MODERN GURUKUL SYSTEM FOR AYURVEDA MAHARASHTRA STATE MODEL yurveda, the ancient Indian Medical Science is fast gaining global acceptance and popularity. The reason for this global resurgenceA of Ayurvedalies in its unique and holistic approach towards health promotion, disease prevention and effective disease management system. Ayurveda, the science of life, whichtraces its roots in the holy Vedas, has an unparalleled and unbroken tradition of scientific medical knowledgeand practice of its basic fundamentals and treatment modalities since thousands of years. The fundamentals of Ayurveda were conceptualised and derived by the ancient sages and seers based on their extensive experiential knowledge and wisdom and then codified into concise and precise Sutras. This scientific knowledge of Ayurveda was considered sacrosanct and imparted models. The holy and revered spiritual science and technology. There is also a by the Acharyas/Gurus to their select text Gurugita describes Guru as the one parallel need being felt in the Ayurvedic and deserving disciples through who removes the darkness of ignorance fraternity to rejuvenate and reintroduce Aptopadesha orpersonal discourse in with the tool of true knowledge and the ancient Gurukul System in modern a highly pious and dedicated manner bestows clear vision and thinking to the day Ayurvedic education so as to learn i.e., through Guru-Shishya Paramparain disciple. and practice Ayurveda in its purest form. Gurukul setup. The Atreya Parampara or School of Medicine founded by In fact the National Accreditation and Acharya Atreya and the Dhanwantari Assessment Councilthat assesses and Parampara or School of Surgery founded accredits higher education Institutions by Acharya Dhanwantari are famous This highly effective teaching and (HEIs) in Indiaalso emphasizes the examples of the prevalent Gurukul training way of Gurukul system lost importance of Mentor Mentee Scheme in System of Ayurveda in those ancient much of its significance in the colonial the Institute and data of Mentor- Mentee times. The remnants of the world famous British era with the imposition of the ratio for academic and stress related Universities of Takshashila, Nalanda Modern didactical method of teaching issues in its Impact Assessment Criteria. and Vikramshila stand testimony to the introduced by the erstwhile Lord highly developed and institutionalised Macaulay. The problem has been Under the able guidance of the Hon’ble Gurukul System in India. The classical compounded by the present era of Minister Medical Education Mr Girish Ayurvedic texts quote Aptopadesha as Information Communication Technology Mahajan and Hon’ble Secretary the foremost tool of gaining knowledge. and digitization where there is an Medical Education and Drugs, Govt Charak Samhita contains an entire explosion of knowledge and the young of Maharashtra, the Directorate of chapter (Charak Samhita Vimanasthana eager minds are being forced to acquire AYUSHhas conceptualised and eighth chapter) dedicated to the ideal this knowledge relentlessly thus leaving proposed the idea of “MODERN method of learning Ayurveda and states little scope for nurturing their creativity, GURUKUL SYSTEM FOR AYURVEDA- Adhyayan/Self study, Adhyapan/teaching reasoning, independent thinking and MAHARASHTRA STATE MODEL” for and Tadvidya Sambhasha/ debates and practical application of the knowledge. comprehensive academic, clinical and discussions with peers as the three The essential qualities like sense of technical skill development of Ayurveda modalities of learning Ayurvedic Science. curiosity, empathy, sensitivity to social Graduation Course students. As a It also mentions the ideal qualities of issues and ethics in addition to subject pilot project/ first phase of the project, Guru and Shishya. Ashtang Sangraha knowledge are neither emphasised nor the Directorate of AYUSH has chosen describes the Guru Shishya model of inculcated in the students. The present the first year Undergraduate students study in Shishyopanayaneeyam chapter. Education system is also evolving and admitted in prestigious R A Podar Sushrut Samhita elaborates the concept developing continuously to gel with Ayurved College, Worli, Mumbai in the of Vishikhanupravesh wherein aspiring the demands of modern era. Ayurvedic academic year 2018-19, to transform Ayurvedic surgeons evolve into expert Education system also needs to be and mould them into ideal students of surgeons after dedicated surgical training continuously upgraded and modified to Ayurveda. Major highlights of this novel on inanimate practice objects and stay abreast with the rapid progress in education model are summarized below- 42 | Vedayu Health with Ayurveda | Dec - Feb 2018 to gain proficiency in Sanskrit • The 100 first year Undergraduate