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Sec. I)
STUDIES İN THE BHAGAWATİ SÚTRA
331
The basis of this distinction in social education was the caste system prevalent at that period.
The significance of this education based on 'Brahmacarya' clearly suggests that marriage was inconsistent with the student's life for his physical and mental development till he was free from the childish state, became learned and firm, reached the stage of youth, and attained the capability of enjoying :be worldly pleasures and shouldering the responsibility of the worldly affairs.
Age of Education:
The Bhs throws a welcome light upon the proper agelimit of a boy to begin his education by referring to the case of the prince Mahābala thus ; when he was a little more than eight years old,' his parents took him to a teacher of arts (kalāyariya) at an auspicious moment of a favourable day, after having caused him to bathe and performed the balikarma (the worship of house gods) and other expiatory rites, and adorned him with various kinds of decorations by offering rich entertainment, etc.
It was realized by the parents that in this tender age the mind of the child was pliable, his memory was sharp and intellect was receptive like the clay on which any impression made then, would remain throughout the life.
So this age of childhood was the best time to build up the character of a man, to develop his body, mind and personality and to infuse a spirit of the individual and social duties into his heart.
The evidence of commencing education at the proper age as revealed in the Bhs is also corroborated by the ancient Indian literatures which recommend an early age limit of five
1 Bh8, 11, 11, 429.
· 16, 11, 11, 429. 8 1b, 11, 11, 429. See Commentary
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