Educational Sociology of the Vedas

Educational Sociology of the Vedas

Being citizens of a free nation, students should be made aware of the fact that we shall have to solve national problems and reshape the destiny of India according to our national ideas, ideals and needs. Mere freedom from the shackles of foreign rule is not enough. The process of education should stimulate students to get firmly convinced that indigenous problems can never be solved with imported ideologies, especially for a nation which has its own enriched and highly evolved cultural and spiritual heritage. The Vedas urge us to endeavor for self-rule: 

‘May we endeavor for self-rule.’
Rig Veda, 5.66.6.

Student need to develop a sense of national loyalty and responsibility. This sense of national loyalty can be cultivated by following the Vedic attitude towards one’s motherland: 

‘Earth is my mother, I am a son of the soil.’
Atharva Veda, 12.1.12

The Vedas remind us that our sense of national responsibility should instill in us an urge to serve our motherland and to be willing to sacrifice all for her security and welfare.

‘Serve thy motherland.’
Rig Veda, 10.18.10.

‘(O Motherland,) may we sacrifice all for thee.’
Atharva Veda, 12.1.62

Student must be educated to recognize unity in diversity, for that is a distinctive feature of our motherland which has enabled her to remain integrated in terms of the social, cultural and spiritual aspects of evolution, centuries, ultimately to get metamorphosed into a symphony of diverse traditions. Even the Vedas echo this ennobling aspect of our motherland:

‘May the Earth, which has many heights, slopes and plains, bearing on her bosom herbs that possess healing powers, bind together scattered men of diverse natures’ (12.1.2).

Recognizing unity in diversity, the Vedas advise all to live in peaceful coexistence.

‘You may live and let me also live’ (19.69.1)

Students should be made aware of the fact that the basic hindrance in the path of national progress is people’s excessive stress on individual freedom and also on the rights resulting from it, without caring to stress the importance of social responsibility and the duties ensuing there from. If the students realized their responsibility to their nation, they would work more efficiently and with greater dedication, thereby promoting the development of their own nation. Rights and duties should go hand in hand, like the shield and sword of the Vedic Maruts:

‘They [the Maruts] wielded the shield and sword in their hands.’
Rig Veda, 1.168.3.

True education should aim at imparting a humanistic attitude and the spirit of service. The Vedas censure the self-centred man whose accomplishments are aimed exclusively at selfish end:

‘The small-hearted man procures food in vain. I speak the truth-this verily is his death. He cherishes neither god nor friend; he who eats alone, eats sin alone’ (10.117.6).

In truth, the Vedas inspire one to be charitable. The sole purpose of earning should be to spend money on charitable acts.

‘Earn with a hundred hand and distribute with a thousand.’
Atharva Veda, 3.24.5.

‘Blessed are the hands that support the destitute.’
Rig Veda, 6.18.14.

Education should enable an individual to transcend his individuality in conscious social participation.

‘May not brother despise brother.’
Atharva Veda, 3.30.3

Instead of being jealous of each other, clashing with each other and pulling each other down, true education should enable a person to develop the capacity to cooperate, to live and work as a team. The Vedas urge upon men to assemble on a common platform, to think together, and to work together for achieving a common goal.

‘March together; let your words be united; let your minds be united; accept your share of fortune just as the gods, concurring, accepted their portion of the sacrifice in ancient times. May your prayers be common; common be your fraternity; may your minds move with one accord; may your hearts work in harmony for one goal; may you be inspired by a common ideal; I offer for you a common oblation. May you resolve with one accord, may your hearts beat in unison; may your thoughts be harmonious, so that you may live together in happiness.’
Rig Veda, 10.191.2-4.

In a democracy, it is the responsibility of the citizens to elect their representatives, who on behalf of the people will look after security and welfare of the nation. Hence education has a vital role to play in a democracy. The general masses should be sufficiently educated to be aware of the responsibilities of their representatives in the process of running the administration of the nation. The mantras of the Purushamedha and Vajapeya Yagas mention the responsibilities of a ruler and suggest that the ruler is invested with power for the welfare of the people:

‘The ruler is for protection.’
Yajur Veda, 30.5.

‘For growth of agriculture, for protection of property, for progress and prosperity, for support and sustenance (are you appointed as our ruler)’(9.22).

Freedom is our birthright. Education should make one aware of the various forms of exploitation, so that one can fight for liberty and for the right to live with dignity. It is natural that social life will have various gradations depending on the diversity of people’s cultural background, economic status, learning, profession and accomplishments. But that does not imply that a certain section of society should have the privilege to exploit other sections. Society should ensure liberty to each and every person to lead a life free from all sorts of exploitation, as has been voiced in the Vedas:

‘May we live a hundred years without being slaves to others’ (36.24).

Education alone is the panacea for all social evils. Hence the Vedas call upon the scholars to aryanize the whole world. Arya means refined, cultured and civilized, and to aryanize means to ennoble. Peace and prosperity will prevail on earth when most of the people are aryanized. The Vedas ordain:

‘Making all our acts noble.’
Rig Veda, 9.63.5.

‘You gods have degraded us; you must raise us up again’ (10.137.1)

The Vedas adore the enlightened persons who dedicate their lives for leading others towards progress by annihilating the darkness of superstition, ignorance, illiteracy and narrow outlook prevailing among the common masses:

‘They are worthy sons of the soil who imparts everlasting light for the goods of human life.’
Yajur Veda, 3.33.

.3.
20. Rig Veda, 5.66.6.
21. Atharva Veda, 12.1.12
22. Rig Veda, 10.18.10.
23. Atharva Veda, 12.1.62
24. Rig Veda, 1.168.3.
25. Atharva Veda, 3.24.5.
26. Rig Veda, 6.18.14.
27. Atharva Veda, 3.30.3
28. Rig Veda, 10.191.2-4.
29. Yajur Veda, 30.5.
30. Rig Veda, 9.63.5.
31. Yajur Veda, 3.33.