1. WHAT IS VARRAMA?

The word varrama is divided into: (1) vara (social order) and (2) rama (spiritual order). The four social orders are the intellectual class (brhmaa), the administrative class (katriya), the productive class (vaiya) and the worker class (dra). The four spiritual orders are that of renounced life (sannysa), retired life (vnaprastha), married life (ghastha) and student life (brahmacarya). In the Vedic literatures varrama is often connected with the word dharma. The expression varrama dharma is also sometimes referred to as santana dharma. This santana dharma is also known as bhgavata-dharma the word Bhagavn referring to God or Lord Sri Krishna Santana refers to that which is eternal while dharma refers to ones original nature, quality or duty. The eternal dharma of the spirit soul when situated at the level of liberated soul (mukta jva), is called bhgavata-dharma or pure devotional service to Lord Krishna. The eternal dharma of the spirit soul when situated at the level of conditioned soul (baddha jva), being influenced by the three modes of material nature, is called varrama dharma. When all four varnas and four rama are performed in unalloyed devotional service to the Lord, the system of varrama dharma becomes known as daiv (divine)-varrama dharma, thus enabling one to once again attain to the status of liberated soul. In essence, both in the liberated and conditioned stage, the aspect of santana is present, either bhgavata-dharma (pure

devotion of the liberated soul) or varrama dharma (mixed devotion of the conditioned soul). Depending on the context, dharma may thus refer to material or spiritual duties. The needs of an embodied living entity are three: body, mind and soul. Varrama aims at nurturing all three.

vocational or apprenticeship training for skills, trades or manual occupations while informal education refers to whatever knowledge one acquires in the course of ones daily life and general activities.

3. VARRAMA EDUCATION
Varrama education refers to the systems of vara and rama as a selfcontained educational institution based on the Vedic teachings which lead individuals and society at large towards the perfection of life, i. e. individual and social emancipation. It takes into account the fullness of the living entity, fulfilling his physical needs, his emotional, intellectual and social needs, as well as his spiritual needs. This system of vara and rama is best practiced within an agrarian based society where life remains simple and time can be given for self-realization. Economic development no longer remains the main obsession or preoccupation of individuals and society. One should not wrongly conclude, however, that automatically individuals will become poor and that society will revert to primitiveness. Traditional village life was valued and still remains ideal in all respects, including the material aspects. Vara education is based on aptitude based learning which leads to aptitude based occupations. rama education teaches phased lifelong learning, from gradual awakening of consciousness to full self-realization. Varrama education is meant to be the norm and standard in society.

2. WHAT IS EDUCATION?
Education is that which deals with the acquisition, cultivation and dissemination of true knowledge. [Bhagavad-gt 7.2] True knowledge means to understand the difference between matter and spirit, the origin of both and the relationship between them all. Knowledge has also been explained in the Vedic literatures as that which awakens one to the reality of matter (body, mind) and life (spirit) encompassing 5 levels of consciousness (anna-maya, pra-maya, jna-maya, vijna-maya and nanda-maya). [Taittirya Upaniad 2.9] In Sanskrit, knowledge is known as jnam or vidy. There are three types of vidy: par vidy, apar vidy and avidy. Par vidy refers to knowledge revealed directly from God (ruti) found in the Vedic literatures. Apar vidy refers to knowledge revealed through self-realized souls (smti), also found in the Vedic literatures. All knowledge outside the purview of the Vedic literatures is referred to as avidy. Education is categorized as formal, non-formal and informal. Formal education entails taking up long-term studies and is generally limited to those more naturally inclined for such studies or the more intellectual. Non-formal education refers to

4. FIVE PILLARS OF EDUCATION

The five pillars of training and education cover: 1. Definition, 2. Disposition, 3. Delivery, 4. Design, and 5. Direction. 1. DEFINITION: Actual education means the simultaneous cultivation of jnam (phenomenal) and vijnam (numinous) knowledge through formal, non-formal and informal practices. [Bhagavad-gita 7.2] 2. DISPOSITION: A correct education entails that both the teacher and the student must demonstrate specific traits. A qualified teacher must display 9 basic qualities: 1. peacefulness, 2. self-control, 3. austerity, 4. purity, 5. tolerance, 6. honesty, 7. knowledge, 8. wisdom and 9. religiousness. [Bhagavadgit18.42] Similarly, a qualified student must have 3 qualities: 1) submission, 2) inquiry and 3) service. [Bhagavad-gt 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 understand knowledge and education to be a privilege rather than a right. 3. DELIVERY: The ideal environment which fosters lifelong education and which provides the best training and education to all individuals is the scientifically planned village social structure. Such village organization, established on the principles of Vedic architecture (Vastu-stra), helps individuals elevate themselves to the mode of goodness and beyond. Training and education are best conducted within a boarding system where both the teacher and the student live

together, as opposed to the formal modern day schooling system. 4. DESIGN: According to Vedic culture, by definition and purpose, the systems of vara (aptitude-based learning) and rama (phased life-long education)] are in themselves complete and scientific educational institutions. [Bhagavad-gt 16 1-3] They provide both training and education to all their members based on methodology and Vedic curriculum corresponding to each vara and each rama. This education and training encompass both the material and spiritual spheres, the foundation of which is the practice of sdhana-bhakti or practical devotion to God. 5. DIRECTION: The ultimate aim of all education and knowledge is to help individuals, and society at large advance towards self-realization and God consciousness. Education and knowledge, devoid of such objective, are incomplete and imperfect. [Bhagavad-gt 18 64.65.66]

VARRAMA EDUCATION

CONTENT 1. What is Varrama? 2. What is Education? 3. Varrama Education 4. Five Pillars of Education ******************************** *Education is Life*Life is Education* ********************************
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