Changes

# Making them read and recite stories of Indian scientists like Kanad, Kapila, Varahamihira, Bhaskaracharya, Nagarjuna, etc. So also of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.

# Making them read and recite stories of Indian scientists like Kanad, Kapila, Varahamihira, Bhaskaracharya, Nagarjuna, etc. So also of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.

# Making them aware of India's glorious past and her pioneering status.

# Making them aware of India's glorious past and her pioneering status.

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=== ब्राह्मणवर्णः ॥ Brahmana Varna ===

=== ब्राह्मणवर्णः ॥ Brahmana Varna ===

== कौमारम् ॥ Adolescence (Age between 11 and 15 years) ==

== कौमारम् ॥ Adolescence (Age between 11 and 15 years) ==

**Here too, the role of the father as well as the guru who is referred to as Manasa Pita is of prime importance. Mother and other family members lend a helping hand.

**Here too, the role of the father as well as the guru who is referred to as Manasa Pita is of prime importance. Mother and other family members lend a helping hand.

**This is the age where children begin to use their intellect. Therefore, it would be most appropriate to explain the importance of working, behaving and taking responsibities as per one's varna.

**Motivating them to study, think and contemplate on books like [[Bhagavad Gita (भगवद्गीता)|Bhagavad Gita]], Ekatma Manava Darshana, Satyartha Prakasha, etc.

**This is the age where children begin to use their intellect. Therefore, it would be most appropriate to explain the importance of working, behaving and taking responsibilities as per one's varna.  

