Swaminarayan Gurukul
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Shree Swaminarayan Gurukul Rajkot Sansthan, commonly known as Rajkot Gurukul or Swaminarayan Gurukul, is a Hindu religious and educational organization headquartered in
Rajkot, Gujarat Rajkot () is the fourth-largest city in the Indian state of Gujarat after Ahmedabad, Vadodara, and Surat, and is in the centre of the Saurashtra (region), Saurashtra region of Gujarat. Rajkot is the 35th-largest metropolitan area in India, w ...
. It was established in 1947 in Rajkot by Shastriji Maharaj Shri Dharmajivandasji Swami. In 1974, Shastriji Maharaj gave the administrative duties of the organization to its current leader, Guruvarya Shri Devkrushnadasji Swami. The organization is within the
Laxmi Narayan Dev Gadi The Laxminarayan Dev Gadi ( Gujarati:- લક્ષ્મીનારાયણ દેવ ગાદી) is one of the two gadis (diocese) that together form the Swaminarayan Sampraday. It is headquartered at the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Vadtal a ...
of the
Swaminarayan Sampraday The Swaminarayan Sampradaya, also known as Swaminarayan Hinduism and Swaminarayan movement, is a Hindu Vaishnava sampradaya rooted in Ramanuja's Vishishtadvaita, characterized by the Bhakti, worship of its Charismatic authority, charismati ...
. The goal of the organization is to spread ''Sadvidya'' (true education) that was championed by
Bhagwan Swaminarayan Swaminarayan ( IAST: ', 3 April 1781 – 1 June 1830), also known as Sahajanand Swami, was a yogi and ascetic, who is believed by followers to be a manifestation of God Krishna, or as the highest manifestation of Purushottam, and aro ...
. The organization aims to imbibe the essence of
India India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...
n
cultural heritage Cultural heritage is the heritage of tangible and intangible heritage assets of a group or society that is inherited from past generations. Not all heritages of past generations are "heritage"; rather, heritage is a product of selection by soci ...
through branches around the world. Its major branches in
India India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...
include Rajkot, Junagadh, Surat, Poicha (Nilkanthdham), Hyderabad, Taravada, and Bangalore. Its international branches include
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(
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,
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), Paramus (New Jersey),
USA The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
) and Atlanta (Georgia, USA).


Description

The word Gurukul is combination of two Sanskrit words "Guru" and "Kula" where Guru means 'Teacher or Master' and Kula means 'abode'. Swaminarayan Gurukul is a mode through which, true education is spread along with religious virtue amongst the younger generation to enable them to be a better citizen and serve the society and be a helping hand towards the betterment of the world. The mission is to imbibe humanity, aesthetic sense and attitude of loving and appreciating nature. The institute does not only focus on Intelligence Quotient (IQ) but also takes care of the Emotional Quotient (EQ) and further inculcates necessary life skills. Swaminarayan Gurukul is amalgamation of 3 basic principles of life namely Vidya (Modern Science), Sadvidya (Traditional Education), and Brahmvidya (Spiritual Education).


Vidya – modern education

The meaning of education has changed over time, it isn't as it implied to win a living but to be able sufficiently to contribute at the global level. In today's advanced times, it is imperative that education covers all the perspectives of modern education (e.g. science and innovation) to create a child familiar with the global challenges. Some of these aspects are: * Knowledge – Application of one's understanding * Curiosity – Ability to answer WWH (What?, Why?, How?) * Creativity – Extraordinary thinking and turning ideas from scratch into reality * Leadership – Being able to take responsibility thereby using the skills and power efficiently * Dynamism – Adapting to the changes on the move.


Sadvidya – traditional education

Changing the lives of the students from the start by exceptionally giving the information with the genuine quintessence of values and ethics extricated from old Indian culture changing the life of the students into an upbeat and blissful journey. Giving Sadvidya makes a difference for a student to create: * Integrity – The quality of being judicious by purposeful, demeanor, conduct, and activity. * Empathy – To put oneself in the shoes of another person and feel their emotion. * Non-violence – Valuing the life of each living organism no matter how small or huge. * Gratefulness – Having an appreciation and being conscious towards – God, Saints, Guardians, Seniors, and Natural Resources. * Free from awful propensities – Creating a solid mentality and boundary to forbid awful propensities like insulting, smoking, drinking, drugs or enslavement, infidelity, betting or any future terrible habits.


