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Round Table on Establishing a Mahagurukulam – Inviting Suggestions from Public

Mahagurukulam

Indic Academy is  pleased to propose a Mahagurukulam at Jadcherla, near Hyderabad. As a precursor IA is holding a Round Table of eminent scholars and academicians from various Shastras and Indic Knowledge Systems to ideate on various aspects of establishing such a Mahagurkulam.  The Round Table is proposed to be held in January 2020 at Hyderabad. Representatives of Bharat Shikshan Mandal will make a presentation followed by brainstorming sessions by the participating scholars.

Indic Academy invites scholars, and public intellectuals to go through the concept note and give their suggestions which can be placed before the Round Table.

Given below is an extract of the concept note prepared by BSM for establishing a Gurukulam.

Background Note :

Parents are always the first gurus of a child. They give birth, perform sanskaras, provide food, shelter, and protection, and impart worldly knowledge. In a pathashala, teacher takes the role of a father, and imparts knowledge. A residential pathashala or a gurukula completes the role by also providing food, shelter, and protection. Ashramas serve as a locations of higher education and research.

From their portrayal in classical and canonical literature, gurukulas are complete ecosystems of their own, with reference to social, cultural, natural, educational, medical, and even the emotional lives of the pupils. They are superior to the Vihara-based method or Dashanami order based method; as gurukulas offer a wider range of subjects, allow a wider strata of society, and impart a more holistic education.

Modern methods of education create graduates of the said disciplines, who are specialists of their branch; but have almost negligible knowledge about other streams. Their lack of holistic knowledge about their own country, its history, languages, culture, dharma, etc. hinders an approach of pride and gratitude. They question what the society and government is doing for them, instead of trying to positively contribute to the betterment of society and country.

Aims and Objectives of Mahagurukulam:

Mahagurukulam will go back to ancient educational institutes and their economic models, that will allow self-sufficiency and a possibility of contributing to betterment of the society. It aims at producing well-nourished, complete, competent, independent, and motivated scholars, who measure up to the world scholarship, and are economically self-reliant. Mahagurukulam plans to be a unique traditional, yet contemporary gurukula.

USPs of Mahagurukulam:

Five key features of Mahagurukulam are-

    1. Kalanirapeksha- not being bound by time
    2. Sarvakaradayanirapeksha- not controlled by the government
    3. Pustakanirapeksha- not being dependent on books
    4. Parikshanirapeksha- non exam-centric
    5. Kakshanirapeksha- no fixed place or time to teach.

It is conceptualized as a collection of five sections-

  1. Gurukula– that focuses on actual teaching. There would be six pathashalas, viz., Saanga Veda, Itihasapurana, Sanskrit Sahitya, Telugu Sahitya, Ayurveda, and Kala; and six mahapathashalas, viz., Dharmashastra, Vedabhashya, JyotishaGanita, Sanskrit Vyakarana and Linguistics, Shaddarshana, and Dandaniti. This section also covers modern subjects like maths, English, Computer science and other relevant subjects.
  2. Rishikula– that covers research and development. It focuses on multidisciplinary research in Indology and other contemporary disciplines.
  3. Gokula– a cattle-shed and dairy. This shall be an economic model, fulfilling the dietary requirements of the residents, as well as earning through milk and milk products for the society.
  4. Tarukula– agricultural and horticultural wing, that hosts gardens, medicinal plantation, grass for the cattle, fruit-bearing and flowering plants, as well as agricultural crop. This shall also constitute monetary gains for the Mahagurukulam
  5. Arogyakula– focusing on overall health and wellness of the residents, this comprises of medical facility for the members as well as general society.

The Mahagurukulam also would have five shalas.

  1. Pathashala– Hosting the housing units of the respective gurus, where shishyas would also reside in proximity. This area shall also house agnishala, and facilitate adhyayana, svadhyaya, pravachana, nityakarma, and panchamahayajnas.
  2. Prayogashala– A shrautayajnashala as well as a smartayagashala would be constructed. For Ayurvedapractice, medicine production facility and treatment houses would be built. Agricultural lands, cowsheds, gardens, kitchen, etc. shall all serve as prayogashalas.
  3. Pakashala– A kitchen and dining area, where all the students shall rotationally be assigned duties to cook sattvika and healthy food.
  4. Goshala– Every guru shall tend to a cow and a calf, for panchagavya for sacrificial purposes.
  5. Atithishala– a guest house for visitors is also an important building.
  • Along with these, a Sudharma Bhavana shall function as a common hall, meeting place, Admin and Chancellors’ office.There would also be a Temple on the premises, with a Vasanta Mandapa for Mahagurukulam’s cultural activities, as well as functions and gatherings.
  • A Turiya ashrama kutira shall be built for visiting as well as resident sannyasis. Also, the expertise of senior acharyas and retirees will be utilized in day to day activities.

Overall, Mahagurukulam would be a self-sufficient educational township.

Please write to us with your suggestions and ideas at mahagurukulam@indica.org.in

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article belong to the author. Indic Today is neither responsible nor liable for the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information in the article.

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