Shiksha Vyavastha

Education system of Bharat: 

Bharat had a very unique Education System which was for life and not for livelihood. Even before the implementation of the Macaulay schools Bharat had 6,00,000+ “schools” across this country of 6,00,000 villages. Gurukuls, Acharaya Kulams, Veda Pattashalas, Agama Pattashalas and Viharas have been the mainstream units of education in Bharat. What is the difference between these? What was the curriculum taught? What was the syllabus? How were they different from the present schools? How was the ancient schooling system different from the present system? What was the age at with the child was sent to the Gurukul? At want age did the education get over? What was the statistics according to the British Survey of 1800AD to 1820AD.

“It is important to emphasize that indigenous education was carried out through Pathshalas and Gurukulas. Education in these traditional institutions—which were actually kept alive by revenue contributions by the community including illiterate peasants—was called shiksha (and included the ideas of prajna, shil and samadhi). These institutions were, in fact, the watering holes of the culture of traditional communities. Therefore, the term ‘school’ is a weak translation of the roles these institutions really played in Indian society.” – Shri Dharmpalji in the book “The Beautiful Tree”

The book “The Beautiful Tree” by Sri.Dhampalji contains a sea of information on all this. In this program I draw a lot from those facts. I have also been fortunate to interact with a 94 years old person in 1996 (He is no more but I still have the notes I made) and this person had spent 14 years in a Gurukulam. The introductory program takes about 2 hours and detailed workshop takes 8-10 hours. This can be done whole day or 3 hours a day for 3 days or over the weekend Sat & Sun.

Languages

Languages have been the means of communication amongst people for thousands of years. The oldest of languages (Samskrit) and the oldest surviving language (Tamil) both are from Bharat. This workshop deals with the basic difference between Indian languages and European languages. Language was not just a means of communication in Bharat but it also conveyed a lot more.

The languages of Bharath were designed in such a way that by talking them a person’s ego would be dissolved and one would drop doer-ship. For example if there is a burn on a person’s hand he/she will say in English ‘I burnt my hand’ whereas in any Bharathiya Bhasha it is Kannada ‘Nanna Kai suttu hoyithu’ meaning ‘My hand got burnt’. Tamizh ‘Yen kai chutt pochi’ meaning ‘My hand got burnt’. In Malayalam ‘Ende kai polli poie’ meaning ‘My hand got burnt’. Hindi ‘Mera haath jal gaya’ meaning ‘My hand got burnt’. You can observe that the language has a built in mechanism of dissolving the ego and doer-ship. Other than this the Bharathiya Aksharamala (Necklace of Alphabets) is very unique and meaningful. It tis necessary for one and all to understand how much more “Scientific” the Bharathiya Bhasha are.

Language also conveyed a lot of Vigjana to the people speaking these languages.  This workshop takes like 2.5 to 3 hours one evening.

Shastras Science & Technology of India

The Shastras basically were the source of pure science. The Shastras were understood through Shastrartha (Discussions). The applied part of the Shastras was called Tantragjnana (Technology).

The ‘Science’ as discussed in the ‘Shastras’ has not progressed since!! This is true and I shall elaborate why in my program. The technology ‘Tantragjnyana’ was in the hands of the Karigar (artisan community) of Bharath. How this technology was much better than the ‘Modern’ technology and the benefits of the ancient technology will be the subject matter which I shall deal in this workshop. This workshop contains a lot of take home things to enhance our life with simple things to practice in day-to-day life.

The list below of the Shastras will give an insight into the wide range of subjects and wide range of aspects of life covered by Shastras. The Shastras basically were the source of pure science. The Shastras were understood through Shastrartha (Discussions). The following are the Shastras which I have heard off.

