Awakening through Gurukulas

In the early 90’s the education scenario in Karnataka was no different from rest of the country. Being ‘convent’ educated was a prestigious achievement. It was a norm to look upon those who were educated in such English medium schools as the only literates. The overall scenario seemed as though McCauley’s dream to convert all Indians into ‘Brown Sahibs’, deracinated imitations of their white masters had succeeded through his Convent education system! गुरु – Guru : The remover of Darkness But that was not to be. Gurukula, the ancient system of education provided a potent way to take on McCauley’s form of education. In a Gurukula, Guru provided both knowledge and spiritual education to his Shishyas as per the highest ideals set by this Vedic system of education. With this ideal of creating great gurus, Ajeya Trust started the 'Maitreyi Gurukula' for girls in 1994 at Moorkaje in Bantwal Taluk of Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka. A similar institution for boys, the ‘Prabodhini Gurukula’ was established by the Prabodhini Trust at Hariharapura in 1995.

आत्मनॊ मोक्षार्थम् जगद्धिताय च : Liberation of oneself and service to humanity

The beginning was not easy. The goals were high and so were the challenges. Gurukulas live by the greatest ideal of "Sevahi Paramo Dharmaha". Hence they do not accept fees from their students. They survive on grants or donations given by the society. Though the financial difficulties faced by both the Gurukulas were a concern, the biggest challenge was their acceptance by the people. The Gurukula education does not believe in textbooks, periodic tests and annual exams. This being a norm those days, people found this hard to fathom. With great difficulty the trustees’ contacted people from all over the state and the Maitreyi Gurukula started with just 18 students and Prabodhini Gurukula with 23 students. There was also the challenge of sustaining the enthusiasm of the students during their years of stay here. Not everyone can sustain the rigor of the Gurukula education. Hence an interview of each candidate along with their parents is conducted. Once they agree to all the conditions of the Gurukula, each student is monitored for a period of three days and if the student does not wish to stay or are not found suitable, is returned to the parents.

Daily routine at Gurukula 5 AM – Wake up and ablutions 5.30 AM – Yoga Abhyasa 6.30 AM – Cleaning of Gurukula 7.00 AM – Nitya/Daily Pooja 8.00 AM – Breakfast 9.30 AM – Veda Pata 11.00 AM – Lessons (Maths, Science, Hindi, Kannada, etc.) 12.30 PM - Lunch 2.00 PM – Lessons 4.30 PM – Gardening and  watering of plants 5.00 PM – Games, Samatha, Kolata, etc.(Mouna/Silence from 5.45 – 6.15 PM) 6.15 PM – Bhajans and Shlokas 7.00 PM – Dinner 7.30 PM – Swyadhyaya/Practice 9.30 PM – Deep Visarjan

Challenges did not end here. The facility in which they operated was hardly sufficient and funds with the trust were not enough to buy the required piece of land. It was here that providence played its role. A benevolent lady Shreemati Parameshwari Amma donated her whole property of 130 acres to the Ajeya trust for setting up of Maitreyi Gurukula. The Prabodhini Gurukula too was setup on a campus of 10 acres after years of struggle. Inspiring Story Nivedita was born in a poor rural family. Though she was talented and ambitious, there were very few opportunities. Her parents heard about the Gurukula and enrolled her here. Today Nivedita is accomplished in Jyotishya Shashtra and has married an expert in Jyotishya Shashtra. She is not just an ideal housewife but also a caring Balagokula teacher. She visits the Gurukula every year to pay the obeisance.

उद्धरेदात्मनात्मानम : One has to work for one’s own upliftment

We know that a woman is the nucleus of Indian culture. She plays various roles such as mother, daughter, sister, wife, etc. and in each role she plays she furthers the welfare of the nation. Mother is regarded as the first Guru of the child. She grooms the child so as to make him/her a responsible citizen. Hence it is pertinent that a girl is rightly educated so as to play this role with aplomb. This is also what ‘Maitreyi Gurukula’ wanted to achieve. Hence both the girls and the boys at the Gurukulas are coached in ‘Panchamukhi’ education i.e. Veda, Yoga, Kala Koushala, Vijnana and Krishi. Without formal tests and exams, it was indeed a challenge to keep the wards at the Gurukula up-to-date on their knowledge. Hence the concept of ‘Jnanavalokana’ was formed. The students themselves prepare the questions and the Acharyas question them on the same.

Social Activities at Gurukula Senior kids at the Gurukula take Balagokula classes in nearby villages. There are 12 such Balagokulas today Al the Balagokulas participate in Pathasanchalan/Route March on the Gokulashtami day Students at the Gurukulas participate in Raksha Bandhan with local villagers Senior students take Samskruta Sambhashana Shivirs Students of Prabodhini Gurukula conduct weekly Shakhas in nearby villages

Each student is given an ‘Uttama’, ‘Madhyama’ or ‘Sadarana’ grade. Students finding it difficult to grasp a subject are duly helped by the senior wards. This also brings about the bonhomie and sense of brotherhood among the students. Highly talented students Many students of Maitreyi and Prabodhini Gurukulas recite the entire Bhagavad Gita. In fact, 8 of them won Bhagavad Gita recitation prize of Rs.21, 000 by reciting it in front of Shringeri Jagadguru. Many have also excelled in the art of ‘Shalaka Parikshe’, where the student continues to recite the Bhagavad Gita Shlokas from the page the audience asks them to and without any prompts. Incredible!

