Educational Foundations of Indian knowledge tradition: A Study of Swami Vivekananda’s vision

Abstract

The Indian knowledge tradition is the beacon of light of Sanatan culture and the bearer of Rishi tradition, which contains the spirit of holistic development, spiritual upliftment and moral values along with human welfare. It is that sacred river of values, cultures, rituals and vibrant emotions in which there is a divine confluence of knowledge, action, devotion and yoga. The Indian knowledge tradition is a vast consciousness within which India's infinite wealth of knowledge like Astronomy, Astrology, Nature, Environment, Ved, Vedang, Upnishadas, Chikitsa, Music, Literature, yoga and grammar etc. exists in its conscious form. An attempt to harness this same conscious power has also been made in the National Education Policy 2020. The first National Education Policy of the 21st century emphasizes the widespread dissemination and promotion of the Indian knowledge tradition. The chain of great bearers of the Indian knowledge tradition exists unbroken from Adi Shankaracharya to Swami Vivekananda. This is the same tradition that Swami Vivekananda revived in the 20th century, almost 130 years ago, at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893.Even in contemporary education, education integrated with the Indian knowledge tradition provides foundation for values, ethics, spirituality, logical thinking, Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, holistic education, and education for human development, along with the real purpose of life. The National Education Policy 2020's tenets of equity, quality, affordability, accountability, and accessibility are also a result of this vision. This research paper examines the educational foundations of the Indian knowledge tradition, with special reference to Swami Vivekananda's educational vision.