Giving Education to Solve the Problems of Life

Modern educational systems focus primarily on "technical education" intended for earning a livelihood and satisfying the senses. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the real purpose of human life is to realize God and understand the nature of the soul. By giving education that addresses our eternal spiritual identity, society can solve the fundamental problems of birth, death, and material suffering, leading to true peace and satisfaction.

Duty of Guardians and Parents

Guardians have a moral and spiritual obligation to ensure their dependents are not left in ignorance. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that if parents do not provide spiritual knowledge, they are failing in their primary duty, as the living entity will remain trapped in the cycle of birth and death without proper guidance.

• A child is born ignorant. If the father, mother, guardians do not give him education, then his life is spoiled.
• It is the duty of a father to educate his son in both religion and morality. If I do not give Him this education, how will He know of it?
• The father's, mother's duty is the same, apavarga-vartmani. Apavarga-vartmani: to give education in such a way that no more pavarga. No more parisrama, no more phena, no more bhaya, no more vyarthata, no more marana. That is called apavarga-vardhanam.

Distinguishing Real Education from Academic Learning

Real education is not merely the accumulation of historical or geographical facts, nor is it training for sense gratification. It is the practical application of spiritual principles that allows a person to control their senses and understand their position beyond the material body.

• Even if one does not read any philosophy, he is sexually inclined. Nobody is taught it in the schools and colleges. Everyone already knows how to do it. That is the general tendency. But education should be given to stop it. That is real education.
• If anyone develops God consciousness, then all the good qualities will develop automatically. And you give him all kinds of education, but if he is godless, it is all useless. - That is compared with decorating the dead body.
• I am already born foolish, and my education is given to make me more foolish.

Brahminical Standard of Teaching

In the Vedic social structure, the brāhmaṇa class is responsible for the intellectual and spiritual health of society. Their specific duty is to give education freely, guiding the other classes toward the Absolute Truth and ensuring that society functions as a complete and harmonious whole.

• The brahmanas' duty is to give education, intelligence, up to the understanding of the Supreme Absolute Truth, Brahman.
• Sudra cannot give you any education. That is not possible. Education has to be taken from brahmana. That is Vedic system. Brahmana is the teacher because they are trained up.
• Anyone can take education as a brahmana or a ksatriya, as a vaisya. There is no... Vaisya doesn't require any education. Ksatriyas require little. Brahmana require. But that is free. Just find out a brahmana guru and he will give you free education.

Providing Solutions through Kṛṣṇa Consciousness

The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement serves as a global university for the soul, filling the gap left by modern secular institutions. By giving education about bhakti-yoga and the transmigration of the soul, this movement provides the scientific tools necessary for humanity to achieve liberation.

• There is no institution, no school, no college, no university where this education is given, that "What I am? Am I this body, or I am something else? No. I am something else." So this education can be given through this Krsna consciousness movement
• It (Krsna consciousness movement) is not a sectarian religious sentimental movement. It is a movement for giving real education, knowledge, to the people all over the world without any discrimination.
• This is very important movement, that we are giving them hint and education how to go back to home, back to Godhead.

Conclusion

True success in education is measured not by financial gain or technical prowess, but by the development of God consciousness and the cessation of material suffering. Śrīla Prabhupāda repeatedly points out that the current world crisis is a result of godless education. By prioritizing the duty of giving education in spiritual science, we can transform the future of the world, providing a standard of knowledge that satisfies the soul and guides every individual toward their eternal home.

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 Giving Education. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.