**The teaching that is of prime importance in this stage of life as described in the Taittiriya upanishad (First Adhyaya, 11th Anuvaka) is as follows:<blockquote>सत्यं वद ।  धर्मञ्चर ।  स्वाध्यायान्मा प्रमदः । आचार्याय प्रियं धनमाहृत्य प्रजातन्तुं मा व्यवच्छेत्सीः । सत्यान्न प्रमदितव्यम् । धर्मान्न प्रमदितव्यम् । कुशलान्न प्रमदितव्यम् । भूत्यै न प्रमदितव्यम् । स्वाध्यायप्रवचनाभ्यां न प्रमदितव्यम् ॥ १॥<ref name=":2">Swami Sharvananda (1921), [<nowiki>http://estudantedavedanta.net/Taittiriya%20Upanishad%20-%20Swami%20Sarvanand%20</nowiki>&#x5B;Sanskrit-English&#x5D;.pdf Taittiriya Upanishad], Madras:The Ramakrishna Math.</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''satyaṁ vada । dharmañcara । svādhyāyānmā pramadaḥ । ācāryāya priyaṁ dhanamāhr̥tya prajātantuṁ mā vyavacchetsīḥ । satyānna pramaditavyam । dharmānna pramaditavyam । kuśalānna pramaditavyam । bhūtyai na pramaditavyam । svādhyāyapravacanābhyāṁ na pramaditavyam ॥ 1॥''</blockquote>Meaning: Speak the Truth. Perform Dharma. Do not neglect your daily Study. Offer to the Teacher whatever pleases him. Do not cut off the line of progeny. Do not neglect Truth. Do not neglect Virtue. Do not neglect Welfare. Do not neglect Prosperity. Do not neglect Study and Teaching.<blockquote>देवपितृकार्याभ्यां न प्रमदितव्यम् । मातृदेवो भव । पितृदेवो भव । आचार्यदेवो भव । अतिथिदेवो भव । यान्यनवद्यानि कर्माणि तानि सेवितव्यानि । नो इतराणि । यान्यस्माकं सुचरितानि । तानि त्वयोपास्यानि । नो इतराणि ॥ २॥<ref name=":2" /></blockquote><blockquote>''devapitr̥kāryābhyāṁ na pramaditavyam । mātr̥devo bhava । pitr̥devo bhava । ācāryadevo bhava । atithidevo bhava । yānyanavadyāni karmāṇi tāni sevitavyāni । no itarāṇi । yānyasmākaṁ sucaritāni । tāni tvayopāsyāni । no itarāṇi ॥ 2॥''</blockquote>Meaning: Do not neglect your duty towards the Gods and the Ancestors. Regard the Mother as your God. Regard the Father as your God. Regard the Teacher as your God. Regard the Guest as your God. Whatever deeds are blameless, they are to be practised, not others. Only the good practices are among us are to be adopted by you, not others.<blockquote>ये के चारुमच्छ्रेया सो ब्राह्मणाः ।  तेषां त्वयाऽऽसनेन प्रश्वसितव्यम् । श्रद्धया देयम् । अश्रद्धयाऽदेयम् । श्रिया देयम् । ह्रिया देयम् । भिया देयम् । संविदा देयम् । अथ यदि ते कर्मविचिकित्सा वा |<ref name=":2" /></blockquote><blockquote>''ye ke cārumacchreyā so brāhmaṇāḥ । teṣāṁ tvayā<nowiki>''sanena praśvasitavyam । śraddhayā deyam । aśraddhayā'</nowiki>deyam । śriyā deyam । hriyā deyam । bhiyā deyam । saṁvidā deyam ।''</blockquote>Meaning: Whatever Brahmins there are superior to us, should be honoured by you by offering a seat. Gift should be given with shraddha, it should not be given without Shraddha, should be given in Plenty, with Modesty, with Awe, with compassion.<blockquote>ये तत्र ब्राह्मणाः संमर्शिनः । युक्ता आयुक्ताः । अलूक्षा धर्मकामाः स्युः । यथा ते तत्र वर्तेरन् । तथा तत्र वर्तेथाः । अथाभ्याख्यातेषु । ये तत्र ब्राह्मणाः संमर्शिनः । युक्ता आयुक्ताः । अलूक्षा धर्मकामाः स्युः । यथा ते तेषु वर्तेरन् । तथा तेषु वर्तेथाः । एष आदेशः । एष उपदेशः । एषा वेदोपनिषत् । एतदनुशासनम् । एवमुपासितव्यम् । एवमु चैतदुपास्यम् ॥४॥<ref name=":2" /></blockquote><blockquote>''ye tatra brāhmaṇāḥ saṁmarśinaḥ । yuktā āyuktāḥ । alūkṣā dharmakāmāḥ syuḥ । yathā te tatra varteran । tathā tatra vartethāḥ । athābhyākhyāteṣu । ye tatra brāhmaṇāḥ saṁmarśinaḥ । yuktā āyuktāḥ । alūkṣā dharmakāmāḥ syuḥ । yathā te teṣu varteran । tathā teṣu vartethāḥ । eṣa ādeśaḥ । eṣa upadeśaḥ । eṣā vedopaniṣat । etadanuśāsanam । evamupāsitavyam । evamu caitadupāsyam ॥4॥''</blockquote>Meaning: As the Brahmanas who are competent to judge, adept in Duty, not led by others, not harsh, not led by passion, in the manner they would behave thus should you behave. Then as to the persons accused of guilt  like the Brahmanas who are adept at deliberation  who are competent to judge, not directed by others  not harsh, not moved by passion,  as they would behave in such cases  thus should you behave. This is the Command. This is the Teaching. This is the secret Doctrine of the Veda. This is the Instruction. Thus should one worship. Thus indeed should one worship.<blockquote>आचार्यात् पादमादत्ते पादं शिष्यः स्वमेधया । सब्रह्मचारिभ्यः पादं पादं कालक्रमेण च ॥</blockquote><blockquote>''ācāryāt pādamādatte pādaṁ śiṣyaḥ svamedhayā । sabrahmacāribhyaḥ pādaṁ pādaṁ kālakrameṇa ca ॥''</blockquote>Meaning: one fourth from the teacher, one fourth from own intelligence, one fourth from classmates, and one fourth only with time. Brahmacharyashrama : After the completion of childhood (around eight or nine years), an individual was required to take to higher education and to maintain celibacy to conserve physical, moral and mental energy and to devote himself to the studies for a period of about twelve to fifteen years. During this period the main obligation of an individual was to acquire knowledge and to increase his knowledge by research. This ashrama was not only intended to earn knowledge to earn for a comfortable life, but also to enable the discharge of one of the pious obligations, 'Rishiruna' ( debt due to teachers) namely acquisition and dissemination of knowledge. An individual was also required to cultivate moral character and discipline which would enable him to develop his personality so that he would not only be useful to himself but also to the members of the family and to society as well. In today's times, education including physical fitness and moral education during the first period (Studentship).

**Motivating them to study, think and contemplate on books like [[Bhagavad Gita (भगवद्गीता)|Bhagavad Gita]], Ekatma Manava Darshana, Satyartha Prakasha, etc.

