Anaadi Foundation | 6-7 July 2024 | www.anaadi.org/gconf
At the core of Bharatiya Tradition, Gurukulams flourished as centers of holistic education. Here, under the guidance of revered gurus, eager disciples embarked on a quest for knowledge that encompassed not only academic subjects but also spiritual wisdom, ethical values, and practical skills essential for harmonious living. In these sacred spaces, sages and scholars guided eager minds on a journey of self-discovery, imparting not just knowledge of the scriptures and sciences but instilling values of dharma, integrity, and service.
The Gurukulam system, with its emphasis on the guru-shishya parampara and experiential learning, remains a timeless beacon of holistic education.
Bharatiya Shiksha comprising of not just the philosophical framework but also rigorous scientific frameworks and rooted in ancient texts such as the Vedas, Upanishads, and epics like the Mahabharata and Ramayana, embodies the synthesis of spiritual wisdom, ethical conduct, and practical knowledge. It speaks to the interconnectedness of all life, the harmony of existence, and the pursuit of higher truths beyond the material realm.
Anaadi Gurukula Shiksha conference is aimed at developing a better understanding of the essence of Gurukula education and strengthening it in contemporary times making it relevant for the le
The conference was held in the serene ashram of Anaadi Foundation located at the foothills of Iyvar Malai located near Palani in Tamil Nadu. Anaadi Foundation is a spiritual organisation started in 2015 by Siddhayogi Shriman Adinarayanan and Matrushree Ananthalakshmi. The ashram is home to Dhyanalayam, Goshala and Dharma Gurukulam (started in 2021). Since 2015 members of Anaadi Foundation have been tirelessly working for loka sangraha and dharma rakshana through various programs and initiatives blending ancient wisdom and contemporary science and technology. The foundation recently started Svadharma Gurukulam in Hyderabad.
The events at the conference were partly sponsored by INDICA.
Objectives and Themes
The purpose of the conference transcends mere discourse;Through scholarly inquiry, practical insights, and spirited dialogue, we seek to explore the relevance of Gurukulam education and Bharatiya Shiksha in the contemporary world.
Bringing together Gurukulams offering a wide-range of Kalas and Vidyas
Examining the contemporary relevance and challenges of reviving Gurukulam-style learning environments in modern society.
Investigating pedagogical practices, curriculum design, and assessment methods inspired by Gurukulam education and Bharatiya Shiksha.
Reflecting on the role of technology in preserving and disseminating traditional knowledge while fostering innovation.
Fostering interdisciplinary collaborations and community partnerships to advance the cause of holistic education.
Exploring possibilities of creating a common platform to bring Gurukulams together and enable exchange of vidya, vidyarthis and acharyas.
Envisioning the future of education through the lens of Gurukulam principles and Bharatiya Shiksha values.
Proceedings
Day 1 : July 6, 2024
Introduction
The conference started with the introductory note by Brahmachari Gurupriya Chaitanya. He introduced Anaadi Foundation, the members of the foundation and brought out the significance of kshetra and how it is guided by the siddhas and Murugan (Skanda). Gurupriya Chaitanya Ji also highlighted the genesis of the conference and how this will pave the way for common understanding and joint work together.
Anaadi Dharma Gurukula Vidyarthis formally started the proceedings with the Medha Sukta Ghana Patham.
Keynote Address
The keynote address at the conference was delivered by His Holiness Sri Sri Abhinava Shankara Bharati Mahaswamiji, 72nd Peedadipati of Sharada Peetham Kudali Sringeri Maha Sansthanam.
Mahaswamiji in his talk highlighted the purpose of education and the various forms of education: education that liberates, education that produces and education that enables. Mahaswamiji emphasised the “kutumbha” or family at the core of education and how the bhava of a family has to be brought out while creating Gurukulams. Mahaswamiji beautifully mentioned the 5 aspects of education: Kaala, Kashaa, Parikshaa, Pustaka and Sarkaara Dayaa nirapeksha i.e education not being bound by time, classroom, examinations, books and encouraged an independent functioning.
