EDUCATION: ACCORDING TO ANCIENT TAPOVAN SYSTEM OF INDIA

[Brijesh Pandya]

EDUCATION: ACCORDING TO ANCIENT TAPOVAN SYSTEM OF INDIA

Dadaji's father, Rev. Vaijnathji Athalvale who was
a man of principles, was well aware as to what type of Education be
given to his son, Pandurang who had extra ordinary power of grasping
the subject. After Pandurang completed his school education in Mumbai,
his father, who was farsighted introduced Pandurang to system of
education according to Tapovan as was practiced in ancient India, at
Roha. This was done against the wishes of other relatives who were of
the opinion that Pandurang must go for attractive & lucrative ICS
examination. But Rev. Vaijnath Shastriji wanted him to be a true
Brahmin who lives for the sake of culture. Therefore, Rev. Vaijnath
Shastriji opened a unique center called by the name 'Saraswati
Sansktrut Pathshala' & gave education to his son in that school. A
thoughtful and principled society would emerge, only when there is a
synthesis of Indian cultural heritage & contemporary western thought.
In the Tapovan of Roha students were given deep training in comparitive
eastern and western philosophies along with proficiency in English
language. The traditional belief that English learning is banned in
hermitage-tapovan type of education was given good bye. The students of
the Tapovan no longer remain narrow minded, bookist scholar. All this
was due to the foresight and vision of Rev. Vaijnathji the father of
Rev. Pandurang Shastri.