Gurukula what is it?

[Guest guest]

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

 

"After attaining twice-born status through initiation, the Lords, sincere in

Their vows, took further vow of celibacy from Garga Muni, the spiritual

master of the Yadus."(S.B. 10. 45, 29)

 

In this description, the choice seems to be on the disciple.

What we have seen however is a form of Gurukula where the child is supposed

to accept all instructions and vows, without having any choice.

The above vers also implies a certain maturity of the disciple.

 

" That best of the brahmanas, the spiritual master Sandipani, was satisfied

with their submissive behaviour, and thus he taught Them the entire Vedas,

together with their six corollaries and the Upanisads." (S.B. 10.45.33.)

 

In this description even the spiritual master have a choice, he is not

forced to accept whoever are presented to him no matter what. It has become

an act where both parties have a responsibility by making the choice

themselves.

So censured letterwriting restricted phonecalls and no contact with family

is not part of the original standard, neither teachers with responsibilities

they cant handle and never wanted.

 

"He also taught Them the Dhanur-veda, with its most confidential secrets;

the standard books of law; the methods of logical reasoning and

philosophical debate; and the sixfold science of politics." (S.B. 10.45.34)

 

Certainly not an easy task for someone who just left modern highschool.

 

" O king, those best of persons, Krsna and Balarama, being Themselves the

original promulgators of all varieties of knowledge, could immediately

assimilate each and every subject after hearing it explained just once. Thus

with fixed concentration They learned the sixty-four arts and skills in as

many days and nights. Thereafter, O King, They satisfied Their spiritual

master by offering him guru-daksina." (S.B. 10.45.35-36)

 

When reading about the sixty-four arts and skills and combining them

with the other sciences, obviously the spiritual master the head of the

Gurukula are supposed to be qualified beyond compare, this combined with

the personal choice of the disciple/student seems to be the basic foundation

Gurukula should be build on. Or..?

 

"O King, the learned brahmana Sandipani carefully considered the two Lords`

glorious and amazing qualities and Their superhuman intelligence. Then,

after consulting with his wife, he chose as his remuneration the return of

his young son, who had died in the ocean at Prabhasa." (S.B. 10.45.37.)

 

This very exalted and learned brahmana consulted his wife!

 

 

Y.s. Gunamani d.d.