In the contemporary landscape of education, a pervasive materialistic orientation prevails, casting a shadow of profound restlessness upon humanity. The relentless pursuit of transient, perishable pleasures fails to provide the sought-after serenity. Human beings, by their very nature, are children of Eternity, capable of unlocking innate bliss through the grace of Immortality. The Upanishadic verse, “Ye naham namritasyam kimaham tena kuryam,” serves as a guiding star, underscoring the futility of investing in endeavors that do not promise immortality.
The venerable ‘Dadaji’ Amiya Roy Chowdhury posed an essential question: What is the ultimate aim of education? True education, he believed, is intended to stimulate introspection—Who am I? Why have I assumed this mortal coil? Which path should I tread, and what responsibilities define my existence? The current age is ensnared in a web of attachments to ephemeral, worldly gratifications, forged by the shackles of age-old superstitions. Genuine education liberates individuals from the bondage of such unfounded beliefs.
Life traverses a terrain adorned with both virtue and vice, but transcending them is an entity steeped in truth and beauty. This universal and timeless essence far exceeds the constraints of temporal and spatial limitations. Dadaji’s wisdom imparts that the very purpose of human existence is to savor the nectar of this profound truth. Our sole duty lies in unreservedly opening ourselves to this eternal verity.
American philosopher William James, in a cautionary tone, implores scientists that unless they can offer a viable substitute for the belief in God, faith in the divine should be preserved. Such faith has endowed the human psyche with invaluable treasures, safeguarded from deprivation. In every religious tradition, God embodies truth, while we persist in sating the body’s desires while neglecting the spirit’s hunger.
Regrettably, modern educational institutions neglect to nurture the spiritual yearning in students, instead fostering a culture of material acquisition. This disharmony between the material and the spiritual realms has plunged our world into confusion and disarray. The search for the Self emerges as the resounding call of our times. It is imperative that this becomes the foremost objective of all educational establishments. Education, in its truest form, aims to instill a sense of cooperation, love, and brotherhood, bridging the discord that pervades contemporary society.
Genuine education empowers individuals to extend themselves to others, thereby uncovering the source of supreme bliss. The wise individual who senses the pulsations of all living beings within themselves remains unburdened by frustration or disillusionment. Theirs is a transcendental joy, for they comprehend that God is one, humanity is one, and everything is rooted in a single, profound truth. The ultimate goal of all intellectual pursuits is the realization of this truth, a sentiment ardently championed by Dadaji.
In the eyes of Dadaji, education bereft of a spiritual aim remains incomplete. The hallmark of an impeccable education is the creation of the ideal human. The very definition of this ideal encompasses love and non-violence. A clarion call resounds from him, exhorting us to awaken universal brotherhood through the vessels of love, truth, and non-violence. For humankind is a singular entity, and God resides within each individual from birth.
Dadaji’s teaching affirms that mortal beings cannot serve as true spiritual guides, as each body serves as the sacred vessel for the divine presence of Govinda, the Lord.
