Overlooking the serene Tunga river and hidden amid verdant greenery in the quaint little village of Hariharpura in Chikmagalur district of Karnataka lies a residential school for boys with a difference.
No multistory buildings, no fancy basketball court and no swimming pool. Under the shade of a gigantic tree, children sit listening in rapt attention to their guru while another, much older group is tending to a vegetable patch nearby. A game of kabaddi between juniors and seniors on the vast open field is witnessing a lot of rejoicing while inside, the halls are reverberating with the solemn chant of the Gita.
A different world by itself, the Prabodhini Gurukula is calm and soothing, practicing the old-age concept of the traditional schooling system in the present day world.
Just like the gurukula of the Vedic times, Prabodhini Gurukula advocates the same system where boys live with their gurus and help in day-to-day activities of the school. Learning is not limited to either classrooms or laboratory; students learn farming and domestic work along with samskaras (values) and mathematics. The goal is to nurture an individual who is spiritual and patriotic with strong ethical and cultural values, a person who cares about society and is an entrepreneur at heart says Umesh Rao, its principal.
“We can’t completely do away with the existing system. All we do is to find the weak spots and remove them. Society can provide only opportunities. The way these are utilised by an individual depends upon his or her personality. We concentrate on developing one’s personality,” Rao adds.
“The gurukula system is based on the principles that has evolved through the ages. Spirituality is the foundation of education. Self-study, self-thinking, self-discipline and self-help are the four cornerstones of gurukula life,” Rao says and adds, “We do not take money or donation to admit students. In the bygone era, three things were for free: education, rice and medicine, we still follow that principle. However, after the student passes out, he can make a donation that will be utilised for the gurukula.”
A typical day
Engaged in activities from 5.00 am to 9.30 pm, the day begins with a prayer. This is followed by yoga, cleaning of the gurukula premises, bath, pooja, breakfast, self-study and regular classes. Evening is usually fun and include games and tending the garden and fields. Night time is for singing bhajans, chanting the Gita, meditation and self-study.
Contrary to popular beliefs, they are not cut off from the outside world. Various activities are arranged for the boys to mingle with the society. They conduct camps for other students and teach in government schools during holidays. “The aim of the gurukula is to create gurus (teachers) who will serve the society. We make sure that the students don’t suffer from a complex when they step out,” says Rao.
Imparting Panchamukhi Shiksha, Prabodhini Gurukula has a five pronged system of education, imparting knowledge in veda, science, yoga, agriculture and fine arts. Apart from conventional subjects, the boys are also taught dignity of labour. Sports is also encouraged.
A six-year curriculum is prepared, at the end of it, students are competent enough to face the 10th standard examinations as independent candidates.
Life for students after finishing gurukula?
“We spot individual talents and guide the students to pursue them. Some boys are admitted to Veda Vignyana Gurukula and Vyasa (a deemed university in Yoga) in Bangalore. There is a lack of good teachers of yoga and vedas and our aim is to fulfill that,” Rao says. Some of their students are teaching in the US and many in the country.
A right attitude is quintessential to get into the gurukula. Being part of the gurukula is a commitment for life, a commitment to being a teacher and serving society. It seems like giving up a lot but it might also be the right antidote to today's ailing society.