Changes

Acharya Ashrama has its own code of conduct as described in the Dharmasutras and Grhyasutras. However, all students based on his varna had special rules to follow, had a dress code, and specific activities. Whatever be their objectives of study, students were to have certain marks of differentiation concerning their attire. Following is a list of these characteristic features which a student has to follow starting from the Upanayana samskara.

Acharya Ashrama has its own code of conduct as described in the Dharmasutras and Grhyasutras. However, all students based on his varna had special rules to follow, had a dress code, and specific activities. Whatever be their objectives of study, students were to have certain marks of differentiation concerning their attire. Following is a list of these characteristic features which a student has to follow starting from the Upanayana samskara.

=== अजीनानि ॥ Ajina ===

=== अजीनानि ॥ Ajina (Deer-Skin as Garment) ===

Smriti Chandrika mentions that according Brhaspati,<blockquote>कृष्णाजिनं ब्राह्मणस्य रौरवं क्षत्रियस्य तु। वस्ताजिनं तु वैश्यस्य सर्वेषां वा गवाजिनम् ॥ (Smrt. Chan. Part. 1 Page 74)</blockquote>The Brahmachari is to wear Ajina as upper garment of the skin of certain animals. It should be the skin of Krishna or Ena, black buck (an antilope skin<ref name=":5">Chahal, Mandeep (2020) Ph.D Thesis Titled: ''[http://hdl.handle.net/10603/309999 Samskaras in the Grihyasutras historical account of Jatakarma Upanyana Vivaha and Antyeshti.]'' (Chapter 3)</ref>), for a Brahmana ; of Ruru, or spotted deer, for a Kshatriya ; of Vasta or Aja, goat, for a Vaishya [Brihaspati; Yama ; Sankha]. It may also be cowhide [gavyam] for all, according to Paraskara (sarveshaam vaa gavyam) and of spotted deer for all, according to Yama.<ref name=":62">Mookerji. Radha Kumud, (1947) Ancient Indian Education (Brahminical and Buddhist) London: MacMillan And Co., Ltd. (Page 178 -180)</ref> We find similar recommendations in Gṛhyasūtras of Asavalayana, Baudhyāna and Kaṭhaka with slight changes here and there; like Baudhyāna prescribes the skin of black deer suited for all varnas so does Kaṭhaka agree with him except for prescribing the skin of tiger for Kṣatriya, representing the courage and valour and skin of spotted deer for Vaishya.<ref name=":5" />

Smriti Chandrika mentions that according Brhaspati,<blockquote>कृष्णाजिनं ब्राह्मणस्य रौरवं क्षत्रियस्य तु। वस्ताजिनं तु वैश्यस्य सर्वेषां वा गवाजिनम् ॥ (Smrt. Chan. Part. 1 Page 74)</blockquote>The Brahmachari is to wear Ajina as upper garment of the skin of certain animals. It should be the skin of Krishna or Ena, black buck (an antilope skin<ref name=":5">Chahal, Mandeep (2020) Ph.D Thesis Titled: ''[http://hdl.handle.net/10603/309999 Samskaras in the Grihyasutras historical account of Jatakarma Upanyana Vivaha and Antyeshti.]'' (Chapter 3)</ref>), for a Brahmana ; of Ruru, or spotted deer, for a Kshatriya ; of Vasta or Aja, goat, for a Vaishya [Brihaspati; Yama ; Sankha]. It may also be cowhide [gavyam] for all, according to Paraskara (sarveshaam vaa gavyam) and of spotted deer for all, according to Yama.<ref name=":6" /> We find similar recommendations in Gṛhyasūtras of Asavalayana, Baudhyāna and Kaṭhaka with slight changes here and there; like Baudhyāna prescribes the skin of black deer suited for all varnas so does Kaṭhaka agree with him except for prescribing the skin of tiger for Kṣatriya, representing the courage and valour and skin of spotted deer for Vaishya.<ref name=":5" />

=== वासांसि ॥ Vasa ===

=== वासांसि ॥ Vasa (Garments) ===

Smriti Chandrika mentions that according to Gautama,<blockquote>शाणक्षौमचीरकुतपास्सर्वेषां कार्पासं वाऽविकृतम्। (Smrt. Chan. Part. 1 Page 75)</blockquote>Vasa is the lower garment which may be made of the following materials, according to viz. (i) shana (शाणं शणविकारम्), hemp (2) kshauma (क्षौममतसीसूत्रनिर्मितम्), fibre of atasi plant (3) chiira, darbha, or [https://dharmawiki.org/index.php/Importance%20of%20kusha%20(%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BE%20%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%20%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5) kusha] grass (चीरं दर्भादिनिष्पन्नम्) ; (4) kutapa, (कुतपः पार्वतीयाजरोमनिर्मितः कम्बलः) wool derived from mountain goats and used to make kambala (कम्बलः) or blankets and (5) Kaarpaasa (कार्पासम्), cotton.