Mahaswamiji’s talk was extremely inspiring and assuring to the participants that one is not alone in the journey and the journey is rewarding as it impacts the lives of children. Mahaswamiji also met the founders of various Gurukulas in person.
Performances
Anaadi Dharma Gurukula Vidyarthis showcased their talent through Yoga Nritya which was a blend of complex yogic Postures, group formations and synchronisations. The audience were thrilled to see the flexibility of the children.
Followed by this was an insightful and humorous Sanskrit play highlighting the life in Anaadi Dharma Gurukulam, the daily schedule, curriculum, pedagogy and the impact it has on the deha, prana and chitta of the vidyarthi.
Inaugural Talks
The first inaugural talk was delivered by Sh. Prof. Shrinivasa Varakhedi, Vice Chancellor of Central Sanskrit University. In his talk, he emphasized the sacredness of the Guru Shishya parampara and shared fond memories of his own Gurukula education. An important insight he shared was that the Gurukula education is all about “disciplined way of living and free thinking”. In today’s context, thinking is restricted and living is about freedom and this seems to be creating a lot of issues in society. Prof. Varakhedi highlighted the importance of Bharariya Bhasha and samskritam.
The second inaugural talk was delivered by Prof. Saroj Sharma, Chairperson NIOS. Prof. Saroj Sharma beautifully explained the support offered by National Institute of Open Learning for Gurukula learners. It was amazing to see the well thought out efforts to support Indian Knowledge Traditions based learners and the multitude of avenues through accreditation and MoUs. The Regional Director, Sh. Santhanam too explained about the Tamil Nadu context. Prof. Sharma’s talk also opened up possibilities for a lot of questions and clarifications encouraging the participating Gurukulas to make full use of provisions available in NIOS.
Siddhayogi Shriman Adinarayanan and Matrushree Ananthalakshmi then spoke briefly about the overall vision of the conference and the possibilities to join hands and work together for common goals yet preserving the diversity of activities.
Roundtable Discussion
The roundtable discussion on the Future of Gurukula Education was facilitated by Sh. Shivakumar GV of Indica and Brahmachari Gurupriya Chaitanya of Anaadi Foundation.
The significance of the roundtable discussion was evident as Mahaswamiji, Prof. Varakhedi and Prof. Saroj Sharma stayed back despite their travel plans.
In the presence of the above dignitaries, a round table discussion was organised with the participation of various Gurukulam Founders and Experts. The five themes for the discussion shared with all panelists were:
Present & Future of Gurukulas
Content & Pedagogy Aspects
Management & Administrative Best Practices
Seeking Collaborations from Other Gurukulas and IKS ecosystem
List of Roundtable Experts who had participated include:
Sh. Muneet Dhiman, Vidyakshetra
Sh. Ganesh Ramakrishnan and Smt. Aarti Ganesh, Gyankul
Sh. Gadhadhar, Rishi Vatika Gurukulam
Smt. Harini, Agastya Gurukulam
Sh. Nisarg Joshi, Shardul Shishu Vihar
Yamuna Harshavardhana, Bharatiya Shiskha Mandal
Sh. Srinivas, Purnapramati
Sh. Ramaswamy, Medha Gurukulam
Sh. Srinivas Jammalamadaka, Kameswari Foundation
Sh. Vasudevasutadas, Vidyaranya Gurukul
Prabhu. Govinda Das
Sh. Shankararama Sharma
Sh.Vinoth, Tamil Padasalai, Chennai
Maa Nirmuta, Isha Samskriti
Ambas of Saradha Ashram Ulundurpet
Shyam and Shefali Ji, Swadhaa
Gurukula Founder Talks
Followed by the roundtable discussion was talks by Founders of a few Gurukulas across Bharat.
Sh. Muneet Dhiman of Vidyakshetra highlighted the goals of education as envisioned at Vidyakshetra. He showed the many sustainable products : woven and naturally dyed cloth and pottery skills of Vidyakshtra vidyarthis. He also shared how the experts in the field whose artha depends on the skills are the ones who teach the vidyarthis making the vidya very authentic.
