IN THE GLORY OF TRADITIONAL INDIAN EDUCATION SYSTEM

In the Guru- Shishya parampara, the very word of Guru was Brahm Waqua (czã okD;) that
was enough for the disciples.In the Indian Education System those values have been eclipsed which
resulted so many social abuses, broken relations and loss of morality.
Education in early India, strongly emphasised on the spiritual values. In the golden age of India
along with prosperity, values were also alive.
Education is not for personality development alone but for shaping person in totality. A person in
totality shall excel in every walk of life, be in patriotism, nature care, simplicity, morality and so on.
Early education system followed oral tradition of communication. In that there was strong desire
to learn and achieve the higher goal in life.
Aaruni and Eklavya were some of the best example of that system. Aaruni followed the guru’s
direction in real sense and put his body to work as merh (boundary) in the field to stop erosion of crop.
Eklavya made a statue of guru Dronacharya and reached to excellence in archery despite refusal by the
guru. He proved his talent surpassing Arjun, the favourite of guru. The very concept of high regards for
teacher turned the potential energy of disciples into kinetic energy. Education system in guru – shishya
parampara was much evident in the Indian system till recent time. Students in village schools attended
their classes with handmade chatai (straw weaven carpet), kanda (a kind of man made pen of small
plants sarkanda), slate/pati (on which one can write) and other primitive things with a desire to learn
something from guru.
Till sometime back students begged in groups singing songs near the vicinity of the school and
take chanda (donations) from the society to support the income of the poor teacher. This system was
called chakchanda, which created a strong passion and desire for learning and teaching in pathshala
(school).
This system gradually vanished. The main reason is that education has been converted into a
business with advancement of urbanization. The pre-nursery, nursery and KG system admits child in
early stages. Education at this level is sold as a commodity and flood with too many books. It is eroding
the child’s curiosity and desire to know. This system does not care for the real needs of the student for
the knowledge but push the nascent child into learning machine. At times it creates unhealthy
competition and the basic instincts of learning. The teacher now appears as a ghost and teacher classify
students according to their grading. Schools of today are imparting technicalities and values required for.
But, there are still some missions like, Auroville, Chinmaya, Swamy Ramkrishan Paramhansa
missions etc still working by combining ancient and modern education system.
“Mirambika” - a primary school setup by Maharishi Aurobindo Ashram of New Delhi is
imparting knowledge to kids with the ancient system of learning, where a child has to interact with
models of different aspect and to learn the things gradually.
“Chinmaya Mission” and some other schools are imparting knowledge to many schools. These
schools work for synthesis of ancient and modern education system. Every school has a fixed curriculum
for boarding students. They have to perform havan by chanting mantras and perform pooja once or,
twice in a weak. They learn the basic values of Vedas and study modern syllabus with modern facilities.
This inspires and glows their heart and the children become an asset to the society.
Swamy Chinmayanand wrote in his article Svaprakasa Paramatma:

Uk r= lw;ksZ Hkkfr u pUnzrkjda

Uksek fo|rks HkkfUr dqrksv;efXu%A
Rkeso HkkUreuHkkfr loZ%
rL; Hkklk lokZfena foHkkfrA
Its means:

“Neither the sun nor the moon shines there, neither the stars nor the lighting shine, how then can
this fire? Everything shines after that light (of the self) alone; illuminated by that light all this shines”

The sunlight can illumine the surface of objects, it cannot illumine the objects inside, leave alone
the consciousness within us that illumines everything else. We become aware of the sunlight only
because of the light of consciousness. That which illumines even the sun must be much more powerful
than the sun.

The yoga, dhyan, havan performed in such schools across the country enlighten hearts.

Swamy chinmayanand further citing the Purana's, use poetic expressions like “thousand suns” to
explain this subtle idea of supreme consciousness to the ordinary person. With such a background you
mediate naturally you see a blinding light!

Thus, without a moral foundation, there, cannot be peace and tranquility. Outer progress must be,
and can only be, the reflection of the inner transformation. This is real essense of ancient Indian
education system. It must be absorbed in modern education system.

Vinod K Pandey
M.Sc., M Phil (C.W.) JNU
LLB- DU,
PGD (HRD) - IGNOU
GATE/JNU – UGC – Fellow
Phone : 9810240129

Brief introduction: After M.Sc.,(Botany) joined JNU. Then joined media as a columnist and written
many articles for saptahik Hindustan Hindustan Hindi daily, Nav Bharat Times, Sunday Mail, Chauthi
Duniya, Rastriya Sahara, Jansatta etc. Presently practicing as lawyer, Saket court.
 INDIAN CULTURE – BELIEVER IN
HUMANITY AND EQUALITY
RICH VS POOR

