L K Agarwal
The receptive capacity of child between the age 0 to 6 yrs is great. In these formative years, the foundation of education is laid down. In these initial years, children are extremely receptive to the nature and the surrounding in which they grow. To enhance the receptivity, the method of education should be thoroughly psychological.
To enhance the psychological faculty, extra emphasis should be given to moral education.
Pictorial stories of social reformers, leaders, patriots, scientists, spiritual leaders, etc should be told to the child. Visit to zoo, gardens, sea beaches, rivers, ponds and lakes, etc should be on regular basis. Hundreds of question will arise in the child mind which will be quenched through proper knowledge. This psychological introspection will have a lasting imprint on the infantile mind. When moral is the basis of child growth, qualities like strong character, righteousness, sprit of social service, selflessness, an inspirational personality and leadership ability will develop in a natural way.
Parents should make the child feel that they are important members of the family. Their genuine demand should be properly looked after. They should acquaint their child to such an environment where they get ample scope of their physical, mental and spiritual development.
In fact, parents, teachers, schools and all associated with the child has a single point program- Academic advancement, without understanding that this is just the by- product if the foundation of education is built up in a systematic and methodical way as mentioned above. philosophy of life dictates how to set the goal of life, the principles you value and live. In accordance with your philosophy you choose the right association of people and finally adjust with environmental conditions to reach your goal successfully.
So we find here that the philosophy of life plays a vital role in deciding the successful journey of educational process and the life’s journey as well. If the mind is set for greater achievement, all other achievements in the metaphysical world becomes very Small and easily achieved.
It is said in Vishnupuran:-
सा विद्या या विमुक्तये।
Sa Vidya Ya Vimuktaye.
Knowledge is that which paves the way for freedom from all bondages. Whatever is taught in schools or universities is a very small form of knowledge. Secular education is helpful in maintaining life, material comfort, personal and social harmony. In achieving the goal of complete education, the role of physical education is essential only as a supporting one.
Academics will have to be assured that this verse of Vishnupuran will somehow pave the way for liberation. The essence of this statement lies in this verse of Rigveda:-
आत्मनो मोक्षार्थं जगद्धिताय च
The only goal of human life is to attain salvation. Education which paves the way for salvation is complete education. Other dimensions of education should be available to the body, mind and brain which are necessary in the form of physical material so that man can progress at an uninterrupted pace towards that ultimate goal.
The fact of salvation lies in the feeling of welfare of the world. When a person loves nature, all the animals, birds, trees, plants, stones, mountains, rivers, waterfalls, etc., then he suddenly starts loving the five elements (solid, liquid, fire, areal, ether), due to which he himself has also been created. When the feeling of love becomes excessive, it starts transforming into devotion.
As devotion progresses, the natural bonds begin to loosen. When nature completely frees man from bondage, man attains salvation. This is the salvation of man, the pinnacle of education.
