The Hindu : Miscellaneous / Religion : Path to true learning

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Tuesday, May 10, 2005

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous - Religion

Path to true learning

CHENNAI: The Upanishads contain the fundamentals of Hindu philosophy that deal with the exposition of the origin of the universe, the nature of Brahman, the nature of the Jivatma, the relation between mind and matter and so on. Among the distinguishing features of the Upanishads are their universality and the total absence of any dogmatism. These texts are additionally valuable because apart from the rich and complex content, the manner in which these concepts are revealed is the basis of a well developed system that ensures effectiveness in the teaching/learning context.

One such method is the question-answer pattern, where the gaps in information and interpretation are meant to prod the learner into further inquiry. Sri Mani Dravida Sastrigal said in his discourse that in the Chandogya Upanishad, the chapter on Prajapati Vidya features Prajapati (Brahma) in the role of the preceptor, with Indra and Virochana as disciples. Indra and Virochana are examples of two types of learners. They are individual aspirants with varying grasping abilities. Brahma explains the knowledge of the Self to them through stages. At one stage, Virochana goes away satisfied with the knowledge that the body is the essential Self. Being a wrong assumption, propagation of such knowledge would lead only to harm. Indra on the other hand is not easily satisfied with the explanation, since he brings to his learning a spirit of enquiry. He returns to the preceptor seeking clarification. The definition of the Self as that which is free from sin, old age, death, grief, etc. did not match with what had been taught. In the final stage, with Brahma's guidance, Indra realises that the true nature of the Self is distinct from the body.

The ideal student would rather question his own ability to understand than think the teacher is withholding information. Student-teacher relationship is based on mutual trust and faith. Realising that the Acharya expects the student to go the extra mile to gain knowledge, he would question the pros and cons, and reflect deeply on what is taught. True learning calls for concentration, ability to comprehend and a keen desire to explore the gaps. The pursuit of true knowledge begins with the awareness of one's ignorance and the desire to dispel this ignorance.

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