Gurukul, literally translated to the Guru’s home or becoming part of the guru’s family, was the original Indian education system of Sanatana Hindu Dharma. In ancient times students lived with enlightened masters from a young age, learning the 64 vidyas or types of knowledge.

As described in the Taittiriya Upaniṣad:

auṁ saha naavavatu | saha nau bhunaktu | saha viryam karvavahai |

tejasvi naavadhitamastu maa vidvishaavahai || auṁ shantiḥ shantiḥ ||

AUM. May we both (the Guru and the disciple), together be protected. May we both be nourished and enriched with knowledge. May we both work with great strength, energy and enthusiasm. May our study and learning illumine us both with the sharp, absolute light of higher intelligence. May we both not have enmity or incompletion with each other. AUM. Let there be Peace (in my inner space). Peace (in nature). Peace (in the divine forces).

~ Krishna Yajurveda, Taittiriya Upaniṣad 2.2.2

Unlike current didactic teaching systems, knowledge was transmitted through the very bio-memory of the master. Children emerged as spiritually anchored geniuses who radiated siddhis (mystical powers), were high-achievers and world leaders. In an effort to revive this lost educational system, living incarnation Paramahamsa Nithyananda has spearheaded, developed and instituted Nithyananda Gurukul not only in India but around the world.

“Our first priority is to create Vedic Education Institutions. We need Universities creating Vedic Scholars. I will create huge universities teaching Vedic philosophies, creating Doctorates in different branches of Vedic philosophies for those who have the passion for Hinduism. There will be online Vedic courses for distance education.”

– Paramahamsa Nithyananda

The Background

Gurukuls are not teacher-centric but rather education-centric. They are conceived to allow students to develop, discover and invent autonomously. Students are also given the freedom to explore their highest creativity. The Guru is the Divine guide and he supports their explorations; he is the light in the dark and the hand that raises them if they fall.

The Training

In addition to standard academics, students learn through training of Nithya Yoga, mallakhamba (pole yoga), rope yoga, dhanur vidya (archery), dhyana (meditation), akhada (traditional gym),veda parayana (vedic chanting), natya-nataka-sangeeta-shilpa- chitrakala (all forms of traditional performing arts and fine arts), vakyartha sadas (spiritual discussions for life solutions), puja vidhi (worship and rituals) and lifestyle as per the Agama Shastra.

The Outcome

Gurukul encourages whole-brain learning, a stress-free environment, it has zero teen violence and aggression. The system currently boasts the following accomplishments: 50% of children are at 1 to 3 years ahead of their grades, giving their Class X Board Exams before 15 years while 35% of children have IQ scores above 130 – categorized as a ‘gifted’ category as per SLOSSON IQ score.

Gurukul students participate in spiritual practices in addition to their rigorous academics. The children organize and conduct their own sacred temple rituals around the year – puja, abhishekam, homa, and alankaar. They are fluent in complex Vedic Sanskrit chanting such as Agamas, Upanishads, Rudram, Guru homa, Sri Vidya Homa, Guru puja and can read and write in this ancient language of enlightenment. They are taught to live and breathe by the core spiritual truth of Paramahamsa Nithyananda: Integrity, Authenticity, Responsibility, Enriching, Completion, and Shravana (authentic listening).

The Leisurely Activities

In their leisure time, the children use their creativity and intelligence to explore various, traditional Indian art forms such as dance, music, theater, painting, sculpture, jewelry making, and flower garlands. Thirty percent of the children spontaneously play musical instruments without formal lessons. In fact, they continuously teach themselves, updating their skills by tuning into the Cosmos.

Additionally, all the children produce creative temple arts like deity making, alankar (deity decoration), planning and building children’s temples, making deity jewelry and art.

The Mystical Powers

The students enjoy other powers including Quantum memory activation to recall verbatim after a single listening (called ekashantagrahi in the Vedic age). Awakening yogic powers such as communing with and commanding nature to cause rain and rose plants to drop their thorns. All children are initiated into Third Eye Awakening, showing high intelligence, intuition, blindfolded reading, X-ray vision, and clairvoyance. Children have taken the responsibility to nurture various animals such as fishes, turtles, rabbits, pigeons and lovebirds including food and shelter (they created a large natural ecosystem with a cave, rock hill, pond, etc.). Children also learn about the sacredness of cows in the Goshala, a special loving home designed for bovines.

The Spread

Gurukuls have been established in Bidadi, Tiruvannamalai and Chennai. These institutions currently serve 250 children. Thousands of more children are taught through Nithyananda Weekend Gurukuls worldwide. Third Eye Awakening at gurukul has resulted in many children and adults, expressing powers deemed superhuman. Powers included high creativity, significantly faster learning of new subjects, and amazing intuition.

Students have seen health improvements with stronger immunological responses. Additionally, the ability to see and read without the need for two physical eyes. Since new dimensions of the brain are awakened, the possibilities for human health and growth are enormous. For example: helping the visually challenged to see using the third eye. Another example includes, scanning the human bodies via the third-eye to diagnose patients without x-rays or invasive techniques.

The Goal

The gurukul system has a goal to take the light of authentic Vedic education to every child on the planet. At its core, it is a fusion of spiritual sciences and higher order thinking that will educate students on life skills. Gurukul creates a truth-based foundation for life – by design it awakens higher intelligence and gives powerful tools for creating geniuses and future leaders.