Social History of Nepal

The Educational Saṁskāra

vidyarambha
By Anoj Subedi

Tribhuvan University
Nepalese History, Culture and Archaeology
Social History of Nepal
 TODAY'S TOPICS
WHAT WE'LL DISCUSS

Meaning and propose

Sources of Information
Origin
Preformed Age
Ceremonies
 vidyarambha
when tiny tots are initiated into the
ALWAYS REMEMBER

world of letters.
VIDYARAMBHA
LAERINING OF ALPHABETS

When the mind of child was prepared to receive education

the vidyarambha samskara was performed to mark its VARIOUSLY
beginning and -in it alphabets are taught. CALLED

Vidayarambha
Aksararambha
Aksarasavikarana
Aksaralekhana
It originated at a very high stage of civilization, where
alphabets evolved and utilized for written proposes.
 Although the Vidyarambha come
SOURCES OF INFORMATION

before the Upanayana in oder the

origin of its founded to be came later.
 Grhyasutras, Dharmasutras and Early smirits do not
mention it.
INFORMATION
AUTHORITIES
Our Authorities for information about this samskaras
are few written works only:

-Viramitrodaya (Samskara-prakas, vol -1)

-Smirit-Chandrika (Samskara- Kanda)
-Samskar-Ratnamaka (Gopinatha Bhatta)
-Commentary of Aparaka and Yojnayalkya smriti)

All these sourcs are recent history of ritual litarature in india.

 Origin

GRHYASUTA & DHARMASUTRA WHICH DEAL WITH CEREMONIES LIKE

FIRST OUTLING & THE FIRST FEEDING OF CHILD, MISSED
VIDYARAMBHA

IT CAN'T BE MISTAKEN IT CAN BE EXPLAINED BY THE FACT THAT

WHILE MANY OF THE SAMSKARA ORIGINATED IN THE PRE-SUTRA
PERIOD, THE VIDHYAEAMBHA DID NOT COME INTO EXISTENCE TILL
VERY LATE.
 AS SANSKRIT WAS THE SPOKEN LANGUAGE AND UPANAYANA MARKED
THE BEGINNING OF PRIMARY EDUCATION. LEARNING OF SANSKRIT DID
NOT REQUIRED A PREPARATORY TRAINING IN READING AND WRITNG.

LATER LITERATURE OF HINDU PROGRESSES AND BECAME

COMPLICATED. THE SCIENCES OF GRAMMER EVOLVED AND DIFFERENT
BRANCHES OF LEARNING CAME TO EXISTENCE.

HENCE, TO PRESERVE THE TREASURE OF LEARNING ALPHABETS WERE

ORIGIN

INVENTED AND THE ART OF WRITTING WERE KNOWN.

 At this time, for studying the sanskrit
literature, a preliminary instruction in
reading and writing become
necessary.
Upanayana could not mark beginning of primary education, rather it
was performed as secndary education.
ORIGIN

Thus to meet the need Vidyarambha Samskar came to existence

This samskara was originated earlier than its mention in the smritis.

This samsakra was performed with the name Chaula Ceremony,

::Supported by Arthasasta: according to which the education of a prince

began at the time of chaula samskara
 According to Visvamitra this samskar

AGE was performed in 5th year of the

child.

As refer to Sodasa-samsakar vidhi, it

can be performed even in 7th year too.
But, must be performed before
Upanaya Samskara

Proper time to perform it was from the

month Margasire to Jestha.

Month of Asadha to Kartik is prohibited

when lord Vishnu was supposed to be
sleeping.
 CEREMONIES
When the sun was in northern hemisphere, an auspicious day was fixed for
performing this Samskara.
CEREMONIES

In its beginning the chid was required to have bath, scented and decorated.

Vinayaka, Saraswati, Family god - goddess and Brhaspati were worshipped

after than homa was offered.

Saffron and other substance were scattered on a silver plank and letters
were written with gold pen. (applied for rich people)

Later it can be written on rich with any pen specially made for this
occassion.
THE FOLLOWING
PHRASES WERE WRITTEN
SALUTATION TO GANESH
SALUTATION TO SARAWATI
SALUTATION TO FAMILY GOD -GODDESS
SALUTATION TO NARAYAN & LAXMI

AT THE END ..

OM NAMAH SIDDHAYA OR SALUTATION TO SIDDHA

Then the child worship the teacher, and the later made the child read
three times what was written.

Having read, the child presented cloth and ornaments to the teacher.

Brahmans were paid a sacrificial fee, in return they bless the child.

In end teacher will be presented a turban, and ceremonies closed.

Thank You!!