**This is the stage where there is development of the Manomaya and Vijnanamaya kosha.

**The teaching in the context of Samavartana samskara as given in the Shikshavalli of the Taittiriya upanishad (First Adhyaya, 11th Anuvaka) is of prime importance in this stage of life:<blockquote>सत्यं वद ।  धर्मञ्चर ।  स्वाध्यायान्मा प्रमदः । आचार्याय प्रियं धनमाहृत्य प्रजातन्तुं मा व्यवच्छेत्सीः । सत्यान्न प्रमदितव्यम् । धर्मान्न प्रमदितव्यम् । कुशलान्न प्रमदितव्यम् । भूत्यै न प्रमदितव्यम् । स्वाध्यायप्रवचनाभ्यां न प्रमदितव्यम् ॥ १॥<ref name=":2">Swami Sharvananda (1921), [<nowiki>http://estudantedavedanta.net/Taittiriya%20Upanishad%20-%20Swami%20Sarvanand%20</nowiki>&#x5B;Sanskrit-English&#x5D;.pdf Taittiriya Upanishad], Madras:The Ramakrishna Math.</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''satyaṁ vada । dharmañcara । svādhyāyānmā pramadaḥ । ācāryāya priyaṁ dhanamāhr̥tya prajātantuṁ mā vyavacchetsīḥ । satyānna pramaditavyam । dharmānna pramaditavyam । kuśalānna pramaditavyam । bhūtyai na pramaditavyam । svādhyāyapravacanābhyāṁ na pramaditavyam ॥ 1॥''</blockquote>Meaning: Speak the Truth. Perform Dharma. Do not neglect your daily Study. Offer to the Teacher whatever pleases him. Do not cut off the line of progeny. Do not neglect Truth. Do not neglect Virtue. Do not neglect Welfare. Do not neglect Prosperity. Do not neglect Study and Teaching.<blockquote>देवपितृकार्याभ्यां न प्रमदितव्यम् । मातृदेवो भव । पितृदेवो भव । आचार्यदेवो भव । अतिथिदेवो भव । यान्यनवद्यानि कर्माणि तानि सेवितव्यानि । नो इतराणि । यान्यस्माकं सुचरितानि । तानि त्वयोपास्यानि । नो इतराणि ॥ २॥<ref name=":2" /></blockquote><blockquote>''devapitr̥kāryābhyāṁ na pramaditavyam । mātr̥devo bhava । pitr̥devo bhava । ācāryadevo bhava । atithidevo bhava । yānyanavadyāni karmāṇi tāni sevitavyāni । no itarāṇi । yānyasmākaṁ sucaritāni । tāni tvayopāsyāni । no itarāṇi ॥ 2॥''</blockquote>Meaning: Do not neglect your duty towards the Gods and the Ancestors. Regard the Mother as your God. Regard the Father as your God. Regard the Teacher as your God. Regard the Guest as your God. Whatever deeds are blameless, they are to be practised, not others. Only the good practices are among us are to be adopted by you, not others.<blockquote>ये के चारुमच्छ्रेया सो ब्राह्मणाः ।  तेषां त्वयाऽऽसनेन प्रश्वसितव्यम् । श्रद्धया देयम् । अश्रद्धयाऽदेयम् । श्रिया देयम् । ह्रिया देयम् । भिया देयम् । संविदा देयम् । अथ यदि ते कर्मविचिकित्सा वा |<ref name=":2" /></blockquote><blockquote>''ye ke cārumacchreyā so brāhmaṇāḥ । teṣāṁ tvayā<nowiki>''sanena praśvasitavyam । śraddhayā deyam । aśraddhayā'</nowiki>deyam । śriyā deyam । hriyā deyam । bhiyā deyam । saṁvidā deyam ।''</blockquote>Meaning: Whatever Brahmins there are superior to us, should be honoured by you by offering a seat. Gift should be given with shraddha, it should not be given without Shraddha, should be given in Plenty, with Modesty, with Awe, with compassion.<blockquote>ये तत्र ब्राह्मणाः संमर्शिनः । युक्ता आयुक्ताः । अलूक्षा धर्मकामाः स्युः । यथा ते तत्र वर्तेरन् । तथा तत्र वर्तेथाः । अथाभ्याख्यातेषु । ये तत्र ब्राह्मणाः संमर्शिनः । युक्ता आयुक्ताः । अलूक्षा धर्मकामाः स्युः । यथा ते तेषु वर्तेरन् । तथा तेषु वर्तेथाः । एष आदेशः । एष उपदेशः । एषा वेदोपनिषत् । एतदनुशासनम् । एवमुपासितव्यम् । एवमु चैतदुपास्यम् ॥४॥<ref name=":2" /></blockquote><blockquote>''ye tatra brāhmaṇāḥ saṁmarśinaḥ । yuktā āyuktāḥ । alūkṣā dharmakāmāḥ syuḥ । yathā te tatra varteran । tathā tatra vartethāḥ । athābhyākhyāteṣu । ye tatra brāhmaṇāḥ saṁmarśinaḥ । yuktā āyuktāḥ । alūkṣā dharmakāmāḥ syuḥ । yathā te teṣu varteran । tathā teṣu vartethāḥ । eṣa ādeśaḥ । eṣa upadeśaḥ । eṣā vedopaniṣat । etadanuśāsanam । evamupāsitavyam । evamu caitadupāsyam ॥4॥''</blockquote>Meaning: As the Brahmanas who are competent to judge, adept in Duty, not led by others, not harsh, not led by passion, in the manner they would behave thus should you behave. Then as to the persons accused of guilt  like the Brahmanas who are adept at deliberation  who are competent to judge, not directed by others  not harsh, not moved by passion,  as they would behave in such cases  thus should you behave. This is the Command. This is the Teaching. This is the secret Doctrine of the Veda. This is the Instruction. Thus should one worship. Thus indeed should one worship.<blockquote>आचार्यात् पादमादत्ते पादं शिष्यः स्वमेधया । सब्रह्मचारिभ्यः पादं पादं कालक्रमेण च ॥</blockquote><blockquote>''ācāryāt pādamādatte pādaṁ śiṣyaḥ svamedhayā । sabrahmacāribhyaḥ pādaṁ pādaṁ kālakrameṇa ca ॥''</blockquote>Meaning: one fourth from the teacher, one fourth from own intelligence, one fourth from classmates, and one fourth only with time.  

