Ancient Way of Teaching and Learning : Bharat’s Gurukuls

Author Rekha Gupta

LIFE’S ESSENCE IS IN LEARNING HOLISTICALLY!

“Gurukul in true manner begins at home with one’s parents and grandparents being the first gurus“.

My dadi Smt. Darba Devi, was a very simple yet intelligent lady in our family who knew not only how to keep such a big family united ,but would amaze us from time to time with her vast knowledge. When required she would become a doctor, as just by seeing the slightest symptoms she would instantly diagnose the problem and would give us a concoction of her ”Desi Dawayi” ( home made ayurvedic medicine ) which never failed. She would tell us in advance without ever seeing a calendar when ”Ekadshi” ( falls twice a month ) will be, and accordingly would prepare everyone to fast (a ritual to cleanse the body twice monthly, as she said). She never wore a watch but would always know what time of the day it was. In fact this had become our favourite game and time pass with her – all day we would ask her at different time intervals as to ”what the time is” ? She would just peep out of the window and bingo would give us the accurate time (5 mins up and down) This during evening and night hours too!!

I attribute all the above to a combination of ancient education, strong intuitive powers combined with ones own sense of ever developing knowledge & intellect.

We are all well aware that ancient Bharat was technically & scientifically more advanced than all its counterparts, as well as a sound well developed nation ethically, morally with a rich cultural heritage to boast of . While this definitely can be attributed to the learnings from Veds & innumerable Sacred texts, however the fact that these were taught in a particular way at ” Gurukuls” is what is noteworthy. And today this is what my post is about….

Guru is one who enables you to awaken your wisdom hence leads you from darkness to light.

Learnings in Gurkul was much beyond the practical know how. It was encapsulated to teach students not only the varied vast subjects but with emphasis on ethics and morals, in order to pursue a righteous way of living. Ancient Gurukul was a residential learning centre with a holistic approach on shaping the entire personality of each student as per the students uniqueness ,so each one could excel in all aspects of life . It was what you call truly preparing an individual to enter the world based on his unique personality and expertise.

It is also a well known fact that Students from Middle East, Europe & most parts of Asia flocked in great numbers to Bharat to acquire this knowledge and skills .C@Rg

Guru & shishya/student relationship was considered only next to a parent child relationship as Parents give life and the Guru taught the principles of life from the very basics to advanced. Guru instilled various qualities on – Spiritual Progress, Mental Progress, Physical Progress . Focus was on overall development and shaping the personality of each student .

In addition to academics like Science, history, language, Math, there were some key, life changing principles taught to children equally well in order to pursue a morally correct life benefitting them, and society around them. These principles inculcated were considered to be more crucial and would often prepare them to be on the path of spiritual progress These principles were : To treat everyone equally , Rigid Self control , Control over ones senses , Endurance & Restraint, Sincerity , flexible approach in finding a solution.

Imparting of knowledge was considered so noble that the Guru did not accept any fee from the shishya’s .Guru was revered by the Shishyas hence on completion offered a Gurudakshina as a token of acknowledgement and a mark of respect. C@Rg

Gurukul was usually away from the hustle bustle of society, in the heart of nature; mostly the jungle, for a very valid reason.Wherein the positivity of Nature silently taught many a lessons and the Shishyas thereby naturally learnt to value mother nature. They learnt the quintessential lesson of survival amongst the hardships of a jungle . Away from family and family’s pampering & support the Shihsyas learnt to be mentally and physically self reliant thus became emotionally stronger. Their learnings included to co-exist with all living beings & animals without fearing them- on the contrary as practical lesson, they learnt to either scare them away or if need be then fight the deadliest of animals ,in turn each one became invincibly courageous, ready to face anything mentally and physically .

The Shishyas / students lived for years from age 5-6 to age 16- 19 in the same premises with a Guru . Despite all students hailing from different family & cultural backgrounds, from different status , they were all treated as equals. They shared all the daily household chores ( more difficult in a jungle) amongst themselves which silently taught them to be self reliant while bonding with each other like one family with sensitivity ,care , love and discipline that helped build each ones strength of character .C@Rg

Gurukul’s regime was rigid and disciplined. From waking up early morning at 4 am , bathing, offering prayers to bhagvan ji and everything thats life giving like Sun God ,Mother Earth ,Agni Dev, Indr Dev to holy rivers & plants with chanting of mantras. Then they would go on to do meditation , pranayam & Yog .

Classes were held in an open area wherein simple stories & poems were used to illustrate the most complex concepts of Science & Maths, which actually made it so engaging that students participated and reacted automatically as the story connects to ones thoughts and emotions thereby the story being embedded in the child forever. Equal focus was on Arts & Crafts, Sports and other activities Such as – ”Geet Vidya” – art of singing, ”Vadya Vidya” – Art of playing musical instruments, ”Nritya Vidya” – Art of dancing, ”Vaastu” Shastra – Art of building, ”Ayurveda” – art of healing and medicine, etc…….

The students and the Guru exchanged thoughts ( known as group discussions today ), no one was ridiculed nor singled out for thinking differently than all others. It was to learn to discriminate right / real from wrong /unreal thereby awakening the ”Vivekam”( Conscious mind) of a shishya. While learning all the subjects logically & scientifically the shishyas had to cook their meals to be self sufficient. Equal focus was on self defense thereby learning all forms of martial arts, archery, mace ,club ,spears, horse riding etc. to combat with all kind of weapons that turned each Shihsya into an invincible warrior .

