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Acharya (Samskrit : आचार्यः) is a preceptor of education. He is instrumental in imparting holistic education to the student. Unlike the teacher, professor or a lecturer etc in the present day, ancient preceptors were role models to their students. In this article we discuss various points pertaining to the teachers of the ancient days along with a comparison with present day teachers.  

Acharya (Samskrit : आचार्यः) is a preceptor of education. He is instrumental in imparting holistic education to the student. Unlike the teacher, professor or a lecturer etc in the present day, ancient preceptors were role models to their students. In this article we discuss various points pertaining to the teachers of the ancient days along with a comparison with the role present day teachers.  

===Qualifications of the Teacher===

==Qualifications of the Teacher==

Since the teacher was held in high reverence, he was naturally expected to possess several qualifications. He was to set an example to the student and so carefully regulated his own conduct. It appears that of the learned rshis, each was the center of a school himself and thus sprang forth various divisions of the Vedas, Smrtis and other branches of learning. All of them highly respected each other, the best example being the conquering of worldly senses and evolution from Rshi Vishvamitra to become Brahmarshi Vishvamitra. They adopted truths from each other and they were the walking books. They were the universities themselves and so Chakravartis and Maharajas did not interfere with them. They had thousands of pupils yet they led a simple life fully devoted to the pursuit of knowledge. Knowledge to them was a prized possession not to be exchanged for huge amounts of gold from the Rajas and Maharajas, best exemplified by the story of the [[Saptarshis (सप्तर्षयः)|Saptarshis]] and Raja Vrshadarbhi who insisted on giving dana to them which they refused at all costs.

Since the teacher was held in high reverence, he was naturally expected to possess several qualifications. He was to set an example to the student and so carefully regulated his own conduct. It appears that of the learned rshis, each was the center of a school himself and thus sprang forth various divisions of the Vedas, Smrtis and other branches of learning. All of them highly respected each other, the best example being the conquering of worldly senses and evolution from Rshi Vishvamitra to become Brahmarshi Vishvamitra. They adopted truths from each other and they were the walking books. They were the universities themselves and so Chakravartis and Maharajas did not interfere with them. They had thousands of pupils yet they led a simple life fully devoted to the pursuit of knowledge. Knowledge to them was a prized possession not to be exchanged for huge amounts of gold from the Rajas and Maharajas, best exemplified by the story of the [[Saptarshis (सप्तर्षयः)|Saptarshis]] and Raja Vrshadarbhi who insisted on giving dana to them which they refused at all costs.

In the following section we discuss the most common yet significant terms used in Sanatana Dharma regarding those who impart and seek knowledge. It is unfortunate that such sacred terms as the Guru are loosely used in society in the present days.

In the following section we discuss the most common yet significant terms used in Sanatana Dharma regarding those who impart and seek knowledge. It is unfortunate that such sacred terms as the Guru are loosely used in society in the present days.

===आचार्यः ॥ Acharya===

===आचार्यः ॥ Acharya===

An Acharya is one who follows what he preaches. A brief compilation of various definitions of Acharya from different texts are given below.

An Acharya is one who follows what he preaches. A brief compilation of various definitions of Acharya from different texts are given below.

:अल्पं वा बहु वा यस्य श्रुतस्योपकरोति यः । तमपीह गुरुं विद्याच्छ्रुतोपक्रियया तया ॥ २.१४९ (Manu. Smrti 2.149)<ref name=":1" />

:अल्पं वा बहु वा यस्य श्रुतस्योपकरोति यः । तमपीह गुरुं विद्याच्छ्रुतोपक्रियया तया ॥ २.१४९ (Manu. Smrti 2.149)<ref name=":1" />

:alpaṁ vā bahu vā yasya śrutasyopakaroti yaḥ । tamapīha guruṁ vidyācchrutopakriyayā tayā ॥ 2.149 (Manu. Smrti 2.149)

:alpaṁ vā bahu vā yasya śrutasyopakaroti yaḥ । tamapīha guruṁ vidyācchrutopakriyayā tayā ॥ 2.149 (Manu. Smrti 2.149)

