Page 4 - Physical Education in Ancient India (1)

During the Vedic and the Upanishadic periods, and even later, there

was an emphasis on the pursuit of an integral aim of life, which
determined the discipline of integral education. Both the material and

spiritual poles of the being had their place in this system.

Among the large variety of sciences and arts offered to students, three
Upavedas, or sciences, were related to the education of the body:

❖ the Upaveda of Rigveda, called Ayurveda (the science and art of

sustenance, protection and maintenance of long life);

❖ the Upaveda of Yajurveda, called Dhanurveda (science dealing with

weapons of war and art of warfare);

❖ the Upaveda of Samaveda, called Gandharvaveda (science of music,

singing, dancing and dramatics).

(Kireet Joshi, Ed. Mystery and Excellence of the Human Body)