Essay name: Informal Education of Sanskrit in Kerala
Author:
Jayasree M.
Affiliation: Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit / Department of Sanskrit Sahitya
This essay studies the informal education of Sanskrit in Kerala with special reference to Ayurveda. It provides a historical overview of Sanskrit education in India, highlighting its roots in the Vedas and the growth of the Gurukula system. It further discusses educational institutions in Kerala such as Shalas, Mathas, Kalaris and more formalized schools during colonial rule.
Chapter 1 - Sanskrit Education in Historical Perspective
63 (of 104)
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63
them.
75 There is every reason to think that these Buddhist missionaries
used the form of art including drama to preach their ideology.
76 It is generally assumed that the orgnised institution of Brāhmaṇic
religion to Kerala took place during the early centuries of the Christian
77 Era."
According to traditions, sage Parasuram brought them to Kerala.
The Namputiri Brahmins of Kerala are said to be their descendants. The
Brāhmins who settled in Kerala accepted the wise policy of mixing up with
the local people, made matrimonial alliances with them and followed some
of the local customs. It led to the completion of the synthesis of Āryan and
Dravidian cultures in which the Aryan elements established clear
superiority over the Dravidian counterparts. There was a rapid growth of
triumphant culture of Brāhmanism in Kerala causing the consolidation of
caste system and the downfull of Jainism and Buddhism. Gradually, at
about 9th century AD. The Brāhmiṇs secured an unquestionable
domination in the socio-political set up of Kerala.
78 By the time of the rigorous settlement of Aryans in Kerala, the
classical Sanskrit literature had reached the peak of its growth through the
poets like Bhāsa, Kālidāsa, Aśvaghosa, Bhāravi and others. The Aryans,
especially, the Brahmins, might have brought their high tradition of
literature with them. The transplantation of classical Sanskrit Drama and
Theatre to Kerala also might have taken place in this period. Quite
