[Gurumaharaj was discussing at length how brahmanical tradition gave way to Sannyasin tradition.]
Gurumaharaj : However, the moral decadence of the brahmins gave rise to Sannyasin tradition. Then the Chaturashram consisted of four phases. They were brhmacharya, garhasthya, banprastha,sannyas. This sytem of life was not meant for everyone in the society. Only the advanced and eligible students in the Gurukulas were offered the upavita or the sacred thread after performing various holy rituals and kriyas cleansing their bodies. Then they were administered the oath to celibacy. It was not mandatory for each of them though.
After due completion of their studies they returned to their families and began their family life ( garhasthya). After studying for minimium twelve years when these intelligent, well educated, healthy and bright youths returned to family life, they never became oblivious of the knowledge learnt in the gurukulas. This was how the society throve on the shouders of such bright young men and women. An advanced society can only be developed by such youths.
The students in the gurukulas never had any book. Ancient texts in the form of ‘ puthi’ arrived much later.The vedas were termed as Shruti ( that which is head). The teachers delivered their lectures and the pupils listened attentively. Do you know how learning took place in those days? It was through shravana ( hearing), manan ( thinking) and Nididhyasaana ( meditation with deep focus on any subject). Everyday at dawn students woke up and after japam, dhyanam and prayers they assembled in front of their teacher.
[ Translated by Amitava Saha]
Gurumaharaj : However, the moral decadence of the brahmins gave rise to Sannyasin tradition. Then the Chaturashram consisted of four phases. They were brhmacharya, garhasthya, banprastha,sannyas. This sytem of life was not meant for everyone in the society. Only the advanced and eligible students in the Gurukulas were offered the upavita or the sacred thread after performing various holy rituals and kriyas cleansing their bodies. Then they were administered the oath to celibacy. It was not mandatory for each of them though.
After due completion of their studies they returned to their families and began their family life ( garhasthya). After studying for minimium twelve years when these intelligent, well educated, healthy and bright youths returned to family life, they never became oblivious of the knowledge learnt in the gurukulas. This was how the society throve on the shouders of such bright young men and women. An advanced society can only be developed by such youths.
The students in the gurukulas never had any book. Ancient texts in the form of ‘ puthi’ arrived much later.The vedas were termed as Shruti ( that which is head). The teachers delivered their lectures and the pupils listened attentively. Do you know how learning took place in those days? It was through shravana ( hearing), manan ( thinking) and Nididhyasaana ( meditation with deep focus on any subject). Everyday at dawn students woke up and after japam, dhyanam and prayers they assembled in front of their teacher.
[ Translated by Amitava Saha]