Understanding True Education in Kṛṣṇa Consciousness
Real education, as taught by Śrīla Prabhupāda, transcends material knowledge and technical skills. It is the cultivation of character, spiritual intelligence, and Kṛṣṇa consciousness. The purpose of true education is to understand the soul, control the mind and senses, and prepare for life beyond the material body.
Self-Realization as the Goal of Education
Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that education should guide individuals to understand the self, the soul, and its eternal relationship with Kṛṣṇa. Without this awareness, learning remains incomplete and does not fulfill the true purpose of human life.
- A dog cannot be educated to understand God but a man can be. So if this human life is misused in the matter of animal propensities then it is a great loss. His (Human's) propensities for understanding God should be aroused that is real education.
- Above the senses is the mind, and above the mind is the intelligence, and above the intelligence is the soul. Thus the aim of real education should be self-realization, realization of the spiritual values of the soul.
Education Beyond Material Knowledge
Technical education, academic degrees, or worldly learning do not address the ultimate purpose of life. Real education teaches the spiritual dimension and the understanding of God, which is essential for meaningful human existence.
- Electrician comes - suppose the power has failed, and he manipulates and brings the power - that is technical education. But real education is different. That is to understand the atma-tattvam.
- If our education is meant for simply eating, sleeping, mating and defending, then what is the difference? That is not education. Real education is to understand what you are. That is real education. Atma-jnana.
Cultivating Character and Kṛṣṇa Consciousness
Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that real education involves practicing self-control, truthfulness, and devotional life. By engaging in regulative principles and spiritual practices, students learn to apply knowledge in a way that benefits themselves and society.
- Real education means that he is self-controlled - controlling the mind, controlling the senses, truthful. He will speak truth in any circumstances. Even to his enemy he will speak the truth.
- Real education this: just like you are doing, all rising early in the morning, mangala-aratrika, kirtana, and then these regulative principles, this is real education. It does not require any academic education. It is simply practice.
Guidance from Scriptures and Gurus
Education is effective when guided by a competent guru and anchored in scriptural knowledge. Hearing and understanding from authorities ensures the transmission of real wisdom beyond mere book learning.
- They are not educated themselves, but their education is by hearing from the authority. Iti susruma. This is real education. Therefore Vedas another name is sruti. Sruti means the knowledge which you receive by hearing.
- This is my mission, to educate people to understand himself. They are under this misconception that, Every one of us, we are this body. That is misconception. You must know who is within the body. That is real education.
Conclusion
Real education is the cultivation of character, Kṛṣṇa consciousness, and spiritual intelligence. It empowers individuals to transcend material existence, understand the soul, and live a life aligned with divine principles. Śrīla Prabhupāda’s teachings guide us to apply education for true happiness and spiritual advancement.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Real Education. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.