Manthan: Let’s Reflect on the Essence of Education: 1

 

Material for Group Discussion Session

Manthan: Let’s Reflect on the Essence of Education: 1

Thoughts of Maharshi Swami Dayanand Saraswati

CHAPTER 2: Treats of the up-bringing of children

"Mātṛmān Pitṛmān Ācāryavān Puruṣo Veda" – Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa.

1.    "Verily, that man alone can become a great scholar who has had the advantage of three good teachers, viz., father, mother, and preceptor." Blessed is the family, most fortunate is the child whose parents are godly and learned. The mother's healthy influence on her children surpasses that of everyone else. No other person can equal a mother inn her love for her children, or in her anxiety for their welfare.

(Page 20)

2.    The mother's instructions to a child. A mother should so instruct her children as to make them refined in character and manners, and 21 they should never be allowed to misconduct themselves in any way. When the child begins to speak, his mother should see that he uses his tongue properly so as to pronounce letters distinctly in the right place and with the right amount of effort. For pronouncing the letter 'p' for example, that right place is the lips and amount of 'effort' required is what is called Full. In speaking, vowels should be exactly timed- short, long, or prolonged as the case may be. She should try to cultivate a sweet, subdued and pretty voice in her child. In his speech, letters, syllables, words, conjoined words and stops should be distinctly discernible. When he begins to talk and understand a little, he should be taught how to address his superiors and inferiors, father, mother, king and a learned man, and how to conduct himself in their presence; so that he may never be slight in company, but be always treated with respect. Parent should endeavor to inculcate in the minds of their children and intense desire for the love of knowledge, elevating company, and control of the senses. Children should avoid useless playing, crying, laughing and wrangling. They should not give way to excess of pleasures and sorrows, nor become completely engrossed in a thing. Jealousy and malice they should not harbor. They should never handle or rub the reproductive organs, as it causes the loss of the reproductive element and, consequently besides soiling the hand, leads to impotence. The parents should try, in every possible way, to develop in their children such sterling qualities as truthfulness, heroism, patience, cheerfulness, etc. When children attain to the age of 5 years they should be taught the Sanskrit Alphabet, as well as that of foreign languages; thereafter the parents should make them understand and learn by rote such verses ( Vedic), poetical pieces, aphorisms, prose passages, etc. as are full of good precepts, inculcate truth and virtue, love of knowledge and God; and give advice as to the general behavior towards father, mother, sister and other relatives, friends, teachers and other learned men, guests, king, fellow-subjects and servants, sot that they may not, as they grow up, be duped by any unprincipled person. They should also counsel then against all things that lead to superstition, and are opposed to true religion and science, so that they may never give credence to such imaginary things as ghosts (Bhuts) and spirits (Preta).

(Page 22,23)

References:

1. THE LIGHT OF TRUTH (The Satyartha Prakasha) : By Maharishi Swami Dayanand Saraswati

https://www.aryasamaj.davchennai.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Satyarth-Prakash-English.pdf

2.    Dayanand Kay Mhanale: Dr. Girish Bapat, Jnana Prabodhini, Pune

 

Thoughts for discussion

Duties of parents

One becomes enlightened only when parents; mother, father and Acharya (guru) are the three best teachers. Children whose parents are pious and learned are fortunate and the family is blessed. Children receive as much instruction from their mother and as many favours are bestowed on them by no one else. No one else does as a mother loves her children, wants their welfare. Blessed is the mother who exhorts her child to be virtuous from conception to completion of education.

Points for Group discussion:

• ·       Complementary Role of Parents and Teachers
• ·       Language Development and Etiquette
• ·       Inculcating Values
• ·       Avoiding Superstition and Misconduct
• ·       Integrating Academic Education with moral and ethical lessons  

Prashant Divekar

Jnana Prabodhini, Pune