Saraswatee Goddess Of Knowledge – Its Real Vedic Ethos

Education covers the entire spectrum of knowledge which essentially means  education had to be an omnidirectional, vision in all aspects of life and in all fields one was taught as to how each individually to be useful to his family , society nation and the entire world. This broad vision imparted by the Rishis to the public helped in making the nation not only educated, in its real sense but also commanded to impart knowledge to all irrespective of cast or creed and protect the country and ensure the citizens with low biding the business community earned wealth for the nation and the another section of the society ensured the proper working of all Services.

You will note the education as presented per Vedic Ethos :-

Education is represented as a goddess – “Saraswatee’. This lady is pictured as the goddess sitting on a Lotus flower, in a pool of water. She has 4 arms and 4 hands. She is holding in one hand a book, in the other a rosary of beads and with other two hands; she is playing a Veeņaa a string musical instrument. All these objects represent different functions – 

The Book represents theoretical knowledge. 

The rosary, which consists of many beads, tied by a common thread passing through them, when one plays on the rosary, one bead pushes the other in front of it, which pushes next, making the rosary move constantly. The significance of putting a rosary in the hand of Saraswatee; means that, though one had acquired a theoretical book knowledge, one is useless, if one does not know how to coordinate and tie himself with others, and have not learnt to help other’s progress. 

The main object of education was to learn and thoroughly coordinate oneself with others and help the community & nation in its progress, instead of only looking after one’s own progress and profits.

Once the child entered the Guru’s Home, he lived there as a family member. The preceptor behaved like a father and his wife, their mother. There they all lived together, ate together and generated a very happy and pleasant atmosphere. Before they started each meal, they avowed thus:-

vkse~&lg ukS vorq lg ukS Hkquäq lg oh;± A

djokogS rstfLouko/khre~ vLrq ek fof}lkk ogS AA

“AUM’  saha  now avatu saha  now bhunaktow saha  veeryam

Karvaavahai tejasvinaavadheetam astu maa vidvişaa vahai”

It means:

Oh, Lord of the cosmos: may (now avatu) we always protect and look after each other, (saha now bhunaktow) together may we feed and nourish each other, (Saha) together may we (veeryam) develop energy and strength and enjoy it (now) may we (astu) make all (adheetam) our studies and learn together (Tejasvi) and may our learning be glorious and praiseworthy (Maa) Let none of us ever (Vidvişaa vaha) bear enemity or malice towards each other.

These five Yamas and five Niyamas were practiced by each student, besides studies and thus they developed mastery on their senses.

Each was Jitendriya that is each had obtained victory over all his passions. There is no other culture which preaches to master one’s senses and temptations. 

But many religious philosophies preach that because there is only one life and when God offers them opportunities to enjoy, why should they not enjoy it.

Education, according to Veda, is to be donated free to all. It is not a commodity to be sold, as is being done today in schools and colleges. Knowledge is a double edged sword, it can cut bothways (good or bad) if not properly applied. To avoid this misapplication of knowledge, the pupil, was sent to Homes where he had to live with the preceptor (aacharya) for a pretty long time. 

The idea of living with the preceptor was to develop in him good human and humane qualities before education was handed to him as his guide line for life.

The ‘Home’ was almost a compact family system and not like the present Boarding Houses. There used to be big ‘Homes’ of many great sages, where many students called Brahmachaarees used to get education. Those Homes were called Aashramas of reknowned Ŗşis. There was forest Universities called Aaranyakas. Once the Brahmacharee entered the Home, the process of discipline would start. Each student was to practice Yoga, step by step learn its eight stages. For the mental cleanliness & control, one had to practice Yama and Niyamas”.
The author is Founder Trustee, Dr. Satyakam Bharadwaj Vedic Research Foundation