 

Brahmacharyashrama : After the completion of childhood (around eight or nine years), an individual was required to take to higher education and to maintain celibacy to conserve physical, moral and mental energy and to devote himself to the studies for a period of about twelve to fifteen years. During this period the main obligation of an individual was to acquire knowledge and to increase his knowledge by research. This ashrama was not only intended to earn knowledge to earn for a comfortable life, but also to enable the discharge of one of the pious obligations, 'Rishiruna' ( debt due to teachers) namely acquisition and dissemination of knowledge. An individual was also required to cultivate moral character and discipline which would enable him to develop his personality so that he would not only be useful to himself but also to the members of the family and to society as well. In today's times, education including physical fitness and moral education during the first period (Studentship).

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=== ब्राह्मणवर्णः ॥ Brahmana Varna ===

=== ब्राह्मणवर्णः ॥ Brahmana Varna ===

* Joining associations with similar thoughts.

* Joining associations with similar thoughts.

* Accumulating strength and training in the various forms of defence like Niyuddha, Danda yuddha and rifle shooting.

* Accumulating strength and training in the various forms of defence like Niyuddha, Danda yuddha and rifle shooting.

=== वैश्यवर्णः ॥ Vaishya Varna ===

=== वैश्यवर्णः ॥ Vaishya Varna ===

* At this stage, a youth is capable of doing a lot of things as per his/her free will and understanding.

* At this stage, a youth is capable of doing a lot of things as per his/her free will and understanding.

* Keeping one's behaviour conducive to the Varna.

* Keeping one's behaviour conducive to the Varna.

* Presenting oneself to take up greater responsibilities as well as aiming for lokasangraha (integration). <blockquote>सुखार्थिनः कुतो विद्या नास्ति विद्यार्थिनः सुखम् । सुखार्थी वा त्यजेद्विद्यां विद्यार्थी वा त्यजेत् सुखम् ॥</blockquote><blockquote>''sukhārthinaḥ kuto vidyā nāsti vidyārthinaḥ sukham । sukhārthī vā tyajedvidyāṁ vidyārthī vā tyajet sukham ॥''</blockquote>Meaning: The one who seeks pleasure (doesnt want to take efforts), where is education (wisdom) for such a person ? And there is no pleasure for those who seek knowledge. Those who seek pelasure should give up quest for knowledge and students should give up attachment to pleasures.

* Presenting oneself to take up greater responsibilities as well as aiming for lokasangraha (integration).

<blockquote>सुखार्थिनः कुतो विद्या नास्ति विद्यार्थिनः सुखम् । सुखार्थी वा त्यजेद्विद्यां विद्यार्थी वा त्यजेत् सुखम् ॥</blockquote><blockquote>''sukhārthinaḥ kuto vidyā nāsti vidyārthinaḥ sukham । sukhārthī vā tyajedvidyāṁ vidyārthī vā tyajet sukham ॥''</blockquote>Meaning: The one who seeks pleasure (doesnt want to take efforts), where is education (wisdom) for such a person ? And there is no pleasure for those who seek knowledge. Those who seek pelasure should give up quest for knowledge and students should give up attachment to pleasures.

