POST VEDIC PERIOD (1400 B.C to 600 B.

C)

Bhramanic age or Upanishadic period. Aim was remained intact to attain salvation. The place of Guru in society remained intact. No knowledge could come without the assistance from the Guru.

Post Vedic Period

According to the Upanishads truth, alone is the knowledge and the other worldly knowledge is untruth. The worldly knowledge was regarded as ignorance. Upanishads maintain that one cannot attain salvation through worldly knowledge because through this, one becomes involved in illusion (Maya).

Features of Post Vedic Education

1) Upanayan Sanskar Upanayan ceremony was considered necessary for starting education. The Upanayan ceremony became so important during the post vedic period, that is was usually regarded as second birth of the individual. For the Brahmans this became very important. Brahmans began to be called as Dvij (the twice born or born again). It was after the Upanayan that a Brahaman boy could be called a Dvij.

2) The Important Place of the Teacher

During this period the teacher (Guru) enjoyed a predominant place not only in his Gurukul but in the entire society. During the vedic and post vedic period the teaches place was second to that of God only. It was belived that no knowledge could come without the assistance from the Guru. In other words, it was believed that attainment of saluation was not possible without the help of Guru.

3) Curriculum during post-Vedic Period

Ved Mantras (hymns and verses) were principally taught in the vedic period. During the post-vedic period various types of Literatures were produced pertaining to the different Vedas. It consisted of Vedas, History, Puranas, Grammar, Mathematics, Braham-Vidya, Nirukti (etymological interpretation of words), astronomy, dance, music etc. Question answer system prevailed during his period. Through this system difficult and abstract ideas were made simple.

4) Daily Routines of Students

During post vedic period the Ashramas (schools) were generally organized and run by Guru.

Agencies of education

Branch or Shakha. Originate from Veda later devote to various branches of all the Vedas. Different versions of Vedas were preserved in various Gurukuls and the expansions of these branches are not limited to Vedas. Charans. According to Panini only a group of disciples who studied in one branch or shakha was charan. On other was, individuals who study particular branch of Vedas and form a group. Such group of students is called charan. Parishad. Word means all the things expanded on all sides. Focus on philosophical problem. Gotra or Kula. Based on family traditions which

Society and Culture in Later Vedic Period

The society increased in size. Kingship evolved into the hereditary form in which the son of a ruling chief gets the throne after the chief. The caste division of the society. The Brahmanas were the priestly class who occupied the highest position in the society. The Kshatriyas were the warriors; the Vaishyas were the service class like businessmen and peasants. The Shudras were the lowest class of people who did jobs like removing garbage, cleaning up, etc.

Varna system and Education in Society

But during the post vedic period varna came to be determined by birth. four varnas Brahman, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, & Shudra. The position of varnas during the post vedic period had not degenerated so much as it is found today.

The system affected the education system in general. Bhramans were mainly authorized for Vedic study and of Spiritual knowledge but some Kshatriyas had also become great Rishi just as learned philosophers like Janak etc. Similarly many other Kshatriyas kings had also gained spiritual knowledge and tried for salvation (Mukti) eg. The prominence of spiritual knowledge of King Ajatashetru of Kashi was recognized and honored by Gargeya and Balaki Brahmins Acharyas. The aim of life of Vaishyas was laid down as agricultural trade and commerce. They did not take any instrest in the intellectual education. The conditions of shudras was even worse. They had to serve the three higher castes. Shudras were not free to get Vedic knowledge now as they could in Vedic period.