This document provides an overview of the Varnasrama education system based on teachings from the Vedic texts. It describes how education is tailored based on a student's natural aptitudes and vocational interests. Students may receive either formal education in a Gurukula focusing on religious texts or non-formal apprenticeship training. Education is also phased according to one's stage of life, known as Asramas. The goal is to spiritually elevate students and guide them towards perfection through a lifelong learning process focused on service, inquiry and surrender.

2. Varnasrama Education-II
Author : Prafullakumar Seelam
E-mail : prafulla123@gmail.com
Date Produced : 2017
Serial No : 29 of 54

3. Varnasrama Education
The following presentation is
prepared based
on Chapter 7 from the book
Varnasrama Education
Written by
His Holiness RP Bhakti
Raghava Swami maharaja

4. What is Varnasrama Education?
Varnasrama Education is the combined social and
educational system based on the Vedic teachings which
lead individual and society at large towards the
perfection of life, i.e. individual and social emancipation.
The system of varnasrama is best realized within an agrarian based
economy where life remains simple and time can be set-aside for
spiritual practice(sadhana).
Traditional village life was valued and still remains ideal in all
respects, including the material aspects.

5. Education through Varnas (Aptitude Based Education)
• The four Varnas or four social occupations afford a different type of
education for each individual
• Varnasrama education is best described as “aptitude based learning”
which leads to “aptitude based occupation”
o At an early age, a young boy will be examined and tested to determine what
are his natural aptitudes, inclinations and personal desires
o This process will entail administering some practical psychological test,
studying the horoscope, observing aptitudes and inclinations and his hereditary
background
o Upon determining the natural disposition of the student the authorities in
question will direct the young person to take up a certain type of study

6. Brahmana and Kshatriya Education
• This type of education corresponds more to the “liberal arts” or
“humanities” education and the curriculum will center exclusively on the
Vedic texts
• The Brahminical training prepares one to be a teacher while the type of
education for Kshatriya prepares one to become an administrator
within society
• Each Gurukula will vary in academic status and performance according
to the level of realization and knowledge of the local teacher
• Also, How the knowledge is imparted largerly depends on the Guru
• This type of education is more intense and requires strict discipline
basis of which is celibacy and is reserved only for Boys and there is no
question of mixed or co-education

7. Vaisya and Sudra Education
• Vaisya and Sudra training and education are done through
apprenticeship and vocational training
• Similar to the Brahmana and Kshatriya training, such a student may
also live with his preceptor who will teach him some particular trade or
skill
• The duration of time will vary according to the aptitude of the learner
student

8. Education for Boys
• Formal education at Gurukula is reserved for boys who qualify
• The decision to attend such a Gurukula depends largely on the interest
and inclination of the student as well as the disposition and
assessment of the teacher
• Asrama education is very personalized and individualized
• The young Brahmacari student will spend approximately twelve year
pursuing his studies
• Those who are not inclined or qualified for formal education receive
non-formal education through apprenticeship and vocational training

9. Education for Girls
• There are 64 specific aesthetic arts and sciences which have been
described for women ( Refer Brahma Samhita 5.37 for the details)
• The Vedic literatures prescribe these as the natural and complete
education for girls
• Kshatriya girls were given education in the 14 books of knowledge- 4
Vedas, 6 Vedangas and 4 Upangas and 64 arts at palaces where
panditas come to teach them
• The Vedic system does not support women taking up roles within the
designated Varnas – Women are not meant to be empowered but
rather meant to be protected
• Restraint and segregation between boys and girls before and even
during marriage is a fundamental principle of the Vedic civilization

10. Varnasrama education Model
Aptitude
Based
Learning
Sudra Vaisya Kshatriya Brahmana
Type Non - formal Formal
Through
Apprenticeship & Vocational
Training
Gurukula – Lower level Age 5 -13;
Varnasrama College – Higher
level Age 13-20
Phased Lifelong
Learning
Mostly all accept Grihasta asrama
Brahmacari,
Grihasta,
Vanaprastha
Brahmacari,
Grihasta,
Vanaprastha,
Sannyasa

11. Education through the Asramas
(Phased Lifelong Education)
• Each of the Asramas or Spiritual divisions, provide specific and on-
going education and training for the practitioner
• Asrama training should be understood as “Phased Lifelong Education”
– the purpose of which is to gradually elevate one to higher levels of
consciousness and detachment from material life
• The 3 important learning features which are to be practiced in all the
asramas are that of surrender (pranipat), inquiry (prasna) and service
(seva) in that particular order as explained in detail in Bhagavd-gita
4.34 – this will make the learning process very conducive and
productive

12. Four Asramas
1. Brahmacari Asrama – Celibate Student Life
2. Grihastha Asrama – Regulated Householder Life
3. Vanaprastha Asrama – Retired Life
4. Sannyasa Asrama – Renounced Life

13. Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare

15. ABOUT THE AUTHOR
• Name Prafullakumar Seelam
• Age and Gender 30, Male
• Country/Province of Origin India
• Educational Degree and Year Bachelor of engineering, 2009
• Educational Institution Manipal University, India
• Professional Work/Experience Data and Analytics professional
• Affiliation with ISKCON Since 2007
• Present Service in ISKCON Services under Om Sri Surabhi Campaign

16. • ISKCON Daiva Varnasrama Ministry
Promoting Rural Development in India
www.iskconvarnasrama.com
• OM Sri Surabhi Campaign
www.srisurabhi.org