1. Bhautika Shastra: Physical Science or Physics
2. Rasayana Shastra: Alchemy including Chemistry
3. Jeeva Shastra: Biology including Botany and Zoology
4. Shilpa Shastra: Civil Engineering, Architecture, Structural Engineering it also includes Vasthu and many other faculties.
5. Artha Shastra: Neethi-Statecraft (not Political Science), Arthvyavastha-Socio-Economic policy, Udhayama-Business, Vanijya-Commerce, Vyapara-Trade, Kararopana Neethi-Taxation Policy and Sainya Rachana Vidhya-Military Strategy.
6. Neeti Shastra: Neethi-Statecraft, Neethi Vidhya-Political Science, Prashasana-Administration and Kararopana Neethi-Taxation.
7. Bhoogola Shastra: Geography
8. Saamudrika Shastra: Palmistry, Phrenology & Face reading.
9. Saguna Shastra: the Science of Signs and Omens.
10. Jyotisha Shastra: Cosmology, Astronomy & Astrology
11. Dharma Shastra: The science of living life
12. Kama Shastra: The science of aesthetics and Sex
13. Vimana Shastra: The science of Aeronautics
14. Loha Shastra: The science of metallurgy and alloys 

In most cases these were extracted from various Shastras as one Shastra would deal with multiple subjects. Like the Puranas contain the Shrishtti Rahsya (The mystery of the formation of the universe) and the Bhoogola (Geography of the ‘Sapta Dweepas’ (Seven Continents).  

This workshop is on various aspects of subjects, specialisations and technology of Bharat. It takes about 8-10 hours, 2 days or 2 hours spread over 5-6 days depending on the interactions.

Knowledge bank of Bharat

Bharat had a huge bank of knowledge which consisted of the Apara and Para Vidhya. Four Vedas, the Vedangas, Upanishads, Itihasas, Puranas, Shastras were part of Para Vidhya and Apara Vidhya would be initiated by the Guru by awakening the intuitive knowledge.

Two to three hour workshop to understand the knowledge bank of this glorious land. The Para and the Apara Vidhyas consisting of the Four Vedas, the Vedangas, Upanishads, Itihasas, Puranas, Shastras etc. in this workshop you will get an introduction to these. This one day workshop is to encourage people to develop interest in Bharathiya Apara Vidhya which is brought by the vast Shruthi, Smrithi, Aagama, Darshana, Shastra, Ihihasa and Purana. These seven angas or body parts of the knowledge are considered as that which can be acquired in the lifetime by self-effort Purushartha. I shall elaborate upon each of these six limbs briefly. A brief discussion will lead to the participants getting interested to pursue the anga which they feel more connected to. But most of the aspects were learnt by the Chatras (students) of our Gurukuls schools in the course of their 12 years of stay and study in the Gurukul. 

1. Chathur Vedas (4)
2. Pancha Upavedas (5)
3. Shad Vedangas (6)
4. Shad Darshanas (6)
5. Ashta Agamas (8)
6. Ithihasas (2)
7. 36 Puranas
   18 Mahapuranas
   18 Upa Puranas
8. 16,008 Shastras
9. Upanishads (108 Mukhya Upanishads and about 109 other Upanishads totally about 217 texts)

This workshop takes the participants through an introduction to the above. It takes about 12 hours which could be on a single day, spread over two days or more. But the intensive takes about 15 days.

Puranas more than just Mythology

The Puranas are compered to as Mythology but the very definition of Purana says otherwise. The definition of Purana is “Purassya nave Puranaha I” meaning “That which is new in town is Purana”.

The Puranas are compered to as Mythology but the very definition of Purana says otherwise. The definition of Purana is “Purassya nave Puranaha” meaning “That which is new in town is Purana”. That means the Purana is that which is in high fashion now or at any point of time. If we look at the Puruanas we will find that there is a story of torment by some kind of a Raksasa, Asura or Daithya or there are multiple issues tormenting the world and the people gathered around the Rishis and they all go to Suthamuni for finding solutions. But it is found that he is doing Tapa in Naimisharanya. So they wait for him to open his eyes. As soon as he opens his eyes they put the question as to why be the world is going through this turmoil and what is the solution for the same? Then Suthamuni narrates the Purana as a solution.

The so-called torment and the turmoil faced by the people in the world have not changed and nor have the solutions. These are the reasons why the Puranas are still relevant. They carry a message or a solution for the present day people to take home too.

 The Puranic literature is Encyclopaedic in nature and it includes diverse topics such as Jyothishya Cosmology, genealogies of Devas Gods, Devis Goddesses, Rajas Kings, Veera Purushas Heroes, Rishis Sages, and Janapada Katha folk tales, Punyakshetra Sthala Purana Legends about Pilgrimage centre, Devalaya Sthala Purana Legends about Temples, Legends about medicine, Legends about astronomy subjects like Vyakarna grammar, Loha Shastra Mineralogy, Genre like Hasya Humour, Prema Katha Love Stories, as well as Darshana Theology and Philosophy.  

