Concept of gurukul
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The gurukul is a traditional Indian education system where students live with and learn from their teacher, or guru, in a residential setting. The word “gurukul” literally means “home of the guru”. The system is based on the belief that the guru is the source of knowledge, and students are expected to treat them with respect and reverence.
In a gurukul, students might study subjects such as Vedic literature, Sanskrit, mathematics, and other traditional Indian sciences. They would memorize lessons taught orally, and help their guru with tasks like cleaning, drawing water, gathering wood, and working in the fields. Students would also lead simple and disciplined lives.
After completing their education, students might pay their guru dakshina, or a gift, according to their means. In ancient gurukuls, there was no formal payment involved, and students would use the knowledge they gained in their practical lives.
It was a residential schooling system whose origin dates back to around 5000 BC in the Indian subcontinent. It was more prevalent during the Vedic age where students were taught various subjects and about how to live a cultured and disciplined life. Gurukul was actually the home of teacher or Acharya and was the centre of learning where pupils resided till their education got complete. All were considered equal at the Gurukul and guru (teacher) as well as shisya (student) resided in the same house or lived near to each other. This relationship between guru and shishya was so sacred that no fee was taken from the students. However, the student had to offer a gurudakshina which was a token of respect paid to the teacher. It was mainly in the form of money or a special task that the student had to perform for the teacher.
The importance of the Gurukul system in present times
The main focus of Gurukuls was on imparting learning to the students in a natural surrounding where the shisyas lived with each other with brotherhood, humanity, love, and discipline. The essential teachings were in subjects like language, science, mathematics through group discussions, self-learning etc. Not only this, but the focus was also given on arts, sports, crafts, singing that developed their intelligence and critical thinking. Activities such as yoga, meditation, mantra chanting etc generated positivity and peace of mind and made them fit.