On a deeper level ,during the period of learning the Shishya absorbed the non verbal aspects too from living with the Guru ,this is ”UPASNA” (Devotion ) of the Shishya and when complete – Shishya would mirror the Guru. C@Rg

Focus was on the uniqueness of each child . There was never a grading or ranking system or the concept of promotion to next class, so no first or last grade awarded, there never was any competition, nor mugging up , no rat race , no ridiculing , no enviousness . So could there be a more meaningful way of learnings? Everyone was simply in a blissful state of learning, each trying to better oneself from how one was day before and master the way of living life in a complete righteous manner.

Over the centuries, Varanasi soon became the main center of education and even till recently there have been hundreds of Gurukuls and Pathshalas .

The same situation remained in Bengal and Nashik and many cities of South India. In the era of Indian national and cultural renaissance beginning in the 19th century, many Gurukuls were established on the tradition of ancient Gurukuls and they had a significant contribution in the spread of nationalism. Until the Britishers came , ancient vedic education was very popular. C@Rg

Fast forward to this century and we are in times where education system in Bharat is no longer our’s. It maybe more advanced for many but in reality is forced upon us from the western culture. Improved gadgets, teachers, plethora of extra curricular activities, sports etc. But What is not ours ,how can it be of any good to us ? Thought to ponder.

Despite the various other pitfalls of the new enforced education system ,the worst is it has conditioned everyone’s mind into believing that one is constantly in competition with all others , thereby cultivating all the wrong traits in ones’ personality: such as jealousy, stress ,anger, depression ,anxiety and malpractice. Everyone seems to be a part of this mindless competitive rat race and it is no hidden secret , that due to unnecessary pressure and stress, from peers, parents ,teachers and society -has led to mental and physical ill health of the children . – where as all that they need is learning righteously & ethically and stress free in a happy mode. How difficult can that be? Our childhood was not like that- why should their’s be?

Today’s children despite of being in the lap of family’s comfort, love, care , pampering, attention & support in excess yet lack the emotional and psychological strength. Ever wondered why the endurance levels are so low ? Are they really being trained to face the world, build on a strong persona, manage their relationships, or life in general? OR is the focus just too much on academics and score? and thats where all the problem begins. One bad result and they have the most dangerous thoughts. Why should they be conditioned to pursue a career in one field when in reality they could be multitalented and honed accordingly to enable to use his or her’s intellect and high intuitive sense in other aspects of life as well.

CURRENT SCENARIO: What looks like a gleam of hope now is the renewed interest in our ancient education system by various sections of society. Simplicity of living, a strict schedule and respect for the teacher, are principles emphasized at a gurukul. Equality and independence is pressed upon the students by having all of them clean and pick up after themselves. Spirituality is inculcated upon the students through prayer, yoga and meditation. In today’s world, this can help children reduce stress and anxiety. Bharat’s ancient vedic education is more than just an education system, it is a way of living. This focus on all-round personality development is an attractive aspect and is much much needed for todays & future generation of children.C@Rg

People around India have taken on the effort to bring back these philosophies of ancient gurukuls. Privately funded gurukuls have sprung up around the country. They take in students on a residential basis. Spirituality and traditional values are of importance in these institutes. The accommodation and food are usually simple and basic, as they would be in ancient times. Parents often pick these for children stressed by the burden of the modern educational system. C@Rg

Om Shantidhama’s Vedic Gurukul – in Bangalore’s Kanakpura district,,Hemachandra Sanskrit Pathshala – gurukul in Ahmedabad are a few options. Maharashtra’s Kaneri district and Jodhpur in Rajasthan also have gurukuls run by religious trusts.

Countries such as Britain , Germany, America ,Australia , Austria ,Belgium , Denmark , Finland , Italy , Netherland , Russia , China , Sweden, Norway, Switzerland , Japan , Singapore , Bhutan , Nepal, Malaysia , Srilanka through out the world have SANSKRIT as part of their curriculum at schools and universities for decades now ….And Seton Hall University USA has made it compulsory the study of ”BHAGVAD GITA” for all its Management students . Have we ever wondered why is it not compulsory in our education system ?

Although our generation and next have studied Sanskrit in schools yet we rarely come across anyone reading, writing, speaking Sanskrit or anyone who pursues a career in Sanskrit . Then ,what after 30 years from now ? Who knows what the future would be like -perhaps the world will be proficient in Sanskrit and may claim it as their language whereas we Bhartiy’s may be inept to defend it as our own. Scary? But a serious THOUGHT TO PONDER over.

Somewhere there is a missing link or perhaps an enormous gap and hence the need to reverse and go back to our ancient system of education ‘the Gurukul’ is the need of the hour. Although the system of ancient Gurukuls may take a while to be re-established in modern terms, their ideals can definitely be adopted with necessary changes. While it may not seem practical to many but certainly a return to Vedic education by incorporating it ,maybe a healthy balance of traditional Vedic system and modern education is a panacea that the Indian education system needs?

Let us collectively, bit by bit try and revive our ancient education system thereby building a better stronger and a positive generation. And yes, if you are worrying about your kids facing the global world, be assured our kids will be geared with more knowledge than ever before to take the world head on!!!

Author Rekha Gupta