Latest news with #Gurukulam
Time of India
6 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Gurukulam revival: Recreating the foundations of Indian Education
Credit: Istock India's ancient system of education, the Gurukulam, was never simply about learning. It was about sharing wisdom, imparting discipline, and building human character in balance with nature and the self. In an age when education is all about markets and measures, the gentle resurgence of the Gurukulam model is a compelling counter-trend: not backward, but restorative. In recreating the Gurukulam, we are not doing so out of mere nostalgia. We are awakening a timeless principle that continues to be relevant to this very day. This system of education, conceived by our rishis and formalized in the yogic system by Sage Patanjali, is based on self-realization, humility, and the love of truth. Education as inner mastery Sage Patanjali, in his Yoga Sutras, established the premise for an integral life philosophy wherein the mind (citta) has to be purified and cleansed so that one may attain real knowledge. The second very sutra of his book describes yoga as "yogas citta-vrtti-nirodhah", the stopping of the fluctuations of the mind. Education in this vision does not mean accumulation of information but developing mental alertness, equanimity, and moral living. The Gurukulam aligns seamlessly with organisations like Patanjali's ideals. The emphasis on meditation, silence, discipline (niyama), and ethical values (yama) ensures that learning is not divorced from life. The student doesn't just 'study' under a guru; they live, serve, observe, and transform in the guru's presence. The Gurukulam becomes both a school and a sanctuary. This is not an escape from the modern world but a return to essence, cultivating young minds with quiet in a world filled with noise. A cultural imperative, not a business trend In contrast with institutionalized education that tends to compartmentalize learning and values, the Gurukulam upraises both together. Sanskrit chanting, yogic sadhana, seva (selfless service), and routine rituals are all used as means of character-building just as much as mind-building. It must be stressed that this revival is not being thrust through showy campaigns or corporate systems. It's happening quietly, in forests, ashrams, and spirituality retreats, driven by honesty and a desire to preserve what is sacred. Lives touched: Voices from within the revival This living tradition is already having a transformative impact, particularly on families and teachers who have fully engaged in the revitalised gurukulam experience. Prema Pathak; Homemaker " My children are not only growing in wisdom, but in grace and inner confidence. They've begun waking up early, practicing yoga with enthusiasm, and chanting with all heart. The rhythm of the gurukulam has changed our entire family's way of life." Saroj Pandey; A Teacher "Here, teaching is a form of worship. We're not just imparting information; we're living it. Every student is treated as an individual on a path. I have never felt more in tune with my calling." The revival of Gurukulam is no project, no product, no trend. It is a going back, to dharma, to simplicity, to the essence of education. This is not about rejecting science or progress. It is about remembering who we are as a civilisation, and teaching our children to live, learn, and grow from that space of inner wisdom.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Ancient wisdom, modern awakening: Gurukul revives vedic learning in city
Nagpur: An ancient chapter in Indian education began at the quiet and spiritually charged atmosphere of Narayan Nagari at Waddhamna earlier this month. The formal inauguration of residential Shri Vedvidyavardhini Gurukulam recently marked a huge step towards reviving the traditional gurukul system of learning — an education model rooted in India's prodigious vedic past. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This serene ashram is not just an institution but a living embodiment of India's rich heritage. The Gurukul is led by 'Ahitagni' Vivek Pandharikar Guruji, a revered scholar who dedicated his life to preserving and nurturing the timeless gurukul tradition. For decades, he ran a small gurukul at his own residence. With the inauguration of this new premises, his life's mission now has a formal address. "In this gurukul, we teach them rig veda, yajur veda, sama veda and atharva veda, as per their sub-forms. Vedic hymns and mantras are recited and taught. Indian philosophy, sanskrit, dharma shastra, sanskar vidhi, yagya as per the scriptures are taught," says Pandharikar Guruji. What truly sets this gurukul apart is its non-commercial approach to education. There is no formal fee structure here. Admissions are based purely on the acumen and intelligence of a student — not on financial capacity. Students are accepted into the fold as shishyas, and as per tradition, they offer 'guru dakshina' only at the completion of their education, not during the course of study. All praise for the Gurukulam, Swami Gunanand Maharaj of Ramakrishna Mission, Nagpur, called it "a sacred space where shishyas get ancient experience of knowledge with ayurvedic lifestyle. They get an opportunity to serve 'go mata' and learn life lessons. They also learn law, niti, yoga, and meditation, which will benefit them for life". The spiritual and educational practices at the Gurukulam reflect a strict adherence to vedic traditions. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Young students, some leaving their homes at a tender age, immerse themselves in an ashram life that begins at dawn with sandhyavandan, agnihotra, recitations, dhyana, and abhyasa. Dressed in traditional attire with their hair tied in the ancient 'shikha' style, they live simply, learning not just scriptures but a holistic way of life. The head guru of the Gurukulam is vedmurti Satish Kulkarni, while Abhishek Dubey, Kavita Joshi, and Shashimohan Joshi handle Sanskrit instruction and other aspects of the curriculum. The Gurukulam currently houses 29 students, each embarking on a unique path of disciplined learning, spiritual growth, and cultural immersion.
Hans India
28-04-2025
- General
- Hans India
Sathya Sai Gurukulam receives excellence award
Rajamahendravaram: Sri Sathya Sai Gurukulam, an educational institution known for offering free education and imparting human values, has been honoured with the 'Excellency in Educational Standards Adaptability and Implementation Award'. The award was presented during a ceremony organised by Beginup Ventures India on April 25 in Bengaluru. Speaking to the media, Sri Sathya Sai Gurukulam Correspondent Ayodhula Shyamasundar and Principal K Guravaiah expressed their happiness at the achievement. They proudly noted that their Gurukulam is one of only two schools from Andhra Pradesh to receive this prestigious recognition. They credited the award to the divine blessings of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba and the collective efforts of teachers and students. The institution pledged to continue striving for even greater achievements in the future, inspired by this honour.
