VARNASRAMA SHIKASHALAYA

VARNASRAMA EDUCATION

Definition: Varnasrama education is the combined

social and educational system based on the teachings of the Vedic literature which lead individual and society at large towards the perfection of life, i.e. individual and social emancipation. It takes into account the living entity as a whole, fulfilling his physical, emotional, intellectual, and social needs, along with his spiritual needs.

Shastric quotes on Education

śrī-nārada uvācabrahmacārī guru-kulevasan dānto guror hitamācaran dāsavan nīcogurau sudrdha-sauhrdah (cf. SB 7:12:1)

TRANSLATION:Nārada Muni said: A student should practice completely

controlling his senses. He should be submissive and should have an attitude of firm friendship for the spiritual master. With a great vow, the brahmacārī should live at the guru-kula, only for the benefit of the guru.

Sve sve karmany abhiratahsamsiddhim labhate narahsva-karma-niratah siddhimyathā vindati tac chrnu (cf. Bhagavad Gita, 18:45)TRANSLATION:By following his qualities of work, every man can become perfect. Now please hear from Me how this can be done.

śreyān sva-dharmo vigunahpara-dharmāt sv-anusthitātsvabhāva-niyatam karmakurvan nāpnoti kilbisam(cf. Bhagavad Gita, 18:47)TRANSLATION:It is better to engage in one's own occupation, even though one may perform it imperfectly, than to accept another's occupation and perform it perfectly. Duties prescribed according to one's nature are never affected by sinful reactions.

Modern Perspective on Education

Compulsory Education

So far as Gurukula is concerned, literary education is for the Brahminical class, not for

all. Others should learn by seeing, like the ksatriyas, vaisyas, and sudras. Just like driving

a bullock cart; it doesn't require education. Modern so-called education is simply a waste of time producing hippies. Shameless! Why compulsory education? To make hippies—

compulsory education to degrade. So it is very fortunate that there is no compulsory

education required by the state of Mississippi.

Co-Education

Therefore Vedic civilization is, from the very beginning, to train the boys to become brahmacäré, celibacy. Not that modern days, the schools,

boys and girls, ten years, twelve years, they're enjoying. The brain is spoiled.

They cannot understand higher things. The brain tissues are lost. So without becoming brahmacäré,

nobody can understand spiritual life.

Commercializing Education

We never say that. But these so-called teachers who first of all bargain for a

salary—"What salary will you give me?"—that is a dog's concern. That is

not a brähmaëa's concern. A brähmaëa will never ask about a

salary. A brähmaëa is eager to see that people are educated. "Take free

education and be educated; be a human being"—this is a brähmaëa's concern: You see? I came here not to

ask for any money but to give instruction.

competitive

Giving rise to Envy, pride ,frustration

Ultimately bad character

That is the general education. It doesn't require that you have to

learn some book immediately. No. First of all build your character.

Otherwise what is the use of taking degrees if you have no character?

Missing the Spiritual dimension

“the modern educational system has no department for teaching

about consciousness or the spirit soul, although this knowledge is

the most important.“- Srila Prabhupada

The Real Story

Making into an ass

Don't spoil your children. The modern educational system without any knowledge of

Bhagavän, I may tell you frankly, not only in India, everywhere, they

are practically slaughterhouse. Srila Prabhupada (Delhi pandal,lecture, nov, 1971)

Modern schools are slaughterhouses- Srila Prabhupada

The Prahläda Mahäräja recommends, kaumära äcaret präjïo dharmän

bhägavatän iha [SB 7.6.1]. This is very, very important

message. We should be careful to educate our sons, our boys, with bhägavata-

dharma from the very beginning of life. That was the Vedic system

Traditional system of education

Formal- Gurukulas

Nonformal - Village technologies

Informal- Homeschooling

Why parents are not showing interest in traditional education ?

Ignorant of the dangers of the modern schools Have no information about the traditional education

Wrong propaganda of compulsory education Misconceptions about the traditional system of education

Material sense gratification as the goal of life not realizing the self realization as the goal of life

Urbanization considering life in a village as backward

Sudras or less than sudras leading the society brahminical culture on the verge of extinction

Cows slaughter general masses neglecting the consumption of milk products of the cow……………………….

The status of some Modern Gurukulas (in other organizations)

Sri Vaishnava Gurukulas

Generally the focus is on Brahminical training, which is further narrowed down to mantra chanting. Does not address other Varnas.

Swami Narayan GurkulasWhat’s missing?

Not purely traditional or Vedic (name sake a gurukula, stick to modern system of education only) and also are commercial.

ISKCON Gurukula

Focussed on Brahminical training

What more to be done?* Training of varnas based on screening results* Developing training programs considering other varnas requirements

• The traditional gurukula system of schooling has to be introduced every where

• parents have to be convinced • Many unanswered questions

***************************************meanwhile children are supposed to

become the victims of the modern schooling system (slaughter houses)

How can this shift from modern education system to traditional or vedic system be

accomplished??????

Contd-

An attempt to bring about this shift……

Varnasrama ShikshalayasVarnasrama Shikshalayas

Conceived by HH BHAKTI RAGHAVA SWAMI

Concept of varnasrama sikshalaya

A pre-gurukula system meant only for boys (5-12 years) exposing them to the activities of four varnas referring them as vedic knowledge, planning & administration, agriculture, & cow protection, and village technologies. The teacher maps the natural inclination of the students towards different activities and promotes them to relevant level of education and/ or training.

Features of Varnasrama Shikshalaya

• It will be for boys between 8-14 age group (Flexible in terms of age)

• It will be a runner up for Gurukula• Students will be screened based on aptitude based

learning leading to aptitude based occupation. • It will be established in an agrarian setting

Proposed Syllabus for Varnasarama sikshalaya

• Vedic education:i. Srila Prabhupad booksii. Ithihasas iii. Nithisastharasiv. Languages v. Vedic math's & sciences etc..

• Planning and administrationi. Leadership development workshopsii. Group discussions iii. Vedic sportsiv. Marshal artsv. Other planning and administrative skills etc..

• Agriculture and cow protectioni. Advantages of Vedic and traditional

method of agriculture, also practical activity

ii. Importance of cows , also practical activity

iii. Rudiments of Vedic economy

• Village technologiesi. Pottery ii. Weaving iii. Water lifting

techniques iv. Oil ghani etc..

What’s after sikshalaya training?

• Options i. Gurukuls for brahminically inclined and

varnasrama college for other three varnas’ needs

ii. Varnasrama college training four varnasiii. Vidayalayas, mahavidyalayas…

screening

• Astrology• Family lineage• Physcology• ObservationAre few considerations mentioned by Srila

Prabhupada .

Advantages of having Shikshalayas

• Students will get adapted to the Gurukula environment as it is a fore-runner for the same

• Students will get introduced to some spiritual and agrarian setting away from the current contaminated surroundings at a very tender age

Varnasrama Education Contd..

• In Varnasrama Vidyalaya Bhakti Shastri Course will be taught to the students

• In Varnasrama Vidyapeet Bhakti Vaibhava and Bhakti vedanta, Bhakti Sarvabhauma will be taught to the students

Attempts made … Varnasharama Sikshalayas in INDIA

• Varnasharama sikshalayas concepts have been introduced

in Andhra Pradesh 1. Gundaipalem(an adopted village by the Iskcon Varnasrama

ministry), praksham dist. 2. Pollasa village near Jagityal town , Karimnagar dist. 3. Eirajapally village, Nizamabad dist. 4. Wadlakonda village, in warangal dist.In West Bengal 1. village near Howrah city

Thank you

Hare Krishna !