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Antiquity of Upanayana Samskara (view source)
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=== In Atharvaveda Samhita ===
=== In Atharvaveda Samhita ===
The Atharvaveda samhita has a sukta (11.5) devoted to brahmacharin, and his activities.
The Atharvaveda samhita has a sukta (11.5) devoted to brahmacharin, and his activities. This sukta covers the basic discipline of the first phase of life which is Brahmacharya. This is the period of preparation for life with dedication to Brahma, comprehensive knowledge of nature, human society and Divinity, and austere, not indulgent, discipline of living for the development of body, mind and spirit. Brhmacharya and education is necessary and indispensable for both men and women. However, Vedic tradition requires that schools for boys and girls should be separate.<ref name=":32">Dr. Tulsi Ram (2013) ''Atharvaveda, Vol 1.'' Delhi: Vijaykumar Govindram Hasanand. (Pages 68 - 80)</ref> A few activities of a Brahmachari and the intimate relationship of the Acharya with the student are best exemplified in the following mantras. <blockquote>आचार्य उपनयमानो ब्रह्मचारिणं कृणुते गर्भमन्तः । तं रात्रीस्तिस्र उदरे बिभर्ति तं जातं द्रष्टुमभिसंयन्ति देवाः ॥३॥ (Atha. Veda. 11.5.3)<ref name=":0">Atharvaveda (See [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A7 Kanda 11 Sukta 5])</ref> </blockquote>The teacher, Acharya, keeps the Brahmachari being admitted to the school close to him for three days and nights like a mother bearing the child in the womb, and when the Brahmachari emerges from that close observation, noble and brilliant people of the community come together to meet him.
We find that the practice of offering of samith by a student, and his attire including the mekhala are described. <blockquote>इयं समित्पृथिवी द्यौर्द्वितीयोतान्तरिक्षं समिधा पृणाति । ब्रह्मचारी समिधा मेखलया श्रमेण लोकांस्तपसा पिपर्ति ॥४॥ (Atha. Veda. 11.5.4)<ref name=":0" /> </blockquote>The earth and earthly knowledge (Prthvi) is the Brahmachari’s first samit, fuel stick offered in the study called yajna. The heaven and divine knowledge (Dyuloka) is the second samit, and thus with the samits he studies in full the third region (Antariksha) of the middle space. Thus the Brahmachari, with the samit inputs into the yajna, with his determination symbolised by his girdle, his hard work and austere discipline covers all the three fields of his study with a sense of fulfilment all round.<ref name=":0" />
Atharvaveda emphasises on the final attainment of Brahman through austerity which is inspired and nurtured in a Brahmachari. On the other hand, the Veda also stresses that a Brahmachari has to enter the stage of social responsibilities, gathering assemblies of people (parishads), winning loud appluase, proclaiming the value of knowledge and its applications for a progressive community.
=== In Shatapatha Brahmana ===
=== In Shatapatha Brahmana ===