The system of Gurukul education was a residential education system that existed during ancient times where students resided at guru’s place and learnt everything that was used to decode solutions to the problems in real life. The Gurukul system of education was not subject centric, rather, it focused on the overall development of the students. The relationship between ‘Guru’ and ‘Sishya’ i.e. the Teacher and the Student was more than a “professional Service” centred relationship. The guru imparted knowledge of everything such as religion, sanskrit, scriptures, medicine, philosophy, literature, warfare, statecraft, astrology, history and many more. The education delivered in Gurukul was based on learningVedas, rules of sacrifice, grammar and derivation, understanding secrets of nature, logical reasoning, science and skills necessary for an occupation. The ancient education system in India worked on development of every aspect of one’s life and was the most unique and efficient education system in the whole wide world as it even persuaded students for the supreme goal of ‘Self Realisation’.
Prior to the British rule, Gurukul was the established education system in India. During Colonial times, the Britishers got aware that they need to build slaves and the Gurukul education system will come in their way. Hence, the British imported/ brought their modern education system for industrial era while systematically de- emphasising Vedic education and our education system.
There are official records of British surveyors in the 1800s about the state of education in India in the historic times. Noted Gandhian Dharampal authored a book ‘The Beautiful Tree’ describing the state of Indian education before the British demolished it completely.
Quoting from his book:- “The content of studies was better than what was then studied in England. The duration of study was more prolonged. The method of school teaching was superior and it is this very method which is said to have greatly helped the introduction of popular education in England but which had prevailed in India for centuries. School attendance, especially in the districts of the Madras Presidency, even in the decayed state of the period 1822-25, was proportionately far higher than the numbers in all variety of schools in England in 1800. The conditions under which teaching took place in the Indian schools were less dingy and more natural; and, it was observed, the teachers in the Indian schools were generally more dedicated and sober than in the English versions”
The present educational system seems to be devoid of the very essence of education, promoting mindless acquisition of knowledge to suit vocational pursuits. It can not be denied that the modern society and the education system faces serious shortcomings in terms of moral, ethical, and spiritual values. The condition is such that even though we have come a long way from attaining freedom, we are unconscious to see that the modern education is one of the impacts of slavery on our rich and solid ancient culture. A degree holder or a graduate in today’s times feels lost after giving his active years of life to his education. Students need to have supple minds that are capable of analytical thinking, while integrating complex core concepts that help them to evolve as human beings.Guruji has very well realised that this dilemma of the society will be solved only by reviving our Vedic culture and our ancient education system in India. It will not limit a person’s life to a subject of practice or vocational training, rather, create Modern Acharyas, who will be capable of excelling in any field they situate themselves. The Gurukul system will be efficient in making students excel in all fields of life, creating a perfect blend of academics and extra-curricular activities, making the educational journey remarkable.
It is Guruji’s ultimate goal to re-establish India’s most precious treasure i.e. its education system.Guruji refers to his Gurukul students as Modern Acharyas because they will be taught according to the needs of present times inculcating the knowledge Vedic and Yogic sciences with pedagogy of this era. These Modern Acharyas will be well versed with the language of Sanskrit as well as English making them deliver their knowledge and an extraordinary prospect in any given field. The Gurukul curriculum will prepare student to excel in all fields of life, creating a perfect blend of academics and extra-curricular activities, making the educational journey remarkable. At present, with parents becoming ambitious to make proud statements about their kids academic performance, students are driven by the feeling of animosity by competing with their peers. In order to replace the rank basedsystem, Gurukul will construct a value-based education system which will identify and promotes the uniqueness of each student, allowing them to excel in their area of interest.