Rediscovering the True Essence of Education
In an age where the concept of education is increasingly reduced to grades, degrees, and job placements, it is crucial to revisit its original purpose. Education is not confined to classrooms or restricted to academic milestones—it is, in truth, a lifelong journey. As Sir Ramakrishna once noted, real education is an ongoing pursuit of truth, knowledge, wisdom, and faith. A genuine student never stops learning; they continuously absorb life lessons and build upon their character through the experiences they encounter.
True character cannot
be taught merely through textbooks or lectures. It is shaped through
observation and interaction. Students are greatly influenced by the character
and conduct of their teachers. Therefore, educators must embody the virtues
they wish to instill. Their integrity, humility, and compassion serve as silent
lessons that resonate deeper than any curriculum.
Many of the issues within today’s educational system can be traced back to its narrow objectives. As Swami Vijnananda aptly stated, the obsession with examinations and employment has led both students and teachers astray from the broader vision of education. While academic assessments and career pursuits are important, they must not become the sole focus. Education should cultivate critical thinking, creativity, and moral values alongside professional skills.
Swami Vivekananda
eloquently described education as “life-building, assimilation of ideas.” This
view highlights the transformative nature of education—it is not just about
information retention but about shaping a strong, purposeful, and enlightened
life. It should prepare individuals to face challenges with courage and to live
with compassion and resilience.
Education must also
inspire a sense of responsibility. It should ignite in students a will to serve
their nation, uplift the underprivileged, and stand for truth and justice.
These values are essential to nurture a society that is just, equitable, and united.
A well-educated person is not only knowledgeable but also empathetic and
action-driven.
Swami Vijnananda’s
counsel to the youth is particularly relevant in the modern context. He urged
them to reject anything that weakens their body or mind—whether it be toxic
literature, bad company, or degrading entertainment. Strength, clarity, and
discernment are essential qualities for those who seek to lead meaningful
lives.
Ultimately, the power
to choose one’s path lies within each individual. No one can make you good or
bad without your consent. You are the architect of your character and destiny.
As Vivekananda emphasized, what the world needs is a "man-making"
education—one that builds strength of body, mind, and soul. It is only through
such holistic development that true education is realized.
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The Two Faces of Divine Love Radha and Rukmini in Krishns Eternal Lila
In the vast canvas of Krishns divine play, love reveals itself not to confuse us, but to awaken the deeper layers of our soul. Among the most cherished and mystifying bonds in Indian lore is Krishns relationship with Radha—a love that has eclipsed even his royal marriage with Rukmini in the hearts of devotees. It is not Rukmini Krishn but Radha Krishn that lives in temples, poetry, and the innermost longings of seekers.
Radha and Rukmini are
not rivals; they are reflections of the same Divine essence. Together, they
depict two modes of love the worldly and the transcendental, the serene and the
ecstatic. Their stories are not a contrast but a complement—each one a sacred
thread in the tapestry of devotion. They represent the dual path of the
seeker—one rooted in discipline, the other in surrender.
Rukmini, the queen of
Dwaraka, is the embodiment of order, grace, and sacred duty. She represents
maryada, love that flourishes within dharmic boundaries. As an incarnation of
Lakshmi, she signifies balance, purpose, and divine harmony. Her presence grounds
Krishn in the world, making their union a symbol of stability and righteous
action—Apara Shakti, the manifested power that sustains life.
In contrast, Radha is the heartbeat of Vrindavan—Krishns Hladini Shakti, the embodiment of joy and divine ecstasy. Her love is raw, overwhelming, and boundaryless. It defies societal norms and flows straight from the soul. She is not a partner but a mirror of the souls eternal yearning for the Infinite—Para Shakti, the unmanifested essence of pure devotion. Through her, love becomes a path, a fire, and a liberation.
To the ordinary eye,
the tale of Radha and Krishn may appear as a romantic episode—full of longing
glances and moonlit meetings. But to the spiritual seeker, it unveils a
profound truth that divine love is not about possession but about union. It is
this selfless, consuming devotion that inspired saints like Meerabai, whose
love for Krishn echoed Radhas own—fierce, free, and unshackled by this world.
Rukminis love is the
sanctum—the sacred structure that shelters divine order. Radhas love is the
flame—wild, luminous, and consuming. One walks the path with restraint; the
other dances through it in rapture. Yet both are essential to understanding
Krishn. As Sri Aurobindo described, Radha symbolizes the souls psychic flame
rising toward the Divine. In this sacred vision, Radha and Krishn are not just
lovers—they are the seeker and the sought, the soul and the Supreme.
Some traditions even
liken Radha Krishn to Shakti and Shiv—dual aspects of one divine reality.
Rukmini reflects Krishns dharmic role, his presence in societal life. Radha
reveals his secret joy, his hidden music. Each is a movement of the same
eternal truth, showing us that love has many dimensions, each holding its own
sacred beauty.
To know Krishn in his
fullness, one must embrace both these aspects. He is the playful cowherd of
Vrindavan and the wise king of Dwaraka. He is Radhas ecstatic beloved and
Rukminis devoted consort. His lila is not just a story—it is a mirror that
teaches us not only how to love but how to become love in all its
forms—anchored, ecstatic, complete.
IF HE EXIST
I drive joy there was a doctor in Benaras who
spent 7 minutes in the morning and evening for mediation on God. Knowing this,
his colleagues and friends laughed at him. One day they argued that he was
wasting 7 precious minutes on something, which he had been misled into
believing. The doctor replied, “Well, if God does not exist, I agree that I am
wasting 7 minutes a day. But, if He exists? I am afraid you are wasting your
entire lifetime. I prefer to waste 7 minutes rather than a lifetime. Why should
you grudge me the 7minutes joy that I derive 4m.-
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