सुखार्थी त्यजते विद्यां : One who is after luxuries will not get knowledge

It was certainly not easy to sustain the same amount of rigor in the students throughout their stay in the Gurukula, especially with the tender care needed to take care of the girls who are staying away from their mothers. The Gurukula has 10 lady teachers, who are called as ‘Matrushree’s and they teach and stay with the students. Matrushree’s are very well trained by the trust to coach and take care of the needs of the girls. Since they stay together, the bonding between Matrushree’s and students is similar to that of a mother and her children. There was yet another challenge. The students visit their homes twice a year and there were chances of them being smitten by attractions of outside world which would hamper their Gurukula education. To keep them acquainted with the Gurukulas education even during vacations, the students are mandated to perform few activities during vacations, one of them being conducting Balagokula camps daily near their homes. This would ensure that they not only enhance their skills and stay rooted in Gurukula education but also spread the knowledge in the society.

Few Facts about the Gurukula Holidays are as per Hindu Panchanga. Ashtami, Amavasye, Padya and Hunnime are holidays. Ayurveda doctor visits the Gurukula every week to monitor the students health The Gurukula has a Ayurveda Vana and a Nakshatra Vana The Gurukula has names for each batch. 1st year is named as Shraddha, 2nd year as Medha, 3rd year as Prajna, 4th year as Pratibha, 5th year as Driti and 6th year as Dhee Each new batch is welcomed with a ‘Praveshotsava’ where a homa is performed and Deeskhe is given. The 1st lesson is from a Swamiji. Kannada is the medium of instruction and students use Sanskrit to interact. Gurukula application forms have no columns for caste and parents income!

Even the parents of both the Gurukulas are expected to congregate once a year at the Gurukula to get trained on the nuances of Gurukula education and their responsibility towards their children. Each student is expected to get 3 things from home while returning to the Gurukula after vacations viz. Jnana Bhikshe from elders, Pustaka Bhikshe from any donor and old unused items useful in Gurukula. To ensure that the students are in touch with each other even after they pass-out of the Gurukula, SAHAMILANA – An annual meet-up of students who have passed out of the Gurukula is organized every year. Seva and Sacrifice The Vyavastapakas or caretakers of the Gurukulas are epitome of Seva and sacrifice. It is their responsibility to ensure that their wards schooling continues without hiccups. This is not possible without unflinching service of the Vyavastapakas. Shri.Umesh who is the Vyavastapaka of Prabodhini Gurukula has been a Sangh Pracharak in the past and has sacrificed his life for the cause of the nation. Likewise, Shri.Jagannath and his wife both have dedicated their lives for the upkeep of the Maitreyi Gurukula.

सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः : Let happiness be unto all

Today Maitreyi Gurukula has 89 students in different batches. About 112 students have passed out of the Gurukula. What started as a small initiative with few students today has students from all districts of the state and 4 students from Madhya Pradesh. Many have become teachers of Sanskrit and regularly participate in ‘Samskruta Sambhashana’ shivirs. Many are teachers in the ‘Balagokula’ initiative. We can confidently claim that a student of the Gurukula is not just an ideal housewife but also a well groomed Bharatiya Nari who is fit to take care of the family and society. Likewise, Prabodhini Gurukula has 70 students from 15 districts studying in different batches today. 5 students have become Acharyas in the same Gurukula. 12 batches and 170 students have passed out of the Gurukula.

Cultural Activities Sangeetha/Vocal training on Monday Ayurveda training on Tuesday Bharatanatya training every Thursday Harmonium, Flute & Tabla training every 15 days Weekly training in weaving & Tailoring for girls Ramayana & Mahabharata training and recital every week Drama training occasionally Students give presentations on varied subjects to others on a Triodashi.

3 students from the same Gurukula have become full-time volunteers of the RSS and have thus dedicated their whole lives for the cause of nation building. Most of them are also active in one or the other Seva organizations affiliated to the Sangh. The aim of the Gurukula to create great Gurus has indeed been fulfilled. With such noble citizens being the products of these Gurukulas, the tables have turned. Being educated in Maitreyi or the Prabodini Gurukulas is now a prestigious phenomenon :-)

Success Stories SriRam Samartha hailed from a family of farmers. He dreamt of becoming a lecturer but given his poor background, he had no means to achieve it. Thanks to his education at the Prabodhini Gurukula, he is an acclaimed lecturer in a college in Kundapur today. Tilak’s is a similar story. Coming from a humble background, he never thought he could achieve big in life. But he stood first in MA in Sanskrit and won a gold medal in Sanskrit. He is currently pursuing his research in Vyakarana (grammar) at Veda Vijnana Gurukula in Chennenahalli.