There are 308+ Puranas namely 18 Mahapurans, 18 Upapuranas and the 272+ Vesheshapuranas; the Puranas are said to contain the essence of all that is contained in the Apara Vidhya.

The 18 Mahapuranas are 1. Brahma Purana 2. Padma Purana 3. Vishnu Purana 4. Shiva Purana 5. Vamana Purana 6. Markandeya Purana 7. Varaha Purana 8. Agni Purana 9. Kurma Purana 10. Bhagavad Maha Purana 11. Linga Purana 12. Narada Purana 13. Skanda Purana 14. Garuda Purana 15. Matsya Purana 16. Vayu Purana 17. Bhavishya Purana 18. Brahmanda Purana.

The 18 upapurana or the minor Puranas are 1. Aditya Purana 2. Bhargava Purana 3. Brahannaradiya Purana 4. Devi Purana 5. Durvasa Purana 6. Kalika Purana 7. Kapila Purana 8. Maheshwara Purana 9. Nindikeswara Purana 10. Narasimha Purana 11. Parashara Purana 12. Shiva Dharma Purana 13. Shamba Purana 14. Surya Purana 15. Ushana Purana 16. Varuana Purana 17. Vashista Purana 18 Vayu Purana.

Other than these there are 272+ Vishesha Puranas they include Puranas like 1. Dharmmothara Purna 2. Bhavishyothara Purana 3. Amavasya Purana 4. Brihaddharma Purana 5. Ganesha Purana 6. Hamsa Purana 7. Sthala Puranas 8. Kula Puranas 9. Jathi Puranas (About 180 in no.) 10. Jaina Puranas 11. Bhuddha Puranas.

Through this workshop we will take a bird’s eye view of these puranas. This workshop takes about 12 – 14 hours.

Naithikta Ethics, Morality and Integrity

Naithikata or ethics or morality or integrity was a way of life in Bharat. People who follow Drarma were in complete Integrity and they had an unwritten code of ethics and morals.

Naithikata or ethics or morality or integrity was a way of life in Bharat. People who follow Drarma were in complete Integrity and they had an unwritten code of ethics and morals. How was it possible to achieve such a society which had completely integrated people? How was integrity and ethics woven into life in such a way that integrity, ethics and high moral standards were like nature of the people? What were these unwritten codes? What bound the people in such a nice way that people didn’t need any separate training for integrity, ethics and morality? This 3hrs program takes us into how to live an integrated and ethical life. In Bharath there were three types of Ethics/Morality to be practiced and they were.

1) Dhan Naithiktha, 2) Dharm Naithiktha and 3) Aathmeeyatha Naithiktha I shall deal with these three one after the other and in the process I shall also bring about how the Samaja brought about these morality amongst the people.

1) Dhan Naithikha: Dhan Naithiktha as the name suggests is the morality associated with wealth. People were bound by certain compulsions by which each person had to practice morality by way of sharing wealth.

2) Dharm Naithiktha: Each person was bound by the vow of practicing of Dharma and practice of Human Values leading to a peaceful co-existence and collective upliftment. This made each person practice morality.

3) Aathmiyatha Naithiktha: Practice of human values required practice of belongingness or Aathmiyatha. There were certain moral practices that came naturally to people by this.

In this 3 hours workshop I shall be detailing the above.

Vyakarna much more than Grammar

The main text of Vyakarna is Paṇini’s Ashtadhyayi it consists of eight chapters, each divided into four Padas, cumulatively containing 4000 sutras. These contain the Sutras on grammar, linguistic analysis, linguistic explanations, phonetics and etymology.

Vyakarna is usually referred to as Grammar but Vyakarna is much more than that.  Vyakarana or “explanation, analysis” refers to one of the six ancient Vedangas, ancillary science connected with the four Vedas, which are main scriptures in Bharat. Vyakarana is the study of grammar, linguistic analysis, phonetics, etymology etc. in Sanskrit and many Bharathiya languages. It is appropriate to mention about Paṇini’s Ashtadhyayi which is the most important surviving text of the Vyakaraṇa traditions. This text consists of eight chapters, each divided into four Padas, cumulatively containing 4000 sutras. These contain the Sutras on grammar, linguistic analysis, linguistic explanations, phonetics and etymology.

