Tracing back the roots to our rich history

The word ‘Veda’ means Knowledge in its truest and literal sense. Vedic scriptures for millennia have been a source of perfect knowledge and a means of attaining enlightenment for all of humanity. Sprouting from the soils of ancient India, the Vedas are a matter of pride to every Indian. The wisdom it imparts has been benefiting generations after generations for people not just in India but around the world.

Vedas and other Indian scriptures talk about real-world matters such as finance, occupation, warfare, human values, social conduct, and management. Vedas also assess and provide timeless solutions to these matters.

Vedic scriptures are also rich in scientific knowledge, especially in astronomy, physics, mathematics, medicine, biology, algebra and Biochemistry.

Books such as the Surya Siddhanta and Charaka Samhita enlighten us about astronomy and human biology.

William James, an American philosopher rightly said that “From the Vedic scriptures we learn the practical art of surgery, medicine, music and house building under which mechanised art is included”.

He also said that they are the encyclopedias of life, culture, religion, science, ethics, law, cosmology and meteorology.

Max Mueller, Mahatma Gandhi and many other stalwarts have recognized the golden potential of Vedas in our daily lives.

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Understanding Vedic scriptures

People have a common misconception that understanding the Vedic scriptures and applying values they teach in an educational institution is “Promoting Hinduism” thereby, secularism isn’t upheld.

It must be noted that the word “Hinduism” was coined by the British during the Imperial rule to classify, distinguish and create a division between the people who followed Islam and the people who followed the Vedic Religion. Hinduism is known as Sanathana Dharma which translates to “A founder-less religion”.

We understand from this translation that Vedic culture was a way of life rather than a religion. Many principles and statements given in the Vedic scriptures coincide vastly with scriptures of other religions as well. This only promotes unity and enhances secularism rather than go against it.

It brings about a sense of patriotism because Vedas belong to all Indians irrespective of religion or social construct. It is a timeless set of values and solutions to matters we face even today. Making students understand this and realizing the value of the roots of our entire civilization that is upheld even in countries abroad is a matter of pride and an integral part of education.

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Importance of Vedic scriptures in an education system.

Vedic courses are in demand at reputed foreign universities such as Harvard and Oxford.

These countries are mostly of people who follow Christianity but yet, they have realized that including Vedic culture and Sanskrit scriptures as a part of their education has almost nothing to do with religion and secularism. As Indians, it is only a matter of pride and love of our culture that we must embrace the roots of our education more dearly than anyone else.

The Vedic scriptures and Sanskrit are like a vast tree of knowledge. Anyone can make use of the diverse knowledge, wisdom and values it has to offer.

To conclude, from the mouth of the Vedas themselves, ‘Jagadeka Kutumbakam’. The world is one big family and understanding this as part of our education can bring us closer than ever.

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