=":11" />  

However, the naisfika brahmachari (one who has taken a vow of life-long abstinence) should remain with the preceptor till his (own) death.<ref name=":10" />

vedasvīkaraṇaṁ kr̥tvā srāyādvai dattadakṣiṇaḥ । naiṣṭhiko brahmacārī vā dehāntaṁ nivasedgurau ॥153.17</blockquote>Meaning: A brahmachari should learn the scripture from the preceptor, offer dakshina to the preceptor and perform Samavartana (the bathing ceremony marking the completion of one’s study). However, the naishthika brahmachari ie. one who has taken a vow of life-long abstinence should remain with the preceptor till his own death.<ref name=":10" />

== नैष्ठिकब्रह्मचर्यम् || Naishthika Brahmacharya  ==

== नैष्ठिकब्रह्मचर्यम् || Naishthika Brahmacharya  ==