प्राचीन भारत में शिक्षा (डॉ. ए.एस. अल्तेकर - गुरुकुल एवं बौद्ध विहार शिक्षण इतिहास)

APPENDIX I.
EDUCATIONAL RITUALS.
Religion has deeply saturated Hindu life in almost
all its phases and the sphere of education is no
exception. Rituals connected with the student’s life are
many, and several aspects of educational theory and
practice are illustrated by their study. For the benefit
of advanced students of the subject, it is therefore
proposed to devote this appendix to a critical survey
and rationalistic interpretation of the important rituals
connected with education.
SECTION A.
VIDYĀRAMBHA RITUAL (SAṄSKĀRA).¹
Its Time and Nature: Vidyārambha Saṁskāra,
which is described by some authorities also as
Aksharasvīkaraṇa, was performed, as the name would
suggest, at the commencement of the primary
education. Fifth year, which is usually regarded as
suitable for the beginning of the primary education,
was the time prescribed for it.² If the ritual had to be
postponed on account of unavoidable difficulties, it had
to be performed at least before the Upanayana
(Initiation or Thread Ceremony).³ An auspicious day
was selected for the purpose. The ritual was a simple

1. The original authorities for the information given in this
   section are the following:—Viramitrodaya, Saṁskāraprakāśa, pp. 321 ff;
   Aparārka on Yājñavalkya-smṛti, I, 13; Smṛtichandrikā, Saṁskārakāṇḍa,
   pp. 67 ff; Saṁskāra-ratna-mālā of Gopīnāthabhaṭṭa.
2. The Bismilla Khani ceremony, which the Muslims perform
   at the beginning of the primary education, is also performed in the
   5th year, or to be more correct, on the 4th day of the fourth month
   of the fifth year. It was performed on this day in the case of
   Humayun; J.A.S.B., 1935, p. 249.
3. द्वितीयजन्मनः पूर्वमारभेताक्षरासुन्धीः । Brihaspati in VMS.