them to excel in academics and language especially Vyakaran/ students have been grouped into extracurricular activities in which the Grammar since all the classical 10 cohesive batches of 10 students student has a special natural affinity. texts or Samhitasare composed of each. Each segment of 10 students Sanskrit Sutras. To study the original will be called as Group and a Group • The entire batch of students will Sanskrit text from classical Samhitas Leader will be chosen from amongst be given all round exposure in and to comprehend the precise themselves every six months on a academic, clinical and research meaning of these Ayurvedic sutrasit rotatory basis. The Group Leader fields of Ayurveda. They will be is essential for the student to have will be able to work as an instant encouraged to actively participate a thorough knowledge of Sanskrit help in reaching the issues of any of in various state level, national language. Hence it is proposed its group members to the Guru or and international competitions, tointroduce a Dual Degree Course Mahaguru. Rotation will also enable workshops, exhibitions, seminars, for these students wherein after tie inculcating Leadership qualities in all debates, conferences, training up with reputed Sanskrit University students of the batch. programmes and other related the students will be regularly taught events. Sanskrit Language by conducting • Each batch has been assigned extra classes throughout the a young and dynamic Assistant • Special educational excursions Ayurvedic Graduation Course. The Professor (who is a young and and field visits to various reputed students will be conferred with B A promising teacher) of the college as National Institutes, Research Sanskrit Degree and M A Sanskrit a Guru/Mentor. Institutes, Pharmacies and Drug Degree after the completion of three Testing Laboratories, Medical years and five years respectively, so • A Mahaguru/Chief mentor and Plant Gardens and Pharmaceutical that the student passing the BAMS Sahayak Mahaguru/ Assistant Chief Companies will be arranged for them / Ayurveda Graduation course will Mentor have also been assigned to 2-3 times annually. also have a M A Sanskrit Degree. monitor and coordinate the entire Award of BA and MA degree in functioning of this Gurukul system in • Regular knowledge updatethrough Sanskrit will be kind of an award for the College. access to various national and putting extra efforts throughout the international peer reviewed Journals course of BAMS studies. • The regular teaching program of Ayurveda and related fields. as per the Council’s norms shall • Equal emphasis will be given to continue. In addition focus shall • To inculcate the scientific temper gaining proficiency in English be laid on making these young in the students they will be language to enable them to interact students proficient in Sanskrit & encouraged to present papers and and present themselves at various English besides building up there posters in national and international interdisciplinary platforms as also confidence levels so as to make very conferences/seminars and to prepare these young students for confident Ayurveda Practitioners/ publications 2-3 times annually. international exposure. Teachers/Professionals in days to come. • Eminent personalities and stalwarts It is especially worthwhile to quote the from Ayurved and big achievers positive thoughts and ideas of Prof. Dr. • Each Guru/Mentor shall be from other fields will be invited o Kuldip Raj Kohli, Director AYUSH, Govt responsible for addressing all the deliver motivational lectures for the of Maharashtra, Dr. Deelip Mhaisekar academic and college campus life students. Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, Dr. Kalidas related issues including personal Chavan, Registrar, Maharashtra and family related issues affecting • Special emphasis will be given University of Health Sciences, Nashik his disciples/students assigned to on gaining proficiency in spoken and the Teachers and students of R A him/her and strive wholeheartedly and written Sanskrit language. It Podar Ayurved Medical College, in this for their professional and over all is being made mandatory for the regard. development during the Graduation Under graduate student of Ayurveda period of five and a half years. • The Guru/Mentor shall identify the strengths, weaknesses, likings, hobbies and areas of interests of each student and inspire and guide 43 | Vedayu Health with Ayurveda | Dec - Feb 2018 “I have always been of the view that we are for sure “This concept of Mentor- Mentee is laudable and it is also missing something in teaching Ayurveda to students as being emphasised by NAAC. This is a very good project. the product walking out of the campus was not confident Emphasis on Sanskrit is essential