Sh. Nisarg Joshi shared the core objectives of Shardul Shishu Vihar, Vadodara and how it started as a 2 member initiative and now connects several families committed to the Gurukula way of learning. He also shared about Shardul Purusha, an envisioned ideal who embodies the core principles that can be imbibed from.
Prof. Ganesh Ramakrishnan and Arti Ganesh ji shared about the efforts at Gyankul, Mumbai, a day Gurukula for children. Prof. Ganesh also showcased the efforts taken to preserve source texts, manuscripts and facilitate translations using AI/ML.
Gurupuja and Bhajans
It was an enthralling bhajan night. All the participants joined the Gurupuja and Bhajans at Kriya Dhyanalayam in the divine presence of Kriya Babaji, Agastya Maharishi and Adi Sankara Bhagavatpada.
Various Gurukulas including Purnapramati and Vidyakshetra presented bhajans and the entire audience joined them. Unable to contain the excitement, a few participants danced to the various namasankeertanams that were offered.
Day 2 : July 7, 2024
Inaugural Talk
The day began with the address of Prabhu Govindadasa Ji who is an educationist and author working towards the enhancement of Gurukula Education. He presented the need for protecting this form of education and how to build the necessary strength: physical, emotional and cognitive to counter the negative forces.
Panel Discussion
The inaugural talk was followed by a panel discussion facilitated by Dr. Mala Kapadia, Director, Center for Indigenous Knowledge Systems. The panel hosted Sh. Shankara Rama Sharma, Vedic Scholar representing Vyoma Labs, Dr. Srinivasa Jammalamadaka, Vedic Scholar, Nyaya Shastri, Co-Founder Kameswari Foundation and member of Siddhanta Knowledge Foundation and Dr. Anurag Deshpande, JSDIVSR Nagpur and IKS Division, MoE.
Sh. Shankara Rama Sharma presented the learning pathway available in Vyoma Labs for Gurukula vidyarthis and how all parikshas in Sanskrit can be cracked with the resources available on Vyoma. Dr. Srinivas J fondly recalled his Gurukula days which was a blend of rigour, seva and jnana. That kind of a Gurukula education is rare to see these days, he added. Dr. Anurag Deshpande brought out his efforts along with Acharya Shreyas Kuhrekar to revive Gurukula education through JSDIVSR, Nagpur. He also shared about IKS Division’s efforts in empaneling traditional scholars and experts for internships and projects.
Bharatiya Drishti Talks
The panel was followed by talk on Bharatiya Drishti by Dr. Pankaj Saxena and Sh. Raghava Krishana, Founders of Brhat. Sh. Raghava Krishna shared the need for creating institutions that will ensure the socio-economic well-being of Gurukulas and the vidyarthis and how Brhat is creating the necessary tools to communicate Bharatiya culture on global platforms.
Dr. Pankaj Saxena emphaised the need for Sadhana and fondly shared memories about his Guru (Professor) who put him to test for 4 years before initiating him into Sadhana.
The conference concluded with the talk of Guru Dampati Shriman Adinarayanan and Matrushree Ananthalakshmi. The dampati shared their vision for Anaadi Dharma Gurukulam and how it came to be. The stability of any Gurukula rests on the sadhana, conviction and jnana of the people who envisioned the Gurukula. The need for sadhana by all stakeholders of the Gurukula process was clearly brought out.
The other aspect of Gurukula education is the need for infrastructure and economic outcomes for the vidyarthis. The dampati shared how the seva and thyaga of the Gurukula teachers and parents is what actually runs a Gurukula and artha was a support mechanism. When the financial insecurities of the society are taken care by the elders in the system and not imposed on the vidyarthis, then learning can become joyous and unconditional.
Overall the conference was a meeting of great thinkers, field experts and action-oriented leaders. We hope that this conference, like many other efforts happening elsewhere, will sow the seeds of reinvigorating Gurukula education.
The speakers received a copy of Anaadi Foundation’s newly released book “Panchakosha Pathway”.
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