VARNASRAMA VARNASRAMA EDUCATIONEDUCATION

Author : HH RP Bhakti Raghava SwamiE-Mail : Bhakti.Raghava.Swami@pamho.net Date Produced : September 29, 2010Editor : Srimati Vrinadavan Lila d.d.Serial No : 8 of 54

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VARNASRAMA VARNASRAMA EDUCATIONEDUCATION

KRISHNA-BALARAMA KRISHNA-BALARAMA

EDUCATION IS LIFE!EDUCATION IS LIFE!LIFE IS EDUCATION!LIFE IS EDUCATION!

GURUKULA BOYSGURUKULA BOYSRecess timeRecess time Taking a swimTaking a swim

VARNASRAMAVARNASRAMA Meeting 4 NeedsMeeting 4 Needs

CONTENTSCONTENTS   A. What is Varnasrama?A. What is Varnasrama?

B. What is Education?B. What is Education?   C. What is Varnasrama Education?C. What is Varnasrama Education?   D. Five Pillars of EducationD. Five Pillars of Education

A. WHAT IS A. WHAT IS VARNASRAMA?VARNASRAMA?

The word The word varnasramavarnasrama is divided into: (1) is divided into: (1) varnavarna (social order) and (2) (social order) and (2) asrama asrama (spiritual order). The four social orders (spiritual order). The four social orders are the intellectual class are the intellectual class (brahmana)(brahmana), , the administrative class the administrative class (ksatriya)(ksatriya), the , the productive class productive class (vaisya)(vaisya) and the worker and the worker class class (sudra)(sudra). The four spiritual orders . The four spiritual orders are that of renounced life (sannyasa), are that of renounced life (sannyasa), retired life (retired life (vanaprasthavanaprastha), married life ), married life (grihastha) and student life (grihastha) and student life (brahmacarya). (brahmacarya).

SANATANA DHARMASANATANA DHARMA

Sanatana Sanatana refers to that which is refers to that which is eternal while eternal while dharmadharma refers to one's refers to one's original nature, quality or duty.original nature, quality or duty.

DHARMA DHARMA IN TWO FEATURESIN TWO FEATURES

In the Vedic literatures In the Vedic literatures varnasamavarnasama is is often connected with the word often connected with the word dharmadharma. The expression . The expression ““varnasrama varnasrama dharmadharma”” is also sometimes referred to is also sometimes referred to as as ““sanatana dharmasanatana dharma””. This . This ““sanatana sanatana dharmadharma”” is also known as is also known as ““bhagavata-bhagavata-dharmadharma”” the wordthe word ““BhagavanBhagavan”” referring to God or Lord Sri Krishnareferring to God or Lord Sri Krishna

VANASRAMA DHARMAVANASRAMA DHARMA

The eternal The eternal dharmadharma of the spirit soul of the spirit soul when situated at the level of when situated at the level of ““conditioned soulconditioned soul”” (baddha jIva),(baddha jIva), being influenced by the three modes being influenced by the three modes of material nature, is called of material nature, is called varnasrama dharmavarnasrama dharma..

BHAGAVATA-DHARMABHAGAVATA-DHARMA

The eternal The eternal dharmadharma of the spirit soul of the spirit soul when situated at the level of when situated at the level of ““liberated soulliberated soul”” (mukta jiva), (mukta jiva), is called is called bhagavata-dharmabhagavata-dharma or pure or pure devotional service to Lord Krishna.devotional service to Lord Krishna.

DAIVA -VANASRAMADAIVA -VANASRAMA When all four When all four varnasvarnas and four and four

asramasasramas are performed in unalloyed are performed in unalloyed devotional service to the lord, the devotional service to the lord, the system ofsystem of varnasrama dharma varnasrama dharma becomes known as the (divine) becomes known as the (divine) daiva-varnasramadaiva-varnasrama dharma dharma, thus , thus enabling one to once again attain to enabling one to once again attain to the status of liberated soul.the status of liberated soul.

