भवेद्विर्य्वति विद्या गुरुवाक्त्र्समुदभावा |
अन्यथा फलहीना स्यन्निविर्यर्प्य्तिदुख्खद |
अर्थात गुरु द्वारा अर्जित विद्या ही वीर्यवती होती है और वास्तविक सुख प्रदायिनी होती है | नहीं तो , विद्या फलहीन और अति दु :खदायिनी होती है | इसीलिए हर मानव को अपने जीवन में गुरु को प्रथम स्थान देना चाहिए
First and foremost aspect of education is to establish relation with Guru from heart. And that is only possible at his home, in jungle, without any societal vices around.
Once this is achieved (in 3-4 years, from age 8 to 12), and when Guru knows that Shishya is ready to take on higher studies, something beyond Guru’s limitations or Gurukul’s boundary (Only true Guru can accept own limitations), important aspect of education starts : शैक्षणिक देशाटन या विश्वामित्र परंपरा!
Yes, it is critical aspect missed in modern education. If you don’t travel across the nation, how can you understand issues of the land?
विश्वामित्र परंपरा
मधुलुब्धो यथा भृंगः पुष्पात्पुष्पान्तरं व्रजेत् |
ज्ञानलुब्धस्तथा शिष्यो गुरोर्गुवर्न्तरं व्रजेत् || ८९||
Just as a honeybee flits from one flower to another in search of honey, so also a disciple desirous of acquiring spiritual knowledge goes from one Guru to another till he acquires it.
No Guru feel insulted when students go for higher knowledge. In fact, Guru should know own limitations and suggest students to Guru with higher knowledge and skills
वनवास in Ramayana and Mahabharata are not mere outcomes of human weaknesses. They were needed for mass awakening. Nationwide travel is needed for all leaders.
Btw, तीर्थाटन / तीर्थयात्रा /वन यात्रा – There are different ways by which Pravas is prescribes. वसंत ऋतू is ideal as it is good time to burn excess cough by यात्रा.
After leaving Sandipani Gurukul, Shri Krishna called 1000 days seminars in Himalaya for all kings, experts and scholars of the nation. It was where seeds of war were prepared.
More is written here:
तीर्थाटन / तीर्थयात्रा /वन यात्रा – There are different ways by which प्रवास/travel is prescribed. वसंत ऋतू is ideal as it is good time to burn excess cough by यात्रा.
जिन्होंने भारत में भ्रमण ही नहीं किया, यहाँ के कोस कोस में बदलती रुत का अनुभव नहीं किया….. यहाँ के आचार-विचार-व्यवहार को समझने की कभी चेष्टा नहीं की…
ऐसे लोग अब हमें बताएंगे, कि हमारा समाज कैसा है……. हमारा दर्शन क्या है…?
Rama, Krishna, Shankracharya…we have examples from all ages.
यो न संचरते देशान् सेवते यो न पण्डीतान् |
तस्य संकुचिता बुधिर्धृतबिन्दुरिवाम्भसि ||यस्तु संचरते देशान् सेवते यस्तु पण्डितान् |
तस्य विस्तारिता बुधिस्तैलबिन्दुरिवाम्भसि ||Those who do not travel (for the cause of self-realization) and do satsang with different regions’ experts (Pandits of different fields), their intellect is like a drop of clarified butter in water, limited, narrow, strictured.
Those who do travel (for the cause of self-realization) and do satsang with different regions’ experts (Pandits of different fields), their intellect is like a drop of oil in water, -mingled with water, expanded, broader.
Sanatana Dharma and Importance of Yatra (Mission Oriented Travel)
We must bring back this aspect of education back. This is very much needed between age 12 to 16. A critical time when a teen mind needs to realize value of his future contribution to society. It will pretty much give direction to his life-mission.