Bhoogola Bharathiya Geography

In Bharat the study of topography of the earth and the conditions around it was called Bhoogola. Bhoo means Earth and Gola means sphere. And Bhoogola means the subject that understands the spherical earth

In Bharat the study of topography of the earth and the conditions around it was called Bhoogola. Bhoo means Earth and Gola means sphere. And Bhoogola means the subject that understands the spherical earth. This shows that even before Galileo or Copernicus or anybody else the people here knew that the earth was spherical. There are many references in the Puranas which talk about the seven continents and the seven seas. There is also reference telling that all the land mass was one at one time on earth and later got separated. This single land mass is called Jambhodweepa.

For time immemorial geography was known as Bhoogola Shasta which means the study of the topography of this round Earth. For thousands of years people in Bharat knew that the Earth was round. How was the land mass of the world classified? How were the ocean and seas of the world classified? What were the descriptions given about the various rivers of the world? What descriptions are available about the mountains and the mountains ranges of the world? How was the description of the geography of Bharath? In this workshop I shall discuss the various references which I found in the various Puranas. In this 3hrs workshop we understand these things.

Ayurveda the holistic system of health care

“Ayur” stands for Life and “Veda” means “Source of Knowledge”. Hence Ayurveda means “The source of knowledge of life” and it is not a system of medicine as projected usually. However Ayurveda can be called a holistic system of health care, lifestyle and medicine.

As the name suggests “Ayur” stands for Life and “Veda” means “Source of Knowledge”. Hence Ayurveda means “The source of knowledge of life” and it is not a system of medicine as projected usually. However Ayurveda can be called a holistic system of health care, lifestyle and medicine. The founder figure is considered as Dhanvantri an incarnation of God Vishnu. Then further documenting of Ayurveda is attributed to Rishi Agnivesh then to Sushruta, Charaka and Atreya Punarvasu.

The texts written by these greats are Sushurta Samhita, Charaka Samhita and Bhela Samhista by Atreya Punarvasu. There are other texts like Agnivesha Samhita, Kashyapa Samhita and Harita Samhita. Agnivesha Samhita is a text that is dated 1500 BC, Kashyapa Samhita which includes the treatise by Jivaka Kumara Bhaccha is dated 600 BC, and Harita Samhita is dated much before this and attributed to Harita a disciple of Atreya Punarvasu.

Neethi Shastras

Neethi Shastras are referred to as scriptures of Political Science. But Neethi Shastras are actually the text books on Paura Shastra (Civil Studies), Rajaneethi Shastra (Political Science), Kararopana Neethi (Taxation Policy) and Janapada Prashasan (Administration).

Neethi Shastras are referred to as scriptures of Political Science. But Neethi Shastras are actually the text books on Paura Shastra (Civil Studies), Rajaneethi Shastra (Political Science), Kararopana Neethi (Taxation Policy) and Janapada Prashasan (Administration). How many Neethi Shastras are there? What was the political structure of Bharat? How did the political structure effect the life of a person in this country? Who was to report to whom? Now we I will give you all a brief understanding of the following Neethi Shastras.

1. Shukra Neethi
2. Brihaspathi Neethi
3. Ravan Neethi
4. Vidhur Neethi
5. Bheeshma Neethi
6. Chanakya Neethi

These and many more texts talk about Samaja Dharma Societal Behaviour, Paura Shastra Civics, Rajaneethi Shastra Political Science, Janapada Prashasana Administration and Kararopana Neethi Taxation. This 3hrs workshop introduces us into this world.

Bharathiya Shilpa Shastra: Introduction to the Ancient Architecture

Bharathiya Shilpa includes many books which cover many Arts & Crafts like Black Smithy, Gold Smithy, Metallurgy, Metal Casting, Sculpting, Carpentry, Pottery, Terracotta, Bamboo Craft, Wood Craft, Ship and Boat Building, Vessel Making, Weaving, Dye Making & Dyeing, Paper Making, Printing along with Civil Engineering, Architecture and Structural Engineering.