B. WHAT IS EDUCATION?B. WHAT IS EDUCATION? Education is that which deals with the acquisition, Education is that which deals with the acquisition,

cultivation and dissemination of true knowledge. cultivation and dissemination of true knowledge. [Bhagavad-gita 7.2][Bhagavad-gita 7.2] True knowledge means to True knowledge means to understand the difference between matter and understand the difference between matter and spirit, the origin of both and the relationship spirit, the origin of both and the relationship between them all. Knowledge has also been between them all. Knowledge has also been explained in the Vedic literatures as that which explained in the Vedic literatures as that which awakens one to the reality of matter (body, mind) awakens one to the reality of matter (body, mind) and life (spirit) encompassing 5 levels of and life (spirit) encompassing 5 levels of consciousness (consciousness (anna-maya, prana-maya, anna-maya, prana-maya, jnana-maya,jnana-maya, vijnana-maya vijnana-maya and and ananda-ananda-mayamaya). [). [Taittiriya Upanisad 2.9Taittiriya Upanisad 2.9]]

THREE TYPES OF THREE TYPES OF ““VIDYÄVIDYÄ”” In Sanskrit, knowledge is known as In Sanskrit, knowledge is known as ““jnanajnana

mm ”” or or ““vidyavidya””. There are three types of . There are three types of ““vidyavidya””:: 1. 1. Para vidya:Para vidya: knowledge revealed directly knowledge revealed directly

from God (from God (srutisruti) found in the Vedic literatures.) found in the Vedic literatures.

2. 2. Apara vidyaApara vidya:: knowledge revealed through knowledge revealed through self-realized souls (self-realized souls (smritismriti), found in the Vedas.), found in the Vedas.

3. 3. AvidyaAvidya:: knowledge outside the Vedas. knowledge outside the Vedas.

EDUCATION AS FORMAL, EDUCATION AS FORMAL, NON-FORMAL, INFORMALNON-FORMAL, INFORMAL Education is categorized as formal, non-formal Education is categorized as formal, non-formal

and informal. and informal. 1. 1. Formal education: Formal education: long-term studies long-term studies

generally limited to those more intellectually generally limited to those more intellectually inclined.inclined.

2. 2. Non formal:Non formal: vocational or apprenticeship vocational or apprenticeship training for skills, trades or manual occupations.training for skills, trades or manual occupations.

3. 3. Informal education:Informal education: knowledge one knowledge one acquires in the course of oneacquires in the course of one’’s daily life and s daily life and general activities. general activities.

C. VARNASRAMA C. VARNASRAMA EDUCATIONEDUCATION

VarnasramaVarnasrama education education refers to the refers to the systems of systems of varnavarna and and asramaasrama as a self-as a self-contained educational institutioncontained educational institution based based on the Vedic teachings which lead individuals on the Vedic teachings which lead individuals and society at large towards the perfection of and society at large towards the perfection of life, i. e. individual and social emancipation. life, i. e. individual and social emancipation. It takes into account the fullness of the living It takes into account the fullness of the living entity, fulfilling his physical needs, his entity, fulfilling his physical needs, his emotional, intellectual and social needs, as emotional, intellectual and social needs, as well as his spiritual needs.well as his spiritual needs.

AGRARIAN BASED AGRARIAN BASED SOCIETYSOCIETY

This system of This system of varnavarna and and asramaasrama is best is best practiced within an agrarian based society where practiced within an agrarian based society where life remains simple and time can be given for self-life remains simple and time can be given for self-realization. Economic development no longer realization. Economic development no longer remains the main obsession or preoccupation of remains the main obsession or preoccupation of individuals and society. One should not wrongly individuals and society. One should not wrongly conclude, however, that automatically individuals conclude, however, that automatically individuals will become poor and that society will revert to will become poor and that society will revert to primitiveness. Traditional village life was valued primitiveness. Traditional village life was valued and still remains ideal in all respects, including and still remains ideal in all respects, including the material aspects.the material aspects.

