Gurukul

The traditional method of education was a unique one where the disciple would abandon his abode and returned only when the entire knowledge gaining procedure was completed. Until the completion of this procedure he would stay under the guidance of his chosen guru. Ayurveda being an ancient science, was formerly learnt in this very manner. This system made sure that the disciple should get the utmost knowledge from his guru and so could withstand the society with his unbeaten knowledge.

The modern educational system for Ayurveda is a mere comparison between modern medicine and ayurvedic medicine. The distribution of ayurvedic concepts according to modern subjects does not go hand in hand as there is a vast difference in its basic structure. This method is unsuitable for deep and thorough samhita understanding.

The ideal method for studying this science is intermittent reading of the basic compendia, memorizing the Sutras and contemplation – that is, generating a thought process regarding every individual concept mentioned in the scripture. VVMVK Ayurveda Pratishthana has therefore taken a successful step towards the inculcation of this method – Shri Madhavacharya Gurukul.

This initiative was started back in 2009 and is well executed upto this date. Under this activity Ashtang Hrudaya Samhita is preached by eminent practitioners and academicians of Ayurveda fraternity. It is mainly held in the academic vacations of students and groups are made according to the academic years.

Prathama (first year) – 18 days- Sutra & Sharirsthana,

Dwitiya (second year) – 24 days – Nidan & Chikitsasthana,

Trutiya (third year) – 36 days – entire Ashtang Hrudaya.

Gurukul activity is a residential camp which involves a disciplined routine for the above mentioned days. It includes daily exercise, pathantar of shlokas, samhita-adhyaya from the grantha along with its commentary and also informal sessions and discussions with the teaching faculty allotted. The schedule also includes anadhyaya days in which aushadhikarana, vanaspati darshana and other facets of Ayurveda are taught to the students.

Benefits-

• Profound knowledge-
  The samhita is taught in its basic form along with its best probable meaning. This helps in inculcation of deep and unfathomed knowledge of science.

• Application–
  Every single sutra of the samhitas possess its unique practical application, but students remain ignorant to these applications. Gurukul initiative helps in generating a practical thought process among the students, as the eminent practitioner share their valuable experiences with the students.

• Confidence booster–
  The Ayurveda students lack confidence due to the subordinate social treatment to the science. The practical experiments of vaidyas, their way of handling the patients helps the students to regain confidence in their own science.

• Bridges academia-vaidya gap–
  Due to this initiative all the Ayurveda stalwarts come together and preach students, they share their valuable experiences, so they become more approachable to the students.

The main emphasis of this initiative is extensive and deep granthaabhyas inculcating its practical approach and developing a student towards tackling day to day challenges so that he stands firmly as a successful ayurvedic practitioner.