Describe the features of Brahmanic Education of India.

Kane Dane

Brahmanic Education.

Education in the brahmanic time had the following features:

Psychological System,
Religious Stamp,
Social Ideals,
Assisted All-Round Development,
Character Building,
Well-regulated Life,
Full Growth of Personality,
Beginning of Education at Appropriate Age,
Development of Justice and Capability,
Self-Study,
Intimate Relation of Teacher and Taught,
Samavartan Upadesh (Valedictory Instructions)

Psychological System: The brahmanic education is mainly based on the psychological system. It was always opposed to the corporal punishments. The teachers always adopted psychological principles while teaching your students in this period.

Religious Stamp: Gradually, however, the ritual of the sacrifices became elaborated, and with its growing complexity some division of priestly labor became unavoidable. The main aim of education was the propagation of the ideas and principles in the students. No one could become an expert in the three branches of ritual, and specialist training became necessary, Probably at first it consisted in a priestly student first learning the ritual of all three branches and then specializing In one of them. The collection of Soma hymns of the Rigveda seems to show traces of this.

But eventually something more than this was needed, and there came to be three orders of priests, each possessing its own particular Veda, and having its own training schools.

Social Ideals: In this, pupils had to think themselves about what they have heard. They have to make their own inferences and assimilate the lesson taught by their teacher into the life.

Assisted All-Round Development: The individual education in the Brahmanic age assist the teachers to look after the inner and outer development of the students. They educate them in the practical way.

Character Building: The ancient education laid great emphasis on the character building. For them, the teacher should give religious instructions and give them knowledge of religious rituals. The pupil was under a somewhat rigorous discipline, but there was nothing harsh or brutal about it, and a high ideal of moral life and character was held before both pupil and teacher.

Well-regulated Life: From the very beginning the students were trained to do their work properly and on time. They were encourage to performs their daily routine properly.

Full Growth of Personality: In Gurukul, students were inspired to utilize the spiritual powers for the development of their culture. Students were also taught about self-reliance, which make them power for making social life successful with our fear. Each experienced priest probably taught his sons or nephews the ritual lore and hymns which were traditional in the family, by letting them repeat them over and over again after him until all had been committed to memory, and probably each family guarded the secrecy of its own sacred tradition.

Beginning of Education at Appropriate Age: It was already becoming recognized that for the study of the Vedic learning a long period of studentship was necessary. So, it is really essential to start learning from the very early age. The parents have the duty to give these moral values and knowledge to their pupils in very young age.

Development of Justice and Capability: Brahmaic education encouraged subjects like philosophy and law. The teachers give the opportunity to the students to decide and judge themselves.

Self-Study: There is the stage called Manana which means that students had to think themselves about what they have heard. They followed the pattern of self-study. They have to make their own inferences and assimilate the lesson taught by their teacher into the life.

Intimate Relation of Teacher and Taught: Teacher and student relation is so close and affectionate. Students treat their teachers as god. They respect and admire them like the god.

Samavartan Upadesh (Valedictory Instructions): After completing their education, students go back to their family life. At the time of departure, they are given some final instructions like: always speak truth, do your work yourself, respect elders, never neglect self-study, etc.