Brahmavidya – spiritual education

For the most part, spirituality is considered a matter of conviction. Well, this can be a misguided judgment, spirituality is really the experience of the almighty. Brahmavidya values, the practices characterized by eternal Vedas and Supreme Bhagwan Shree Swaminarayan, leading us to realize self and the god. * Faith – Having faith in the word of God in form of scriptures and thus abiding by the rules laid by God * Devotion – Having gigantic adore and fondness for God with reverential practices like chanting god's mantras, tuning in to glories Lila of God, singing kirtans, prayer, and service (Seva) to God. * Atmanistha – Realizing oneself as a simple Soul, confined from the body, as a humble Sevak of God * Non-attachment – Creating an intelligence of separation from materialistic objects and interests of lady, riches, popularity, etc that are prominent to the dedication of God. * Realisation of God – Encountering and feeling the happy and divine shape of God in reality. * Affection with saintly persons – Having solid enthusiastic bond and unrestricted warmth with saints and beloved devotees and readiness to serve them.


Foundation


About the Founder

Shastriji Maharaj Shri Dharmajivandasji Swami reestablished the Gurukul tradition. He was born on 18 June 1901, on the auspicious day of the Rathyatra in Taravada village of Amreli District in Gujarat, India. His purvashram (childhood) name was Arjan Lakhani. On Rathyatra day Asho Sud-2 samvat 1973 his preceptor Purani Shree Gopinathdasji Swami arranged his initiation by Acharya Shree Shripatiprasadji Maharaj and later he was named Dharmjivandasji Swami. He was the great successor of Gunatit tradition. Also he had all the five saintly virtues as described by Bhagwan Swaminarayan. In addition, he was an ideal guru, redeemer, preceptor, nishkam seva yogi, and a great scholar. The foundation stone of Shree Swaminarayan Gurukul at Rajkot was laid on the auspicious day of Vasant Panchami, 11.05.1948 (Samvat year 2004).


Reason

To spread, प्रवर्तनिया सद्विद्या भूवि यत्सुकृतं महत् as written by Bhagwan Swaminarayan in Shikshapatri. Propagate true wisdom in the world, the noblest endeavor. Saints entrenched students with virtuous character by true value-based education based on righteous behavior, faith in god, and spiritualism, and for the all-round development of the young generation so which will be useful for society. To save younger from the vicious effect of evil company and developing bad addictions in the present age. To make the best character of students through real education and establish comprehensive status in every field. Train students to be patriotic, secular harmony between spirituality and modernity along with all the religious balances. Also to provide ultimate salvation (Kalyan) during the life and after the life as well.


Idea

Shastriji Maharaj went on foot to pilgrimage Badrinath (an abode of Badrinarayan on Himalaya) in 1946 (samvat year 2002). There he saw a few disciples/students of the guru (teacher) chanting mantras in Ashram. This flashed his intellect and made him realize that there was a missing factor in society is the value-based education system. He felt that the reach of education needs to grow spiritually and integrate it with one’s life. Schools and colleges were providing academic knowledge but moral values were missing. With the concept of rejuvenating the younger generation with modern education enhanced with moral values of life, he made a vow to establish Gurukul. Pujya Purani Swami Shree Premprakashdasji Swami, Pujya Mugat Swami Shree Nitrannamuktadasji Swami, and Tribhuvan Gaurishankar Vyas supported him wholeheartedly in his effort to establish Gurukul. With only 7 students, the Gurukul was started on 16.06.1948 (Jeth Sud-10,2004) Samvant in a rented house in Rajkot, Gujarat. To provide education for one and all, particularly underprivileged children.


Aims & Objectives

To propagate and promote Bhagwan Shree Swaminarayan's Message # Building the best character of pupils through credible education. # Establish comprehensive development in every zone. # Prepare students to be the best patriots. # Creating secular harmony for all types of religions. # Equalize between modernity and spirituality.


Vision

Build a strong base of the beauty of Indian culture in young people's lives, including modern technology education, achieving an atmosphere of sophistication along with positive behaviours, and enhancing the life of young people in general.


Mission

The Mission is to teach: # Vidya: Modern Education # Brahmvidya: Spiritual Education # Sadvidya: Traditional Education


References

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External links


Rajkot Gurukul Website
Swaminarayan Sampradaya Rajkot Education International Spirituality 1948 establishments in India Educational institutions established in 1948