About Asharamji Gurukul

From birth to the age of 7, the Muladhara center, which is the foundation of the body, develops. From the age of 7 to 14, the Svadhisthana center develops, and from 14 to 21, the Manipura center develops. This period is a golden era for developing intellect and is the perfect time to elevate and refine emotions into something divine and successful.

Students who learned through the Gurukul education system became radiant and bright because there are seven centers (chakras) in our body—Muladhara, Svadhisthana, Manipura, Anahata, Vishuddha, Ajna, and Sahasrara. The Gurus knew how to develop these centers. A Guru is someone who elevates us beyond mundane pleasures, limited desires, and narrow beliefs. This is why initiation (diksha) was given first. Initiation is essential for giving life the right direction. Initiation doesn’t merely mean whispering a mantra or handing someone a rosary; it means providing a higher direction, teaching that the pleasures of eating, drinking, and sensory indulgence are available to animals like horses, donkeys, dogs, and cats too. One must seek the highest supreme bliss of the soul. To live a higher life, it's not external embellishments but internal development that matters. Live a life that is simple and divine rather than showy. Protect others’ rights and use your strength wisely. One who safeguards others’ rights and utilizes their strength judiciously will assist the weak and not harm society out of greed or ruin their future.

When students emerged from Gurukuls enriched with such noble values, society was well-organized. The education or knowledge imparted in Gurukuls developed inner strength. In contrast, in the current Macaulay education system, the emphasis is on embellishing the personality, even if the heart is impure. People amass money through extortion, bribes, adulteration, and fraud, without caring whether others go hungry, or the children of the poor can study or not. As long as their son, they, and their family live in comfort, they are content within this small circle.

The difference between foreign and Indian systems is that abroad, one who amasses the most power and wealth is considered great, whereas in India, one who gives the most to society and takes the least for personal needs, progressing in spiritual and soul bliss, is considered great. One who can find the most peace and happiness with minimal material, power, and people, and can give to others, like Sukadeva sitting on a high throne with King Parikshit at his feet, or Ashtavakra on a high seat with King Janaka at his feet, or Lord Rama placing Sage Vasishtha on a high throne and washing his feet, or Lord Krishna washing his Guru’s feet.

Thus, the Gurukul system provided foundational education for attaining higher joy, higher knowledge, and eternal happiness, fostering the development of inner centers. Nowadays, we collect information and acquire certificates. Students educated under the Macaulay system, devoid of human sensitivity, often pay hefty bribes to secure jobs and exploit others to amass wealth, leading to suffering for themselves and those around them.

Misusing power is not about using your authority or sanctity to exploit others and rise above them. This is an abuse of power. Protecting others' rights and using your power wisely was the foundation of the Gurukul system.

The Gurukul system had arrangements to experience the bliss of the soul and the supreme being, to discipline the senses, and to guide the mind and senses toward divine knowledge and soul bliss. Chanting, meditation, and Vedic knowledge significantly contributed to this.

The Gurukul education system provides a way of living a developed life. If education is through the Gurukul tradition, it would be a boon for the country and humanity.

(With gratitude to the monthly magazine "Rishi Prasad," which provides knowledge to make students cultured, promising, and successful.)