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Religion is one of the most influential forces of social control and effective guides of human behaviour. It is a very ancient and unique institution. In sociology the word religion is used in a wider sense than that is used in religious books. A recent sociological work defines religion as, those institutionalized system of beliefs, symbols values, and practices that provides groups of men with solutions to their questions of ultimate 29 being. A common characteristic found among all religions is that they represent a complex of emotional feelings and attitudes towards mysteries and perplexities of life. As such religion comprises of attitudes, beliefs and symbols which are based on the assumption that certain kinds of social

135 relations are sacred or morally imperative and their structure of activities are governed or influenced by these systems. Rituals maintain religions. attitudes and helps to remind individual of the holy realm and strengthen his faith in this realm. For example, Hinduism lays great stress on a variety of rituals. In a Hindu family at the time of birth, marriage and death many ritual ceremonies are observed. Likewise in a church congregation one observes several rituals: one rises, bows kneels, comes forward, lights candles and so on. Many such ceremonies some times seem incredibly intricate. However the primitive people might have invented some of these ceremonies with a purpose in mind which is now lost that purpose due to social changes and the advancement of scientific knowledge. Behind ceremonies there is definitely a logic that is emotional satisfaction, which is realised by the sharing, expression and control of human emotions in the ceremonial contexts. Religion is a universal phenomenon, it cannot be considered as a critical state of human nature but as something permanently embedded in man's psychology. 30 Galloway observes, 'The fact that men everywhere and always have developed religion, for there is no evidence that any tribe or race has existed without it points to the truth that religion must have its roots in human nature. No accident of environment or tenacity of tradition can account for what is constant and persistent that which is universal in

136 experience must be a genuine expression of man's life. 31 Like the other social institutions religion also arose from the intellectual power of man in response to certain felt needs of man. It has been a powerful agency in society and performed many important social functions. According to the view of Selbie. 'it is not that the sacred society or church becomes or takes the place of God, but rather that man finds that he can best approach his God as he does so in fellowship, with others as a member of a community which exists to secure the end for which God stands'. 32 Religion serves and soothes the emotions in times of human sufferings and contributes to the integration of one's personality. That children should obey their parents, one should not tell a lie or cheat, women should be faithful to men, people should be honest and virtuous in their work are some of the social values propagated by religion which uphold social solidity. Religion bans unsocial activities and requires people to put some limitations upon their material wants and desires. Love and service are the two great teaching of religion. Religion has always generated a sense of belongingness in society. The most important function of religion is self-discipline. It is responsible for organizing the society on spiritual and moral principles and for teaching the values of reverence and obedience. Besides religion shapes domestic, economic and political institutions. Religious rites are performed on many occasions as 'birth, initiation,

137 marriage, sickness, death, hunting, animal husbandry and so on and they are intimately concerned with family and kinship interests and with political 33 institutions'. 55 Religion has served humanity through the spreading of education. The scriptures are great literary works and storehouse of knowledge. It has also emphasized benevolence and forbearance. It also created the habit of charity among the people who opened many charitable institutions like hospitals, temples and rest houses to help the needy and the poor. Religion supports the folkways and customs by placing the powerful sanctions of the supernatural behind them. They make certain acts not only offences against the society but against God as well. Violations of the moral codes evoke sin and punishment from the spiritual forces. In its positive form religion provides a model for living. It upholds. certain ideals and values. The believer imbibes these ideals and values in his life. Religion can help youth to become morally disciplined and socialized citizens of the society. Religion has also contributed to the growth of literature art and music. The desire to laud and please Gods has led people to extol them in songs, sculpture, painting and architecture. Some of the worlds most beautiful monuments are buildings erected to the glory of the Gods. Vast temples, mosque, cathedrals and artistic images express man's desire to

138 portray his conceptions of the supernatural in aesthetic and inspiring ways. The sacred writings stimulate an appreciation of beautiful prose and poetry. Religious themes are the inspiration for some of man's finest paintings and the desire to sing praises has led to the creation of some of the world's fine music. Religion also provides a good opportunity for friendship. The religious congregarations serve as a place for men to find their mates and for friendly associations. This friendship functions of religion is vital service to adults and youth as well. But if religion becomes a tool in the hands of fanatics and fundamentalists, all the virtues that are taken notice of it will be converted to its opposite. Instead of love and compassion there will be hatred for all other religions and instead of sacrifice and service, there will be selfish and cruel acts performed for money and power. There is also the threat of superstitions and false spirituality taking the place of true religions faith. In ancient India, as reflected in Ramayana and Mahabharata, the religion of the high-class society was following the rituals and yajnas. Like this the recitation of Sastras on the occasions of the Yajna and the Sraddha ceremonies was popular. Manu says (Chap III) - During the Sraddha repast Vedas, Puranas Itihasas and Khilas should be recited to brahmana guests when they would be eating. 34 Visnu Samhita says 'This code should be studies, remembered and recited to others.

139 Persons deserving good, shall hears it narrated during the celebration of a sraddha ceremony'. 35 In the ancient time story telling was the habit of sutas and Magadhas who traveled to various places and told the stories related to gods and heroes. The professional storytellers were great sources of popular instruction. The caste of Panas were also traveling minstrels who used to recite songs and stories of fight and adventure before kings and noblemen on festive and other occasions. 36 These were the ancient or traditional provisions for the spread of knowledge among the masses. Many religions coexist in India. These religion have a long history and they have contributed many values, and produced great spiritual leaders who were able to guide the people of India. People of India respected all religions. The religions co-operated with each other following the principles of mutual respect and tolerance. Sometime they came after the age of Yajnas and vedic forms of worship the corner stone of the ancient religious happened to be temples. The priests went into the temples and started the teaching of puranic stories. Temples became the main centers of religious education from the ancient period to the present day itself. Many temples provided funds for the fulfillment of educational needs and established educational institutions under its management.

140 In Kerala during the period of Kulasekhara there were provisions for vedic education in some important temples. Brahmana students were given free vedic education in the institutions attached to those temples. Hundreds of Vedic scholars completed their education by the help of these temples which we under the royal patronage. To give opportunity for the ordinary people to have acquaintance with the itihasas and puranas example the learned persons recited epics and puranas in temples. Through the recitation and explanation of the stories the ordinary persons know about the puranic wisdom and Sanskrit language and literature. It was a custom to perform Sanskrit plays during the festivals in the ancient days. Right from the vedic period performances were held at festivals in dance and mime. 37 Religious and cultural activities in temples took various forms which included music and pantomime, discourses by learned men on religious topics, and recitation of the itihasas and the puranas. In Kadambari Bana writes that queen Vilasavati heard the recitation of the Mahabharata in the temple of Mahakala in Ujjain. Similarly there were arrangements in the temple to provide for the reciting of the Mahabharata. Popular education in the broadest sense were distributed from the temples as they were the centre of such activities.