VARNAVARNA EDUCATION EDUCATION

Varna Varna education is based on education is based on

““aptitude based learningaptitude based learning”” which which leads toleads to

““aptitude based occupationaptitude based occupation””. .

ASRAMAASRAMA EDUCATION EDUCATION AsramaAsrama education teaches education teaches ““phased lifelong learningphased lifelong learning””, ,

from gradual awakening of consciousness from gradual awakening of consciousness to to ““self-realizationself-realization””, , culminating in culminating in ““Krishna consciousnessKrishna consciousness””..Varnasrama education is meant to be Varnasrama education is meant to be

the norm and standard in societythe norm and standard in society..

D. FIVE PILLARS OF D. FIVE PILLARS OF EDUCATIONEDUCATION

   1. Definition1. Definition 2. Disposition2. Disposition 3. Delivery3. Delivery 4. Design4. Design 5. Direction5. Direction

1. DEFINITION1. DEFINITION

Actual education means the Actual education means the simultaneous cultivation of simultaneous cultivation of jnanamjnanam (phenomenal) and (phenomenal) and vijnanamvijnanam (numinous) knowledge through formal, (numinous) knowledge through formal, non-formal and informal practices.non-formal and informal practices.

Bhagavad-gita 7.2Bhagavad-gita 7.2

2. DISPOSITION2. DISPOSITION

A correct education entails that both the A correct education entails that both the teacher and the student must teacher and the student must demonstrate specific traits or qualities. demonstrate specific traits or qualities.

A qualified A qualified teacherteacher displays displays 9 basic qualities.9 basic qualities.

A qualified A qualified studentstudent displays displays 3 basic qualities.3 basic qualities.

QUALITIES OF TEACHERQUALITIES OF TEACHER1.1. SamahSamah peacefulnesspeacefulness2.2. DamahDamah self-control self-control 3.3. TapahTapah austerity austerity 4.4. SaucamSaucam purity purity 5.5. KsantihKsantih tolerance tolerance 6.6. ArjavamArjavam honesty honesty 7.7. JnanamJnanam knowledge knowledge 8.8. VijnanamVijnanam wisdomwisdom9.9. AstikyamAstikyam religiousness religiousness

Bhagavad-gita 18.42Bhagavad-gita 18.42

1. peacefulness, 2. self-control, 3. austerity, 4. purity, 5. tolerance, 6. honesty, 7. 1. peacefulness, 2. self-control, 3. austerity, 4. purity, 5. tolerance, 6. honesty, 7. knowledge, 8. wisdom and 9. religiousness. [knowledge, 8. wisdom and 9. religiousness. [Bhagavad-gitäBhagavad-gitä18.42] Similarly, a qualified 18.42] Similarly, a qualified student must have 3 qualities: 1) submission, 2) inquiry and 3) service. [student must have 3 qualities: 1) submission, 2) inquiry and 3) service. [Bhagavad-gétäBhagavad-gétä 4.34] Thus, education should only be offered to individuals who demonstrate proper 4.34] Thus, education should only be offered to individuals who demonstrate proper motivation as well as natural ability and proper inclination. In light of the above, we should motivation as well as natural ability and proper inclination. In light of the above, we should understand knowledge and education to be a privilege rather than a right.understand knowledge and education to be a privilege rather than a right.

TEACHING MRDANGATEACHING MRDANGA

QUALITIES OF STUDENTQUALITIES OF STUDENT

1) 1) pranipatpranipat submission submission 2) prasna2) prasna inquiry inquiry 3) seva3) seva service service

Bhagavad-gitaBhagavad-gita 4.34 4.34

Happy to Attend SchoolHappy to Attend School

3. DELIVERY3. DELIVERY The ideal environment which fosters The ideal environment which fosters

lifelong education and which provides lifelong education and which provides the best training and education to all the best training and education to all individuals is the scientifically planned individuals is the scientifically planned village social structure. Such village village social structure. Such village organization, established on the organization, established on the principles of Vedic architecture principles of Vedic architecture (Vastu-(Vastu-sastra)sastra), helps individuals elevate , helps individuals elevate themselves to the mode of goodness and themselves to the mode of goodness and beyond.beyond.

