Essay on “The Teacher” from The Indian National Education by Swami Chidbhavananda

1. Introduction
Swami Chidbhavananda was born onll th
March, 1898 in Senguttaipalayam near Pollachi in
Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu. His parents named him “Chinnu.” He studied in Stanes School,
Coimbatore. He was deeply influenced by Swami Vivekananda and by his ideology andpatriotism.
As per the wish and advice of Swami Sivananda, he returned to Tamil Nadu and established an
Ashram near Ooty. In the early forties (1942), he established Sri Ramakrishna Tapovanam in
Tiruparaithurai, Tiruchi district. Since then, the Tapovanam has established several educational
institutions in Tamil Nadu and propagates the ideals of Ramakrishna and Vivekananda through religious
and social activities such as book publishing. Swami Chidbhavananda has authored more than a hundred
books in Tamil and English. His books address a variety of topics ranging from deep philosophical
enquiry to contemporary social life. He wished to take Indian culture, religion, and tradition to all section
of society. He peacefully passed away on 16' h
November 1985.
Teacher, The Prop ofSociety
The vita part which he plays is the yardstick that measures the achievements and aspirations of the
nation to the service of which he dedicates himself. The worth and potentialities of a country get
evaluated in and through the work of the teacher. The teacher is the real nation builder. Indeed, the people
of a land are the enlarged replica of theirteacher.
People have totally forgotten that education is intended to evolve life into higher orders. The
teacher is the core of education. The best human material in society has to be selected and trained for
teacher-hood. In fact this selection and allotment to the future teaching personnel has to start in the school
itself. While bringing enlightenment to the pupils, the teacher himself has to select from out of them the
few who are likely to be his worthy successors.
Star-like Function
Those who aspire to become teachers should completely abandon thoughts of a life of ease,
publicity and glamour. The teacher is the foundation or basis of the social edifice. The more the teacher
keeps himself aloof from romantic activities the better can he work in his own field. He has to flee from
power-politics as from a contagious disease —CORANA-19.
Plain Living and High Thinking
Ateacher should never think in terms of silver and gold. Asense-bound life does not fit in with his
holy function. It is through his life and not through the text-book that the teacher teaches. Plain living and
higher thinking has ever been the core of our national ideal. Plain living aids self-control. The teacher’s
function in the modern world is to illustrate through his life the virtues of plain living. Contentment is the
hall-mark of plain living. The teacher is like a properly tuned string in a Veena (111). The teacher who has
to be the model man in our society.
The Teacher-Culture
It will be good if at least one in a thousand among the teacher-folk is a person of life-long
continence and an all-renouncing Tyagi. The teacher has elected to be the model man in society. Self-
control is not difficult of achievement to one who has dedicated oneself to serving society inthe
Essay on “The Teacher”
Tom The Indian National Education
by Swami Chidbhavananda
Page 1 of 3

2. Page 2 of 3
intellectual filed. Intense pre-occupation with the good drives away evil from the mind. The ideal teacher
is he who rigidly conforms to an austere code ofconduct.
The Teacher-Couple
As far as possible a school master will do well to choose as his life-partner a woman who intends
to take teaching. If both husband and wife dedicate themselves to the cause of education, their life is bound
to be exemplary. The wife is called Sahadharmini. Life is not different from life’s occupation. What a man
does is hid Dharma . The teacher has his Swadharma. His chosen duty is to spread knowledge.
Master, NoSlave
The British made education one of the chief State responsibilities. It is to their credit that they
opened the portals of education to one and all. In certain places, the teacher was deliberately made
subordinate and insignificant. And he in his turn has helplessly become slavish-minded. Such a teacher
can never train the young into freedom. The affair should be like Jambhawan to Hanuman.
The school of old was a temple of learning, and a character-building sanctuary. If the teacher
changes over to the right pattern, all things will automatically get straightened. If education should
command reverence from everyone, naturally custodians of education should also receive the same
reverence. With dignity and fervor, the teacher has to go on discharging his sacred task . society in turn is
bound to pay him the regard that is his due. It is through reverence to education and educator that society
rises in culture andrefinement.
Teacher-Pupil Relationship
It is contact between man and man that shapes life. Life (teacher does not come in contact with life
(student). Education becomes effective and fruitful only to the extent to which there is personal touch
between the teacher and the taught. While teaching he is a master. Off the classroom, he is a companion.
Teacher’s Character
The teacher should have a sterling character. Among the gifts of life that man can have, right
conduct stands supreme. That virtue leads to all excellence and so it is to be adored more than life, is the
maxim.
The urge to preserving life is common to all beings. But it isgiven to man alone to hold virtue
superior to mere existence. All flower in bloom is loved by all and in this lies its glory. Similarly man may
be viewed as having achieved everything in life when he becomes perfect in character. If the best flowers
among mankind take to teaching, society is abundantly enriched; their fragrance and beauty are then made
the best useof.
Conclusion
Ateacher easily comes in contact with at least a thousand students in his lifetime. If he has in some
measure contributed to their welfare, he has indeed done a lot. It is given to the teacher-world and teacher-
world alone to reform such a vast number in the community. Theirs alone is this rare privilege. Foremost
among them is the task of moulding men. Men and women in hundreds should dedicate themselves to this
sacred task. Their ceaseless labours should reshape India on this vital plane. An awakened India will rise
out of this dedication. Amongall national endeavours, the work of the teacher indeed standssupreme.
Conclusion

3. Page 3 of 3
Swami Chidbhavananda was as hopeful as Swami Vivekananda that the ancient system of life-
training is needed to the modem generation. Through the chapter, “The Student,” Swami
Chidbhavananda defines and classifies the duty, and potentiality of a student.
Prepared by
Dr.S.Bharathiraja
Assistant Professor of English