What is Bharathiya Shilp Shastra?

First thing first it is not a single book and definitely not something that covers only one subject or discipline. It is a collection of several books on several different subjects and disciplines. It includes many books which cover many Arts & Crafts like Black Smithy, Gold Smithy, Metallurgy, Metal Casting, Sculpting, Carpentry, Pottery, Terracotta, Bamboo Craft, Wood Craft, Ship and Boat Building, Vessel Making, Weaving, Dye Making & Dyeing, Paper Making, Printing along with Civil Engineering, Architecture and Structural Engineering.

Vasthu Shastra included Vasthu for living, Vasthu of temples, Vasthu for Forts, Vasthu for Palaces, Village planning, Town Planning, Port Cities and Ports Planning, Roads and Travel Infrastructure, watershed projects like Wells, Canals, Step wells, Lakes etc. grazing fields, forests, observatories and much more.

There are some 200 Shastras which have been preserved as Palm Leaf Manuscripts in various parts of the Country. And they deal with either one or many of the above topics. Some of them like Manasara or Manasollasa are a few thousand years old. Some of them have chapters on metallurgy, alloy making and metal casting also. One of them covers boat and ship building in detail. In this workshop on Bharathiya Shilp Shastras participants are just introduced into the world of Bharathiya Shilp Shastras.

Ganitha  : not just Mathematics

The decimal number system in use today was first recorded in Bharathiya Ganitha. Ganithagnas (Bharathiya Mathematician) made early contributions to the study of the concept of zero as a number, negative numbers, arithmetic, and algebra.

Ganitha emerged in Bharat from 3000 BC until the end of the 18th century. In the classical period of Ganitha which is 500 BC to 1200 AD, important contributions were made by scholars like Aryabhata, Bhaskara, Brahmagupta, Bhaskaracharya, and Varahamira. The decimal number system in use today was first recorded in Bharathiya Ganitha. Ganithagnas (Bharathiya Mathematician) made early contributions to the study of the concept of zero as a number, negative numbers, arithmetic, and algebra. In addition, Trigonometry and Spherical Trigonometry was further advanced in India and in particular, the modern definitions of Jya Sine, Ko-Jya Cosine, Utkrama-Jya Versine and Othkrama-Jya Inverse Sine were developed in Bharat. These mathematical concepts were transmitted to the Middle East, China, and Europe and led to further developments that now form the foundations of many areas of mathematics.

This workshop deals with the historical aspects of Ganitha. Anyhow if anybody is interested they could do further learning with some experts. 

Bharathiya Sahitya – Gadhya and Kavya, Indian Literature Prose and Poetry

Bharathiya Sahitya had Gadhya (Prose), Kavya (Poetry), Natya Rachana (Drama), Katha (Stories) and trere are some epics like Rmayana and Mahabharata which are completely written in Poetry. If we consider the literature from the 6 Classical Languages of Bharat Sanskrit, Tamil, Kannada, Telegu, Malayalam and Oddiya we will find a few hundred thousand compositions

From Valmiki’s Ramayana, Veda Vyasa’s Mahabharata, Kalidasa’s Raghuvamsha, Abhigjnana Shakuntala, Meghadhuta, Mricchakatika by Shudraka, Svapna Vasavadattam by Bhasa, Ratnavali by Sri Harsha, Geeta Govinda by Jayadeva the Bharathiya Litreture has led the world litreture scene from the front. These classics have also been translated from Sanskrit to many Bharathiya Bhasha (Indian Languages) and the huge repertoire of litreture has been part of the education system’s syllabus.

Bharathiya Sahitya had Gadhya (Prose), Kavya (Poetry), Natya Rachana (Drama), Katha (Stories) and trere are some epics like Rmayana and Mahabharata which are completely written in Poetry. If we consider the literature from the 6 Classical Languages of Bharat Sanskrit, Tamil, Kannada, Telegu, Malayalam and Oddiya we will find a few hundred thousand compositions.

There were a huge dose of Stroies too like Panchatantra, Hitopadesha, Vetala Panchavimshati (Baital Pachisi), Simhasana Dvatrimshika (Singhasan Baththissi), Kathasaritsagara and Brihadkathamanjari. Other than there are a few thousand Folk Stories which are in regional languages.       

