Educationalimplications
of Bhagavat Gita
Following
points indicates the educational implications of Gita.The first point is the
true meaning of education. We may derive the true meaning of education through
the virtuous knowledge emphasised by Krishna. Through true education we
perceive unity in diversity and sense the Brahma(God) in all the creatures on
this earth. Gita implies that true education is that which helps one to see the
existence of God.
The second point is the
ideals of education. We may analyse the ideals of
Education
into six parts, such as(a) to develop virtuous knowledge(b) to develop and
effect sublimation of personality(c) to co-ordinate between the individual and
social aim.(d) to develop intellectual and logical ability.(e) to establish the
importance of duty in life.
The third point is to
develop virtuous knowledge. Our students, like all of suffer from ignorance of
virtuous knowledge. In Gita Krishna
remark Arjun’s ignorance and motivates him towards performing his duty. So we
can say that the ideal of education should be to remove ignorance and to
provide the virtuous knowledge.
The next point to
remember about the educational implication of Gita is to develop and effect
sublimation of personality. Krishna awakens in Arjun the virtuous powers
inheren t in him and motivates him towards the right path. This is exactly what
a Guru should do for his disciple. Thus
the ideal of education should be to develop the sublimate the personality of
the student.
Another point is to remember here about the educational emplication of Gita is
to co-ordinate between the individual and social aim.In Gita Krishna impresses
upon him to sacrifice his individual freedom
to social aim. Thus we may say that according to Gita one of the chief
ideals of education should be to affect a co-ordination between the individual
and social aspects of things.
To develop the inner
consciousness is another educational implication of Gita.In Gita ; Krishna
takes resource to logical reasoning ‘s and tries to convince Arjun about sacred
self-duty(Swadharma). At last Krishna
succeeds in awakening the inner consciousness(Anthakaran) of Arjun. This is
exactly the ideal that we should follow in the field of education.
Next
point to remember here is to establish the importance. One can be happy only by
establishing a balance between one’s rights and duties. Krishna tells Arjun that nothing is greater
than performance of one’s duty(Swadharma-palan). It is very necessary to
emphasize this viewpoint before the students of these days. If our students develop this attitude towards life, then this veryh earth will
become a heaven.
Another major point is to remember here is the Curriculam of Gita. Gita refers to two types of knowledge(GYAN)-
The Para Vidya that is the knowledge about the spiritual realm come the
knowledge about the soul(Atma)God(Brahma),the being and the world. The Apara
vidya that is the knowledge about mundane affairs.
In the knowledge mundane
affairs we may include all types of subjects in various displines of
art,science,and engineering etc.,which are generally taught in our education centres. Within the paravidya the spiritual realm come
the knowledge about the soul(Atma)God (Brahma), the being (the jeeva) and the
world(Jagat)
These days in our
educational system the Para vidya the spiritualrealm is generally ignored.This
has resulted at the utter neglect of spiritual realm.
The knowledge about the
spiritualism alone can give eternal peace to man. Hence in our educational system the spiritual
aspects of man’s life should also be given its due place along with subjects
related with worldly affairs.
The concept of moral
education is also very important in the educational implication of Gita. In the
foregoing pages we said that the performance of one’s duty(Swadharma-palan) has
been principally emphasized in Gita. Krishna has impressed upon him that one’s
duty should be performed without taking into consideration its outcome and
attachment(Rag)for the same. It is
extremely difficult to think of any higher moral ideal for a man than this.
Through practicing this ideal a person will reach the peak of his development
and he will overcome all worldly attachment.
This is exactly, what isneeded I n our youths of these days. So if we impress upon them to practice the
above ideal we shall be giving them the noblest moral education.
