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

IX] FEMALE EDUCATION 207 Two Classes of Girl Students :—There were no child marriages in the Vedic period ; as a rule however girls could not remain unmarried as long as boys as they had to be younger than their spouses. Majority of them used to get married at the age of 16 or 17, and only a few would prosecute their studies after that age. Girls of the former class were called Sadyovadhūs, and of the latter class Brahmvādinīs. The education of the Sadyovadhūs comprised the study of important Vedic hymns necessary for usual prayers and sacrifices. Music and dancing were also taught to them ; partiality of women to these arts is often referred to in the Vedic literature.¹ Brahmavādinīs used to marry after their education was over ; some of them like Vedavatī, a daughter of sage Kuśadhvaja, would not marry at all (Rām., VII. 17). Attainments of Lady Scholars :—The attainments of lady scholars, who remained unmarried for a longer time, were naturally wider and more varied. In the Vedic age, they used to acquire thorough mastery in the Vedic literature and even compose poems, some of which have been honoured by their inclusion in the sacred canon. When the Vedic lore and sacrifices became complex, a new branch of study, called Mīmānsā, came to be developed in their connection. Though this was a subject, drier than mathematics, we find lady scholars taking keen interest in it. Kāśakṛitsnin had composed a work on Mīmānsā called Kāśakṛitsnī after him ; lady students who used to specialise in it, were known as Kāśakṛitsnā.² If lady specialists in a technical

1. S. Br., III. 2. 4. 6 observes that women can be easily won over by one who can sing and dance. Appreriation of music and dan- cing of course presupposes a training in them. 2 एवमपि काशकृत्स्निना प्रोक्ता मीमांसा काशकृत्स्नी । काशकृत्स्नी- मधीते काशकृत्स्ना ब्राह्मणी । On IV, 1, 14 ; 3, 155.