The usage of word Upadhyaya in Shatapatha Brahmana (10.42.36) is to mean 'instructors/coach' (to the wrestlers). So, Upadhyaya possibly could teach [[64 Kalas (चतुःषष्टिः कलाः)|64 kalas]]. Wrestling is one of them. In the same text the term is used in the sense of priest, a teacher, an instructor and a spiritual master in various places (4.29.56, 6.7.32,  10.66.27-28, 10.71.23, 10.83.20).<ref name=":2">Prof. J. S. R. Prasad in Bharatiya Vidvat Parishad ([https://groups.google.com/forum/#!msg/bvparishat/WzOL81dApIQ/ZNq_FDmvBAAJ A question : Guru-Shishya])</ref>

The usage of word Upadhyaya in Shatapatha Brahmana (10.42.36) is to mean 'instructors/coach' (to the wrestlers). So, Upadhyaya possibly could teach [[64 Kalas (चतुःषष्टिः कलाः)|64 kalas]]. Wrestling is one of them. In the same text the term is used in the sense of priest, a teacher, an instructor and a adhyatmik master in various places (4.29.56, 6.7.32,  10.66.27-28, 10.71.23, 10.83.20).<ref name=":2">Prof. J. S. R. Prasad in Bharatiya Vidvat Parishad ([https://groups.google.com/forum/#!msg/bvparishat/WzOL81dApIQ/ZNq_FDmvBAAJ A question : Guru-Shishya])</ref>

We can relate this aspect to the present day where the term Upadhyaya refers to teachers who teach different sections of the study material. One may infer that an Upadhyaya teaches part of the study course whereas a Guru influences the student in the long term and directs him in many ways.

We can relate this aspect to the present day where the term Upadhyaya refers to teachers who teach different sections of the study material. One may infer that an Upadhyaya teaches part of the study course whereas a Guru influences the student in the long term and directs him in many ways.

Manu defines a [[Guru (गुरुः)]] as follows<blockquote>निषेकादीनि कर्माणि यः करोति यथाविधि । सम्भावयति चान्नेन स विप्रो गुरुरुच्यते ॥ २.१४२ ॥ (Manu. Smrti 2.142)</blockquote><blockquote>niṣekādīni karmāṇi yaḥ karoti yathāvidhi । sambhāvayati cānnena sa vipro gururucyate ॥ 2.142 ॥ (Manu. Smrti 2.142)</blockquote>That Brahmana who prescribes Garbhadana and other samskaras according to the procedures in the shastras to the parents (meaning samskaras starting from the conception of the child) and nourishes by providing food (meaning helps in raising the child) - he is called a Guru.<ref>Shastri, J. L. (1983 First Edition) ''Manusmriti with Commentary of Kulluka Bhatta.'' Delhi : Motilal Banasidass Pvt. Ltd. ([https://archive.org/details/ManusmrtiWithKullukaBhattaTikaProf.J.L.Shastri/page/n106 Adhyaya 2 Page 59])</ref> As per Medatithi and Mitaksarakara, Manu intends Guru to mean the father himself.<ref name=":2" />

Manu defines a [[Guru (गुरुः)]] as follows<blockquote>निषेकादीनि कर्माणि यः करोति यथाविधि । सम्भावयति चान्नेन स विप्रो गुरुरुच्यते ॥ २.१४२ ॥ (Manu. Smrti 2.142)</blockquote><blockquote>niṣekādīni karmāṇi yaḥ karoti yathāvidhi । sambhāvayati cānnena sa vipro gururucyate ॥ 2.142 ॥ (Manu. Smrti 2.142)</blockquote>That Brahmana who prescribes Garbhadana and other samskaras according to the procedures in the shastras to the parents (meaning samskaras starting from the conception of the child) and nourishes by providing food (meaning helps in raising the child) - he is called a Guru.<ref>Shastri, J. L. (1983 First Edition) ''Manusmriti with Commentary of Kulluka Bhatta.'' Delhi : Motilal Banasidass Pvt. Ltd. ([https://archive.org/details/ManusmrtiWithKullukaBhattaTikaProf.J.L.Shastri/page/n106 Adhyaya 2 Page 59])</ref> As per Medatithi and Mitaksarakara, Manu intends Guru to mean the father himself.<ref name=":2" />

== References ==

== References ==

[[Category:Education Series]]

[[Category:Education Series]]