Sangeetha (Music), Nrithya (Dance), Natya (Drama) in Shikshana (Education)

Sangeetha (Music), Nrithya (Dance) and Natya (Drama) were intergral part of the Education System. Learning of these art forms gave fineness to the personality of the Chchatras (Students). These art forms are known to give the personality of a student a subtle kind of culturing. So they were made compulsory and not like a choice.

(Music), Nrithya (Dance), Natya (Drama) in Shikshana (Education): Sangeetha (Music), Nrithya (Dance) and Natya (Drama) were intergral part of the Education System. Learning of these art forms gave fineness to the personality of the Chchatras (Students). These art forms are known to give the personality of a student a subtle kind of culturing. So they were made compulsory and not like a choice. The person passing out of a Gurukul would naturally know all the three art forms.

Most of the times these were not considered as separate subjects; but if some of the Chchatras wanted to take it up for life, they had the talent and inclination; then the Guru of Acharaya would teach as much as he/she could and then the Chchata would persue the art form in higher study Viharas or sometimes under the tutelage of any Vidhvan (Expert). When the Chchatra was in the Gurukulam or Acharyakualm he/she had to compulsorily learn a musical instrument of his/ser choice or learn Classical Vocal Music.

It was mandatory for all the Chchatras to learn any form of Dance but usually the local form was what was taught; if not then the local Janapada Nrithya (Folk Dance form) was taught. As the Chchatras had to learn classical dramas (as part of their syllabus) the best way for them to learn was by performing the Drama; hence the Chchatras would organise, learn and perform Dramas on a regular basis. Then they would perfor the Dramas either in front of the other Chchatras or in the nearby village.

Viharas – The Multi-Varsities of Bharat

Ancient Bharathiya Mahaviharas and Viharas were the Universities (or rather Multi-Versities) which were once the most influential seats of learning. Students from all over Asia used to flock to these places to gain knowledge and acquire skills. Other than Gjnana and Vidhya (Knowledge) being its own reward there was no culture of awarding “Degrees” or ‘Certificates” as education was for life and not for livelihood.

Ancient Bharathiya Mahaviharas and Viharas were the Universities (or rather Multi-Versities) which were once the most influential seats of learning. Students from all over Asia used to flock to these places to gain knowledge and acquire skills. Other than Gjnana and Vidhya (Knowledge) being its own reward there was no culture of awarding “Degrees” or ‘Certificates”. The education was for life and not for livelihood as the orientation towards worrying about livelihood was considered very profane. There existed a three stage structure of Shikshna (Education) in Bharat. A child would receive primary education until he/she was 8 at home itself; for the next 8-12 years the secondary education was imparted at the Gurukulams, Acharyakulams etc. then the third stage of education at the Mahavihara or Vihar (university education) was considered as attaining the pinnacle of knowledge. Students entered Viharas (universities) to explore the final intellectual and philosophical frontiers of every subject. It was at these majestic seats of learning that students were moulded to achieve fineness and dexterity in their respective subjects. The head of the department of each subject was called Kulapathy, the Professors were called Uditas, the students were called Chchatras and finally when the students passed out they got a title Panditha or Mahapanditha.

The following are some of the ancient Bharathiya Mahaviharas and Viharas (universities) which became renowned to take students to the end of the pinnacle of Vidhya and Gjnana (knowledge):

1. Takshashila University (600 BC – 500 AD)
2. Nalanda University (425 AD – 1205 AD)
3. Vikramshila University (800 AD – 1203 AD)
4. Vallabhi University (600 AD – 1200 AD)
5. Nagarjuna Mahavihar (600 AD)
6. Jagaddala Mahavihara University (1084 AD – 1207 AD)
7. Kanthalloor University – Valyashala (1000 AD – 1300 AD)
8. Pushpagiri Odissa (300 AD)
9. Telhara in Bihar (probably older than Nalanda),
10. Odantapuri, in Bihar (circa 550 – 1040),
11. Somapura Mahavihara, in Present day Bangladesh
12. Sharada Peeth, Kashmir
13. Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh 100 AD to Present Day
14. Kanchipuram, in Tamil Nadu
15. Manyakheta in Karanataka
16. Melukote in Karnataka

These are some of the Mahaviharas and Viharas that I Have heard about.