 

This is the phase in which one may contribute to the educational, governmental and progressive systems. Therefore, responsibilities in this regard may be assigned keeping the duties in mind.  

This is the phase in which one may contribute to the educational, governmental and progressive systems.

Creation of organisations for the propagation, spread, establishment and protection of Dharma.

* Contributing to the teaching and learning facilities within Bharatiyata, Islam, Christianity and communism.

* Contributing to the teaching and learning facilities within Bharatiyata, Islam, Christianity and communism.

* Taking efforts towards preserving the identity of Bharatiyata through formulation of laws, security, etc.

* Taking efforts towards preserving the identity of Bharatiyata through formulation of laws, security, etc.

* Understanding that their difference from the Bhagavad Gita is their distinguishing factor and spreading awareness about these distinguishing factors in a logical way.

* Understanding that their difference from the Bhagavad Gita is their distinguishing factor and spreading awareness about these distinguishing factors in a logical way.

* Acquiring skill in various forms of defence like Niyuddha, Danda yuddha and rifle shooting.

* Acquiring skill in various forms of defence like Niyuddha, Danda yuddha and rifle shooting.

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== विषयसारः ॥ Summary ==

== विषयसारः ॥ Summary ==

The initial stages of शैशवम्, बाल्यम् and किशोरावस्था see the development of conducive mind set. It is adviced to get the dharmashastras and the [[Bhagavad Gita (भगवद्गीता)|Bhagavad Gita]] learnt by heart in this stage. It is in the यौवनम् that an understanding of responsibilities develop. At this stage, texts appropriate at this age are to be made available. And गार्हस्थ्यम् is the stage that has the responsibility to learn and teach. It is also essential to understand that स्त्री and पुरुषः are same at the psychological level. It is the nature of behaviour that is different.

The initial stages of शैशवम्, बाल्यम् and किशोरावस्था see the development of conducive mind set. It is adviced to get the dharmashastras and the [[Bhagavad Gita (भगवद्गीता)|Bhagavad Gita]] learnt by heart in this stage. In these stages the habits of the parents are emulated. It is in the यौवनम् that an understanding of responsibilities develop. At this stage, texts appropriate at this age are to be made available. And गार्हस्थ्यम् is the stage that has the responsibility to learn and teach. It is also essential to understand that स्त्री and पुरुषः are same at the psychological level. It is the nature of behaviour that is different.

In the initial stages, parents are advised to observe the child, having understood one's own Varna Dharma and then chose appropriate games, songs and stories. Varna is obtained based on the fruits of previous actions. The atmosphere is to be created based on the observation. This observation is to be continued through the गर्भावस्था, शैशवम् and बाल्यम्. Other important activities include practice of Sanskrit conversation in a disciplined fashion, collection and rendition of stories, pictures, dramas and games based on respective Varna. In the किशोरावस्था and यौवनम्, there is need for guidance towards one's responsibilities (दायित्वम्). It is the responsibility of a गृहस्थ to give birth to a generation better than oneself and to nurture a feeling of collective social responsibility so that no action goes against the society.   

In the initial stages, parents are advised to observe the child, having understood one's own Varna Dharma and then chose appropriate games, songs and stories. Varna is obtained based on the fruits of previous actions. The atmosphere is to be created based on the observation. This observation is to be continued through the गर्भावस्था, शैशवम् and बाल्यम्. Other important activities include practice of Sanskrit conversation in a disciplined fashion, collection and rendition of stories, pictures, dramas and games based on respective Varna. There should be a reflection of lokasangraha (integration) in the stories and games. In all the stages from शैशवम् to यौवनम्, discussions on the Ramayana is encouraged. One is advised to have conversations of the Ramayana in बाल्य and किशोरावस्था and those of the Mahabharata beginning from the किशोरावस्था. In the किशोरावस्था and यौवनम्, there is need for guidance towards one's responsibilities (दायित्वम्). It is the responsibility of a गृहस्थ to give birth to a generation better than oneself and to nurture a feeling of collective social responsibility so that no action goes against the society.   

This entire exercise will bring to our attention that in this Curriculum of life provided by the Indian tradition, the subject matter covered will total up to give us a coursework for all stages of life beginning with the गर्भपूर्वावस्था  to वृद्धावस्था.

This entire exercise will bring to our attention that in this Curriculum of life provided by the Indian tradition, the subject matter covered will total up to give us a coursework for all stages of life beginning with the गर्भपूर्वावस्था  to वृद्धावस्था.