Our constitutional fundamental duties enjoin on India that is Bharat to ‘value & preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture’

1. The Vedas are the foundation of our composite culture: We as Indians, whatever may be our individualities, religions, languages, etc. all draw our inspiration from the Vedas, knowingly or unknowingly. The Veda literally means, ‘to know’, to know that which is beyond sense perceptions! The Vedas are not just a textbook of knowledge, or a scripture revealed at a time by a divine being! The Vedas can be considered as the mother of religions as they’re the most ancient. They’re a vast collection of revealed prayers, hymns, history, geography, sciences, astronomy, mythology, scripture which have been preserved from generation to generations over thousands of years. Whatever records are available today take over two hundred hours to read thru’! We consider them as the very plan of creation and infallible revealed truths to not just one or a few, but to a galaxy of rishis; and it isn’t an unknowable mere belief, but it has to be experienced by me! Ultimately each one of us has to directly realize and experience this same truth. The more sciences advance, the more we’re appreciating its scientific and spiritual wisdom and guidance.

Character-building institutions like the Brahmo Samaja, Arya Samaja, Ramakrishna Mission, and their schools were formed and founded based on the Vedas and Vedanta, when Islam and Christianity were spreading, forcing, dividing people based on their new idea of my Vs your god and religions! Their object was to convert our people to their religions and their strategy was to highlight all our wrongs and tempt us with jobs and lollipops. Hinduism also was beset with many wrong social norms and practices which the pandits had been indulging in; while the best of our people were being tempted away, to follow modern 3R’s education and work for the British, become govt. servants, etc. etc.

To counter the threat came many spiritual reform movements. However, over time the attractive powers of “Artha and Kaama” have overwhelmed us all and modern schools and colleges have become the most profitable businesses selling knowledge while, ignoring character and wisdom. The Vedic focus of “Dharma and Moksha” has been totally lost!

2. Vedanta is not a belief but is fully open to debate and questioning. It is to be universally accepted only when logically discussed, explored, debated. Vedanta transcends all boundaries of religion, nationality, and race and is fit to be a part of mainstream systems of education. Vedanta implies the essence of the Vedas. Vedanta’s most significant proclamation is the message of “harmony of all religions”. It is the truth of all truths. It is the truth which is the most important and crying need of modern governance, academia, schooling and societies. It encourages all mankind to learn, imbibe, follow universal righteous conduct.

Vedanta emphasizes that one infinite god exists, beyond form and description and imbibing the spirit of work as worship and righteous conduct thru our respective 20 years of schooling, growing-up and religions and spiritual practices will lead god-wards, realization of perfection, infinite existence-infinite consciousness-infinite bliss.

3. Thus, essence of all religions and education is common and the commonality is the need for inspiring all people, of whatever religion or nationality or race, to strive to be firstly, committed to our respective Duties, Kartavya-palan, Swadharma. Secondly, strive to get established in daily, regular, self-development practices, to awaken powers of discriminative intellect, Viveka-buddhi and build powers of mind, self-control, concentration, will power to know and be committed to righteous conduct and remain on the path to attaining the highest human goal, howsoever we may understand it, perfection, heaven, nirvana, freedom, mukti, etc.

4. Thus purpose of education must be:

a) Awakening Viveka (discernment) and building mental faculties are essential for holistic growth.

b) To know and strive to realize “the kingdom of god within”, the profound Biblical statement, “the kingdom of god is within you,” emphasizes inner realization and spiritual awakening. Seeking the divine and righteousness within oneself leads to fulfillment and abundance.

c) Commit to duties (Kartavya-palan): Uphold responsibilities and righteous actions.

d) Commitment to self-development practices: Regularly engage in practices that awaken the discriminative intellect (Viveka-buddhi) and build mental strength, self-control, concentration, and willpower.

e) Pursue righteous conduct: Remain on the path toward the highest human goal, whether it’s perfection, heaven, nirvana, freedom, or mukti.

f) UNESCO has proposed Three Pillars of Education: Learning the treasure within: Encouraging self-awareness, inner growth, and self-discovery. Learning To Be: Nurturing holistic development, including character, values, and emotional intelligence. Learning to Live Together: Fostering understanding, empathy, and cooperation among diverse communities.

g) Global vision and karma yoga: The G20’s vision of “One World. One Family. One Future” resonates with Vedantic universal outlook. The concept of “work as worship” (Karma Yoga) aligns with the spirit of selfless service and dedication to duty.

5. Academia & schooling not for education but for self-development: We need the good people committed to work as worship and we don’t need schools and colleges and teachers who produce self-centered labourers and workers with this or that degrees but no spirit of selflessness.

Shouldn’t governance be a movement to ensure that the New Education Policy includes dedicated time for knowing, learning, practicing self-development practices and evaluating based on a spirit of commitment to selflessness, work as worship for good of samaja, along with marks and degrees?

In summary, education cannot be just “to know” and “to do” as hitherto; we need “institutions for self-development practices”, not mere schools and colleges. Let us strive collectively to walk the talk.

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