Education

Education
In the early Rig-Vedic era, entire instruction was given orally Art of writing does not seem to have developed yet In the well-known Gayatri mantra there is a prayer to Savitri for the stimulation of the intellect There were women teachers Many of them possessed the highest spiritual knowledge Maitreyi and Gargi were gifted scholars Rishis who composed hymns founded their own schools separately to teach their pupils and every person among the vis was entitled to learn Vedic mantras
In the later-Vedic phase, with the development of Varnashrama, education began with an investiture
ceremony (upanayan) Since Upanayan was confined to three upper Varnas, the sudras were not entitled to education Sometimes girls were also encouraged When teacher was satisfied with the student, last sermon called snatakopadesa (kind of convocation) was delivered
Institution of Gotra
Gotra or cowpen was a mechanism for widening social ties a new relationship was established between hitherto unrelated people It is possible that animals were herded in common and such a place was known as gotra and from this it acquired the character of an exogamous institution
Amusements and entertainments
Music, both vocal and instrumental, was well known Vedic Aryans played on the Vina and flute Vana to the accompaniment of drums and cymbals Few claim that Dhrupad of Indian classical music originated in Vedic Era
Dancing was common The chariot race was a favourite sport and source of entertainment Chariot race was a symbolic source of political authority of the king The fascination of gambling and the ruin caused by its addiction find mention in the Rig-Veda