VEDIC EDUCATION IN
INDIA
BY-
LIPIKA BORUAH
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
INTRODUCTION
› The Vedas are considered as the earliest literary record of th
India-Aryan civilization
› “Vedas” means wisdom, knowledge or vision
› The original scriptures of the Hindu teachings and contain
spiritual knowledge encompassing all aspects of life.
› Vedic hymns were either taught by Gods to the sages or that they
were releaved themselves to the sages
› Vedas were compiled by Vyasa,
Vyasa Krishna, Swaipayana around th
time of Lord Krishna.
DIVISION OF VEDIC PERIOD
Early Vedic Period (1500
– 1200 BCE)
Later Vedic Period (1100
– 500 BCE)
CLASSIFICATION OF THE VEDAS
• The Book of Mantras
The Rig Veda • Consists of 1017 hymns or ‘suktas’
‘
• The Book of Song/ Melodies
The Sama Veda • Almost drawn from the Rig Veda
• The Book of Ritual
The Yajur Veda • guide book for the priests who executes sacrificial
acts/ Yagja
The Atharva • The Book of Speed
Veda • Consists of spells and charms prevalent at its time
AIMS OF VEDIC EDUCATION
› Physical and Intellectual Development: Education wa
imparted in the open air and ‘Pranayam’ and ‘Surya Namaskar
were its regular features. ‘Brahmachari
Brahmachari’ up to the age of twenty
five, lead a very regular, hard and disciplined life.
› Religious and Spiritual Development:
Development Religion had alway
played a dominant role in the life of Indian people. Develop
moral and spiritual faculties.
› Emphasis upon knowledge and experiences: through discours
and discussions
› Preservation and spread of culture
Contd....
› Promotion of social efficiency:
efficiency trained for a vocation and
become a socially efficient and useful person.
› Development of character and personality
› Ultimate Aim: Realization of the Absolute (Brahma), Self
realization
CURRICULUM
› Vedic education was student centered i.e. according to th
vocational needs, interests and aptitude of the students
› Brahmanas: Vedas (1 Rig Veda 2 Yajur Veda 3 Sam Veda 4
Atharva Veda) and Vedangas:
Vedangas i. Siksha ii. Kalpa iii. Nirukta iv
Chandas v. Jyotisha vi. Vyakarna (grammar)
› Kshatriyas: The art of warfare, riding, wrestling, hunting
swimming, running, jumping, etc.
› Vaishyas: Agriculture and trade, arts & crafts
› Besides this, Dharma, Meditation, Logic, etc.
METHODS OF TEACHING
› Verbal education was imparted.
imparted
› The hymns were memorized
› Pronunciation of the verses
› Mistakes were corrected by repetition
› There were mainly three steps of learning according to Vedi
system:
Sravana (Listening)
Manana (Reflection)
Nididhyasana (Meditation)
UPANAYAN SANSKAR
› Considered important both in the Vedic and Post-Vedic periods
› ‘Upanayan’ means ‘to come near.’:
near to the teacher
› ceremony lasted for three days
› Regarded as second birth of the individual: Dwija (the twice born
or born again).
› The pupil entered into a state of ‘Brahmacharya’
› Performed at the age of eight years for Brahmans, eleven for th
Kshatriyas and twelve for the Vaishyas. Shudras were generally
deprived from education.
SAMAVARTANA CEREMONY
› Meaning ‘graduation’ or ‘Convocation’.
‘Convocation’
› Considered a Vidya-snataka (literally, bathed in knowledge
› Completion of at least 12 years of school, that is either about age 21 o
later.
› The teacher used to fell them how to lead a life of householde
(Grihastha), how to take care of the society and the nation and how to
serve the humanity as a whole.
› The teacher used to tell all these in a ceremony which was known a
samavartan.
› The student asked the teacher for any gift (guru-dakshina) he desired.
Education in the Post-Vedic
Post Period
Upanayan Sanskar
› The Important Place of the Teacher
› Curriculum during Post-Vedic
Vedic Period: included more subjects in
post-Vedic
Vedic period. It consisted of Vedas, History, Puranas, Grammar,
Mathematics,, astronomy, dance, music etc.
› Daily Routines of Students
› Duration of Education
› Convocation Address
CONTD....
› Women Education: During the vedic age the women enjoyed
equal educational right. Lopamudra,
Lopamudra Apalla, Ghosh, and
Vishwavara were some of the great women sager who were held
in high esteem. During post vedic period they did not enjoy the
same status as before.
› Varna system and Education in Society : The Varna system in
the vedic age was based on one‘s work or duty (karma). But
during the post vedic period varna came to be determined by
birth. Consequently the whole society was divided in to four
varnas – Brahman, Kshatriyas,
Kshatriyas Vaishyas, & Shudra.
MERITS
› Vedic period paid attention to the formation of character and
development of personality of child.
› Social skills developed through training in the fulfillment o
duties.
› Efforts were made for preservation of culture.
› Education was free. Its expenses borne by society and the king .
› Begging for alms developed humility and tolerance in students.
Contd....
› Treated their students as their own children.
› Education on women also received proper attention during vedic
period. Music and dancing were also taught to girls.
› Arts and handicrafts were highly respected.
› The teacher enjoyed the highest social status.
DEMERITS
The Vedic education laid undue stress on spiritual matters.
Education
Education was religion dominated
Education
Education was not considered as the birth right of a person.