BOARDING SCHOOLBOARDING SCHOOL

Training and education are best Training and education are best conducted within a boarding system conducted within a boarding system where both the teacher and the where both the teacher and the student live together, as opposed to student live together, as opposed to the formal modern day the formal modern day ““schoolingschooling”” system.system.

FREE EDUCATIONFREE EDUCATION Since knowledge is meant to be shared Since knowledge is meant to be shared

or given as a gift, the teacher performs or given as a gift, the teacher performs his service without a salary.his service without a salary.

The Vedic traditional educational The Vedic traditional educational system advocates free education. At system advocates free education. At the end of his education, the student the end of his education, the student will offer some will offer some dakshinadakshina (gift) to his (gift) to his teacher, according to his means.teacher, according to his means.

4. DESIGN4. DESIGN

According to Vedic culture, by According to Vedic culture, by definition and purpose, the systems of definition and purpose, the systems of

varnavarna ( (aptitude-based learningaptitude-based learning) and ) and asramaasrama ( (phased life-long educationphased life-long education) ) are in themselves complete and are in themselves complete and

scientific educational institutionsscientific educational institutions. .

Bhagavad-gita 16 1-3Bhagavad-gita 16 1-3

VEDIC CURRICULUMVEDIC CURRICULUM Varna Varna and and asrama asrama education provide education provide

complete knowledge to all its members complete knowledge to all its members based on methodology and based on methodology and Vedic Vedic curriculum curriculum corresponding to each corresponding to each varnavarna and each and each asramaasrama. This education and . This education and training encompass both the material training encompass both the material and spiritual spheres, the foundation of and spiritual spheres, the foundation of which is the practice of which is the practice of sadhana-bhaktisadhana-bhakti or practical devotion to God.or practical devotion to God.

5. DIRECTION5. DIRECTION The ultimate aimThe ultimate aim of all education and of all education and

knowledge is to help individuals, and knowledge is to help individuals, and society at large advance towards self-society at large advance towards self-realization and God realization and God consciousness/consciousness/Krishna consciousnessKrishna consciousness..

Education and knowledge, devoid of such Education and knowledge, devoid of such objective, are incomplete and imperfect. objective, are incomplete and imperfect.

Bhagavad-gitaBhagavad-gita 18 64.65.66 18 64.65.66

REAL EDUCATIONREAL EDUCATION Those who engage in the culture of nescient Those who engage in the culture of nescient

activities shall enter into the darkest region of activities shall enter into the darkest region of ignorance. Worse still are those engaged in the ignorance. Worse still are those engaged in the culture of so-called knowledge.culture of so-called knowledge.

[Sri Isopanisad, Mantra 9][Sri Isopanisad, Mantra 9]

Thus the aim of real education should be self-Thus the aim of real education should be self-realization, realization of the spiritual values of realization, realization of the spiritual values of the soul. Any education which does not lead to the soul. Any education which does not lead to such realization must be considered avidya, or such realization must be considered avidya, or nescience. [Purport by Srila Prabhupada]nescience. [Purport by Srila Prabhupada]

& & BE HAPPYBE HAPPY

CHANT HARE CHANT HARE KRISHNAKRISHNA

ABOUT THE AUTHORABOUT THE AUTHORName HH RP Bhakti Raghava SwamiAge and Gender 70, Male Country/Province of Origin Canada, Ontario

Educational Degree and Year B.A, 1968, M.Ed., 2004 Educational Institutions Ottawa University

State University of Yogyakarta

Professional Work/Experience Social Worker/CounselorAffiliation with ISKCON Since 1974Present Service in ISKCON Minister, IDVM-India

HH RP Bhakti Raghava Swami

Thank you and

All the best