The brahmacarin in the Veda: The evolution of the 'Vedic student' and the dynamics of texts, rituals, and society in ancient India

This work aims at clarifying the history of evolution and development of the institution of the brahmacarin, or Vedic student, in ancient India. The brahmacarin or the initiate into the sacred knowledge of Veda, and the power of formulated speech (brahman) which supports him, were a part of spiritual foundation of the ancient Indian society. This study attempts to properly appreciate the less-studied materials in the older Vedic texts, and position the evolution of the brahmacarin within the history of ancient India.; The present study traces the evolution of the Vedic student by investigating the relevant materials in chronological order. Chapter 1 previews the problematics related to the brahmacarin in the Veda: the possible changes occurred to the institution of Vedic student during the long Vedic period, the evaluation of the Atharvavedic materials, and the history of Vedic "gr&dotbelow;hya" or non-solemn rituals. Chapter 2 deals with the background of the emergence of the brahmacarin in the R&dotbelow;gveda. Chapters 3, 4, and 5 investigate the materials in the older and later strata of the Atharvaveda. These chapters also discuss the correspondence and difference between the two Atharvaveda-Sam&dotbelow;hitas, as well as differences among the various strata of the Atharvaveda. Chapter 6 investigates the materials in the Brahman&dotbelow;as, and their relationship to those found in the Atharvaveda. The history of the Vedic "gr&dotbelow;hya" rituals in the pre-Gr&dotbelow;hyasutra texts are also discussed. Chapter 7 examines the development of the brahmacarin rituals which involve Atharvavedic formulas in the Upanis&dotbelow;ads. Chapter 8 summarizes the results of investigation in these chapters, and observes how the change and development of the institution brahmacarin actually reflect the dynamics of Vedic texts, rituals, and society.; The brahmacarin in the Veda evolved within the dynamics of various phases of the ancient Indian culture. By tracing the evolution of this institution, we can follow the inter-development of several fields of Vedic studies at once. The change of social system, the development of Vedic rituals, and the expansion of the Vedic canon, are all interrelated to each other.