Mr. S S Miyan
Teacher & Social Activist

SIMILARITIES

1 The rich and the poor have same physiological needs i.e hunger, thirst, air to breathe.
2 They have same basic fundamental needs such as – education, security, housing, clothes, health
etc.
3 Fundamental duties are same.
4 Joys & sorrows are the common feelings, which both display in similar manner.
5 Attachment to children & siblings are common.
6 Both are born and die in the same manner.
7 Colour of the blood is same in all.
8 They celebrate same festival, & have same tradition & culture.
9 Both have same lust for materialistic things.
10 Both are afflicted with illness or diseases in similar manner.
11 Future dreams for both are same.
12 Both dream in same manner for betterment.
13 Fear of death is same for both of them.
14 Law and punishment is same for both in case of any crime or offence.
15 Nature’s calamities and blessings are common for both.
16 Birth and death for both are universal truth like that of point 6.
17 Mental abilities such as intelligence, wit, wisdom, humour, thought, aptitude etc. are found to be
common in both of them.
18 Strong belief in religion, God etc. for the fulfillment of needs and desires.
19 Both are affected by social problems such as communal violence, terrorist attacks (Hotel Taj in
Mumbai, Local train bomb blasts etc)
20 When they are under stress they easily indulge themselves in anti-social activities such as drug
addition to overcome etc.
21 Both have equal role to play in the democratic set up.
 DIFFERENCES
RICH POOR

1. The Rich have high living standard. 1. The Poor have low living standard
2. Rich use mineral(processed) water. 2. Poor use natural water at times contaminated.
3. Emotional out come level in rich is mechanical 3. Emotional outcome in poor is natural.
4. They can afford balanced and rich diet. 4. Poor lack balanced diet.
5. They live in bungalows (well built houses) 5. They live in poorly built houses and slums.
6. They can afford best medical facilities 6. They can access only poor medical facilities.
7. The Rich can spend huge amount of money 7. The Poor kill their wishes and desires due to
on their personal need. Lack of money.
8. The Rich have fear of losing a lot. 8. The Poor have less fear of losing things.
9. Rich can hardly bear hunger even once. 9. Poor can bear hunger, longer than rich people
10. Home for a rich means a luxury house with all 10. Home for a poor means a roof over his/ her
modern facilities. Head.
11. Priority of the rich is name & fame in 11. Priority of the poor is to get his/her stomach
addition to wealth. filled or at least three meals a day.
12. They can afford best education. 12. They cannot afford even primary education.
13. The child of rich gets all support from the 13. The child of poor has to support his/ her family
family. and also him/herself.
14. Society is more inclined and supportive to rich 14. Poor are generally neglected by the Society.
in all walks of life.
15. The Rich can afford huge amount of money to 15. Poor do not have money and time to look after
maintain their beauty and physical fitness. even their small children.
16. The rich get support to go ahead in life 16. The poor have to struggle more and work
harder to get ahead in life.
17. They select their nature of duty. 17. They can not select the nature of their duty.
18. Rich people are socially advantaged, can 18. Poor are socially disadvantaged and not able to
afford all facilities fulfill even their biological needs.
19. Rich people take balanced diet which leads to 19. Poor are mal/undernourished which leads to
brain development and better physical growth. many physical and mental disorders.
20. Rich people are ambitious and motivated to 20. The Poor are low on motivation and have lack
achieve their goals in the society which makes of socialization which makes them powerless.
them powerful.
21. Rich people have poor crowd tolerance and 21. Most poor people have big or joint families so,
adjustment ability because most of them live in they have better crowd tolerance and
nuclear/single family in big houses. adjustment ability.
 CONCLUSION
Supreme power has sent every kind of people on this earth i.e. we all are the sons and daughters
of that power. The only difference is that some are born in rich family whereas some in poor family; some
have taken birth in palace and some in slums /jhuggis, some have given birth in super speciality hospital
while some on the road or in agricultural field or in jungle etc. but after all we are human beings. So who
are we to discriminate each other? Without the help of poor people, rich can’t be richer year after year
and without the help of rich people, poor can’t survive i.e. both should respect the feelings of each other,
both should stand for the help of one another in case of any sorrows and happiness. We should respect
for the humanity.

Quote: Without poor labourers, a big factory can’t run, rich feel difficulty in cleaning their houses.
Without poor people, cities can’t be kept clean etc.

On this earth, each & every person has significant role to play due to which earth’s beauty is fully
maintained.

If there is rich – then there has be poor. If rich persons are not there how can we think about poor
and vice – versa?

As we share so many common features & feelings because of being the sons & daughters of
Supreme natural power, then is it not insane (madness) to discriminate among people? - merely on the
basis of wealth, a material thing. “To be born rich is an accident but to die one is an achievement”.
It is our moral duty to serve the poor, the weaker & the suppressed section of society that will help us to
become a useful member of the mother earth. It is not fair at all to be insensitive to the needs of common
rather poor people. Wealth is a material possession which alone can not give us contentment, but if a
meager part of it is utilized in the welfare of common people, it makes our life meaningful & gives
immense happiness, pleasure & contentment.