Smriti Chandrika mentions that according to Gautama,<blockquote>शाणक्षौमचीरकुतपास्सर्वेषां कार्पासं वाऽविकृतम्। (Smrt. Chan. Part. 1 Page 75)</blockquote>Vasa is the lower garment which may be made of the following materials, according to viz. (i) shana (शाणं शणविकारम्), hemp (2) kshauma (क्षौममतसीसूत्रनिर्मितम्), fibre of atasi plant (3) chiira, darbha, or [[Importance of kusha (कुशा का महत्त्व)|kusha]] grass (चीरं दर्भादिनिष्पन्नम्) ; (4) kutapa, (कुतपः पार्वतीयाजरोमनिर्मितः कम्बलः) wool derived from mountain goats and used to make kambala (कम्बलः) or blankets and (5) Kaarpaasa (कार्पासम्), cotton.<ref name=":6" />

According to Vasishtha, it may be only woven cotton cloth (वसिष्ठोऽपि --- सर्वेषां वा तान्तवमरक्तम् । taantavam-araktam). But it should be woven or manufactured in the home of the pupil for purposes of the ceremony (Vaasah sadyah krittotam (Baudhayana, G.S., ii, 5, ii)). This shows the use of loom and khaddar in every household in those days. According to Taittiriya Aranyaka [ii, i], cloth could alternate with skin (ajinam vaso va dakshinatah upaviya).

According to Vasishtha, it may be only woven cotton cloth (वसिष्ठोऽपि --- सर्वेषां वा तान्तवमरक्तम् । taantavam-araktam). But it should be woven or manufactured in the home of the pupil for purposes of the ceremony (Vaasah sadyah krittotam (Baudhayana, G.S., ii, 5, ii)). This shows the use of loom and khaddar in every household in those days. According to Taittiriya Aranyaka [ii, i], cloth could alternate with deer-skin (ajinam vaso va dakshinatah upaviya).<ref name=":6" />

=== Danda ===

The Brahmachari is also to be equipped with a danda or staff of wood of lengths which are different for different castes. The different woods mentioned are Bilva, Palana, Vata, Khadira, Pilava, Udumbara, Plaksha, Nyagrodha, Vetasa, Ashvattha, and, failing these, any wood fit for use in sacrifice (yajniya). It should reach up to head in length for a Brahmana, up to forehead for a Kshatriya, and up to nose for a Vaishya. But in all cases, it should be straight, beautiful, non-terrifying (anudbegakara), unburnt, and in its natural condition (satvacha) [Yama].

 

According to Apastamba, the Brahmana should use cloth coloured with kashaya, a vegetable dye (vriksha-kashaya-nirmitam varksham), the Kshatriya manjishtha cloth, and the Vaishya haridra (yellow) cloth.<ref name=":6" />

 

=== दण्डः ॥ Danda (Staff of wood) ===

The Brahmachari is also to be equipped with a danda or staff of wood of varying lengths for students of different varnas. The different woods mentioned are Bilva, Palana, Vata, Khadira, Pilava, Udumbara, Plaksha, Nyagrodha, Vetasa, Ashvattha, and, failing these, any wood which is used in a yajna (yajniya) according to Gautama. Manu states as follows<blockquote>ब्राह्मणो वैल्वपालाशौ क्षत्त्रियो वटखादिरौ । पैलवौदुम्बरौ वैश्वो दण्डानर्हन्ति धर्म्मतः ॥

 

केशान्तिको ब्राह्मणस्य दण्डः कार्यः प्रमाणतः । ललाटसम्मितो राज्ञः स्यात्तु नासान्तिको विशः॥ (Manu. Smrt. 2.45-46)<ref>Manu Smriti ([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%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%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 2])</ref></blockquote>Meaning: The wood of Palasa and Bilva should be used for the danda of a Brahmana, Vata and Khadira for a Kshatriya, and Vilva and Udumbara wood was appropriate for a danda of a Vaishya. It should reach up to head in length for a Brahmana, up to forehead for a Kshatriya, and up to nose for a Vaishya. Dandalakshana according to Yama is as follows<blockquote>ऋजवस्ते तु सर्वे स्युरव्रणास्सौम्यदर्शनाः। अनुद्वेगकरा नृणां सत्वचोऽनग्निदूषिताः ॥ (Smrt. Chan. Part. 1 Page 78)</blockquote>But in all cases, it should be straight, beautiful, non-terrifying (anudvegakara), unburnt, and in its natural condition (satvacha).<ref name=":6" /> The staff was not a mere wooden stick, it symbolized strength, resolute power, long journeys, accepting the ordeals, support, control, protection from enemies in self-defense be it from animals or other men, demons and pisachas - a true companion which an initiate was supposed to possess at all times. It was a sign of self confidence in a Brahmacharin. As per Paraskara Grhyasutra, wood of palasa was preferred for the Dañda (staff) of a Brāhmaṇa, Bilva wood for Kṣatriya and Udumbara wood served appropriate for Vaiśya. Some of the Gṛhyasūtras offer the flexibility to use all kinds of wood for all varnas.<ref name=":5" />

==== Mekhala ====

==== Mekhala ====