Education on Sanatana Dharma

Education on Sanatana Dharma is a page on the prospective educational steps that may be undertaken by an individual to initiate oneself, or the future generations into the concept of Sanatana Dharma. The table here, explains the Varna specific responsibilities of individuals in different stages of life, as well as an enumeration on personal role in the process of following these steps.

Age group	Responsibilities as per Varna	Personal Role
गर्भपूर्वावस्था ॥ Before Conception Understanding the Varna Dharma or Svadharma as explained in the Bhagavad Gita. Acquiring knowledge, strengths and skills as per one's Varna and building habits accordingly. Following Yama and Niyama.	Brahmana Varna Taking steps necessary to become a teacher. Being disciplined in Svadhyaya, understanding the knowledge obtained from Svadhyaya and taking efforts to understand the various elements of the society from a practical and time relevant point of view. Learning by heart the stotras like Ekatmata Stotra. Studying the current Cultural map of India. Understanding and enabling the explanation of the history of India's geography. Kshatriya Varna Undertaking things essential for protection. Trying to better one's own health, strengths and war skills; creating an association or joining an association. Learning by heart stotras like the Ekatmata stotra. Studying the current Cultural map of India. Understanding the geographical history of India. Vaishya Varna Taking efforts to fulfill the monetary, infrastructural and resource related needs of the teachers and protectors. Aligning with military organisations. Learning by heart stotras like the Ekatmata stotra. Studying the current Cultural map of India. Understanding the geographical history of India.	Deciding one's role keeping in mind one's age and performing the prescribed activities therein. Staying clear of any trouble by avoiding those activities whose execution is beyond one's capacity.
गर्भावस्था ॥ During Pregnancy In this state, the mother plays a prime role with the father lending a supportive hand. All those activities prescribed for the stage of 'before conception' that can be performed now, should be continued with the permission of a medical adviser. The foundation of Yama and Niyama explained in the Ashtanga Yoga should be laid in this stage. And internalising Yama and Niyama is indispensable for all the varnas.	Brahmana Varna Reading Bharatiya Shastriya Sahitya. Constantly thinking and contemplating on them. Discussing the subject matter in these texts with people of different age groups. Looking out for people who are keen to acquaint themselves with this knowledge and guiding them. Making use of stories in this regard while engaging children. For eg. The story of Yudhisthira. Learning by heart stotras like the Ekatmata stotra. Studying the current Cultural map of India. Kshatriya Varna Reading and teaching the stories of Samrats and the protectors of Dharma. Aiming at improving physical strength, health, war skills with due care for the state of pregnancy under the guidance of a medical adviser. Acquiring the company of Upholders of Dharma. Learning by heart stotras like the Ekatmata stotra. Studying the current Cultural map of India. Vaishya Varna Acquiring the company of Upholders of Dharma. Donating money, providing time and facilities. Reading and teaching the stories of Raja Raghu and Harshavardhana. Learning byheart stotras like the Ekatmata stotra. Studying the current Cultural map of India.	Deciding one's role keeping in mind one's age and performing the prescribed activities therein. Staying clear of any trouble by avoiding those activities whose execution is beyond one's capacity.
शैशवम् ॥ Childhood (Until the age of 5years) Here too, implicitly, the main role is of the mother. While the father, and the other members of the family will lend a helping hand. Ensuring the practice of Yama and Niyama.	Brahmana Varna Showing the Cultural map of India to the child. Making images of Veda Vyasa, Yajnavalkya, Madhvacharya Vidyaranya, Tukaram, Ramdas, Guru Govinda Sinha; making the child bow to them; telling their stories to them; making them dress like them; thereby inspiring them to become like them. Getting them to learn by heart the explanation of the terms Bharata and Hindustan. Getting them to learn byheart stotras like the Ekatmata stotra. Showing them the Cultural map of India and making them draw it. Kshatriya Varna Showing the Cultural map of India to the child. Telling them the valorous stories of Samrats, Ramayana and Mahabharata. Telling them the stories of Raja Raghu, Harshavardhana, Bappa Raval, Shivaji, Ranjit Singh, etc. Inspiring the child to build strength by telling them the stories of Hanuman, Bhima, etc. Getting them to learn byheart stotras like the Ekatmata stotra. Vaishya Varna Showing the Cultural map of India to the child. Telling them the stories of Raja Raghu, Harshavardhana, Bhama Shah, Damaji, etc. Getting them to learn byheart stotras like the Ekatmata stotra.	Deciding one's role keeping in mind one's age and performing the prescribed activities therein. Staying clear of any trouble by avoiding those activities whose execution is beyond one's capacity.
बाल्यम् ॥ Childhood (From the age between 6 to 10 years) From here onwards, the role, though not explicit, 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 age is extremely conducive to inculcation of good habits. In this regard, the following are suggested. In this phase, reprimanding according to the need is accepted. Getting them to chant stotras like the Ekatmata stotra everyday. Having meals collectively. Telling them stories of Sambhaji, Banda Bairagi, Bala Hakikat, Sikh Guru putras. Making them read and recite stories of great and valorous women like Anasuya, Lopamudra, Gargi, Maitreyi, Kunti, Draupadi, Satyabhama, Sita, Savitri, Bharati, Rani Rudramba, Rani Channamma, Tarabai, etc. as also of revolutionaries, Veda Vyasa, Yajnavalkya, Madhvacharya Vidyaranya, Tukaram, Ramdas, Guru Govind Singh, etc. 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.	Brahmana Varna In the light of the points mentioned for बाल्यावस्था, explaining the nature of great brahmanas, kshatriyas and vaishyas; thereby inspiring them to become a great brahmana. Kshatriya Varna In the light of the points mentioned for बाल्यावस्था, explaining the nature of great brahmanas, kshatriyas and vaishyas; thereby inspiring them to become a great kshatriya. Vaishya Varna In the light of the points mentioned for बाल्यावस्था, explaining the nature of great brahmanas, kshatriyas and vaishyas; thereby inspiring them to become a great Vaishya.	Deciding one's role keeping in mind one's age and performing the prescribed activities therein. Staying clear of any trouble by avoiding those activities whose execution is beyond one's capacity.
कौमारम् ॥ Adolescence (Age between 11 and 15 years) Here too, the role, though not explicit, 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 is essential to logically explain the term 'bharatiya'. Explaining 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, Ekatma Manava Darshana, Satyartha Prakasha, etc.