Koppa: “Today the entire world is expecting Bharat to guide it to emulate the Bharatiya Gurukul system of education. We have to be well-equipped to deliver on this expectation,” said RSS Sarsanghachalak Shri Mohan Bhagwat. He was speaking at the valedictory function of the ‘Ardhamandalotsava’ of Prabhodini Gurukul in Hariharapura in Koppa Taluk of Karnataka on February 9.
The world is looking forward to our system of education and lifestyle too given the issues faced by the present systems there. Instead, we are trying to ape them. We must question what we try to emulate from the West is required and take only that is absolutely necessary and those things which are good for us and our society. We have many noble things which we can offer to the world and the Gurukul system of education is one of them.
He further said our Gurukul system is dependent on the society which should nurture it. Our lifestyle should be modified so that it is based on the values espoused by the Sanatan culture, which is immortal. Gurukul system creates those who are the representatives of this culture. Those who started this system of education were not businessmen. Hence, it is the responsibility of society to support and take care of the wellbeing of the Gurukuls.
At present, 103 students from 24 districts and 63 taluks of Karnataka are studying at Prabhodini Gurukul. Students here pursue a 12-year academic routine studying various subjects like Vedas, Vijnana, Yoga, Gita, Vedic Maths, ancient epics, logic, Upanishads, Bharahma Sutras, Amarakosha among others. The 5 dimensional education given at the Gurukul admits students from all sections of the society without any discrimination of caste or creed. Three works on the working of the Gurukul system and a documentary on Prabhodini Gurukul were released during the valedictory ceremony.
Vedic scholar David Frawley said we need to understand ourselves first. We only see the extraneous issues and neglect our core strengths. We have to awaken our inner spirits. The world which we witness is ‘Maya’ but the mediums which describe the world have become incompetent. We need to give only that much importance which modern mediums deserve as most of what we hear, read and consume today is based on secondary sources. Hence, it is high time that we go back to the roots and study the Vedas which only can give us the right information.
Dr. VR Gourishankar, Chief Administrator of Sringeri Sharada Peeth also spoke. Secretary of the Reception Committee Shri Haripraksh Konemane presided over the function. The person who originated the idea of founding the Gurukul Prof. Ramachandra Bhat Kotemane, Ardhamandalotsava Committee Chairman HB Rajagopal, VRL Executive Chairman and Padma Shri Dr. Vijay Sankeshwar and other dignitaries were also present.
As per Sanatana culture, 48 years make a Mandala and 24 years make Ardha Mandala. Prabhodini Gurukul, started in 1995, completed 24 years during 2019-2020. Hence, this year was commemorated as ‘Ardhamandalotsava year. During this period, various events like Yoga, environment, agriculture, lectures on various topics by subject experts, had been organised. ‘Gurukula Parichaya’ programmes were held at 36 places in the state where more than 10,000 people were introduced to the Gurukula system of education.
RSS Sarsanghachalak Shri Bhagwat also met Pujya Sri Swayam Prakasha Sachchidanand Saraswati Swamiji of Hariharapura Math. Shri Bhagwat was honoured by Swamiji with a shawl and photo of Sharada Devi.
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