National News

Edu-Prism

Education is a human need. A need that promotes one from a living being to a learned and realized one. Education in Ancient India did precisely the same. It focussed on the overall character, spiritual and intellectual development. The objective of education was to prepare a student not just for employment but for different facets of life.

Any education system must have objectives, methods, and principles that determine its success. The objective, in other words, the outcome is pre-determined. To bring about self-reliance, self-restraint, and self-respect in the student. Additionally, it lets the student realize the purpose of his life, delving more into the spiritual experience of life. While not being oblivious to other vital aspects of life.

The environment a student is taught determines the extent of the knowledge transmitted and retainment. In Ancient India, educational institutions were in the vicinity of nature. The education taught them not to exploit nature but rather embrace it. Sustainability is the cornerstone of ancient Indian Educational Institutions from Ashrams and Gurukuls to Universities. Education was residential that exposed students to the practical world.

The next step is the curriculum. Gurukuls, Ashrams, and Universities had multidisciplinary curriculums. Four Vedas, six Vedangas, Upanishads, Darshanas, Puranas, and Tarka Shastra. Shiksha, Chhandas, Vyakarana, Nirukta, Jyotisha, and Kalpa were the six Vedangas, while Nyaya, Baiseshika, Yoga, Vedanta, Sankhya, and Mimasa were the Darshanas. Grammar, algebra, geometry, art, and literature were significant as well. In universities like Nalanda, students had a reasonable exposure to all 5 Vidyas in their secondary education before they could choose their specializations.

The third and the key is how teaching and learning happened in Ancient India. The widely known methods are (1) Sravana (Listening), (2) Manana (Intellectual apprehension of truth), and (3) Nididhyasana (Realization). Kautily also mentions an 8-step process for the Vedic study. Conferences and debates happened often, exposing students to different opinions, and ideologies. Most importantly teaching them to be unbiased and exploratory. Storytelling was another means through which education was imparted.

Undoubtedly Ancient Indian education had a Holistic approach. Development in all five domains namely, physical, social, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual was significant.

Realization of knowledge was the aim, not memorization. Memorization was and is important but that alone does not define education. The relationship between the teacher and the student is what nourishes and escalates the whole process of education. The teacher was not just a guide but a critique as well as a well-wisher. Chores were an inevitable part of education. The guru would always observe students when an assignment or a chore was assigned. This made the education process personalized. Each student was assigned and taught in ways suitable for his ability.

Inspired by the methods, curriculum, and the essence of the Ancient Indian Education System a framework of educational objectives has been formulated. This framework has five main objectives namely, Cognitive, Affective, Psychomotor, spiritual, and Teacher-student relationship.
1. Cognitive Objectives - It is divided into two parts, One being knowledge acquisition, and Intellectual skills development.
2. Affective Objectives - It focuses on two things: emotional and ethical development. The ultimate objective is character building.
3. Psychomotor Objectives - deals with physical development and practical and vocational skills.
4. Spiritual Objectives - Focuses on fostering inner peace, mindfulness, and concentration along with encouraging exploration of different ideas.
5. Teacher-student relationship - Fostering a deep and friendly yet straightforward relationship between teacher and student.

There is so much to learn from the Ancient Indian Education system. The educational objectives put forward are an attempt. There are multiple ways through which the Ancient Indian education system can be perceived. This attempt was inspired by Ancient Indian Education acknowledging that there can be a more comprehensive and exquisite framework of educational objectives.

Spurthi P
Intern, CESS
3rd Semester, BBA, LL.B.(Hons)
School of Law, R V University, Bengaluru

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