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

280 EDUCATION IN ANCIENT INDIA [App. sufficient if it has no capacity to receive proper stimulation. The prayer is offered to the sun because he was regarded as the one and universal source of stimulation for both the animate and the inanimate world. Investiture with Staff; Its Significance :—With the learning of the Gāyatrī Mantra, the student begins his journey on the road to knowledge; he was there- fore invested with a staff, which was a traveller’s symbol in olden days. While accepting it, the student prayed that with divine grace he may reach the goal of his arduous journey¹. The staff exhorted the student to become a careful watchman, charged with the duty of guarding the Vedas.² It served the purpose of making the student self-confident and self-reliant, when he was out in the forest to collect the sacred fuel, or travelling in darkness or entering an unknown river or tank.³ It was also useful in controlling the cattle of the teacher, if it was necessary for the student to look after them. Ceremonial Begging :—The student was expected to maintain himself by begging cooked food everyday; so the practice commenced on the day of the Upanayana. The begging on the first day however was a ceremonial affair, for the boy was to approach only such persons as would not refuse his request. He would therefore first go to his mother and then her sister and then other relatives. In the modern Upanayana ritual this ceremonial begging has assumed the proportions of an imposing and stately procession, wending its way through the main thoroughfares of the town or village.

1. Ma. Gr., S., 1. 22. 11.
2. Vā. Gr. S., 6.
3. Aparārka on I. 29.