Importance of Theoretical and Practical Knowledge Delivered by Krishna

Why do IITs and IIMs are the most sought after colleges. One reason for sure, for IITs, is the campus placements, year after year, create breaking news. And one more reason is the IITs or IIMs create open atmosphere to students to be creative and hands-on. This method is believed to make students think out of the box. This is a game changer for the kid who spent years of schooling amidst four walls to get admission in IIT. 

Now, lets get into our good old ancient times of knowledge centres, famously known as Gurukulam. What did Gurukulam aim for, during our ancient times? The place where Gurukulam is located is usually amidst forests or huge open place away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The learning of the student is measured not by timely examinations and grades, but by understanding the wisdom possessed in everyday applied knowledge. 

Once the kid joins the gurukulam, at the age of 6, 8 or 11, the kid has a choice to stay till he or she is satisfied with the applied knowledge acquired. Each kid is given importance to their way of learning and to the speed of learning. Again the speed and style of learning is determined by the teacher or guru who tests their wisdom by making the kid think and be open to learn any aspect. This grooms the kid's self-confidence because, the kid is mentally strong as he understands himself when he faces the question from the guru. The kid is empowered to question and cross question one's motives and actions. The kid is empowered to find solutions to problems the kid is facing or the guru asks. Which we call it now, thinking out of the box.

Though the education system had changed in India over the last few centuries, due to invasions and colonial style to make uniform style for all kids in the way of thinking, solving, etc, now, the newer generation is teaching the parents again that every kid is different. As parents, we have to give them time to learn and get them hands-on in every aspect and get to know some real practical knowledge through application. The wisdom acquired needs to be questioned and improved. 

Krishna while delivering Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna, Krishna first speaks to Arjuna about theory and then about how to practice this knowledge. Chapter 2 is all about theoretical knowledge. And Arjuna asks a question in the beginning of chapter 3.

This is the symbol of Arjuna craving to know more from Krishna, his Guru at that point of time. Krishna is open to reveal to his student Arjuna about the practical and applied knowledge. Lets observe Arjuna's clarity of questioning which makes him confident while questioning. Also, lets observe he is not fearful while questioning his Guru, Krishna. 

Let's look at the verses ....

Chapter 3 shloka 1 to shloka 4. 

अर्जुन उवाच

ज्यायसी चेत्कर्मणस्ते मता बुद्धिर्जनार्दन।

तत्किं कर्मणि घोरे मां नियोजयसि केशव।।3.1।।

arjuna uvāca

jyāyasī cētkarmaṇastē matā buddhirjanārdana.

tatkiṅ karmaṇi ghōrē māṅ niyōjayasi kēśava৷৷3.1৷৷

Meaning - Arjuna said - " Kesava, if you say, knowledge is superior , then why are you asking me to get engaged in this work (karma) ?"

व्यामिश्रेणेव वाक्येन बुद्धिं मोहयसीव मे।

तदेकं वद निश्िचत्य येन श्रेयोऽहमाप्नुयाम्।।3.2।।

vyāmiśrēṇēva vākyēna buddhiṅ mōhayasīva mē.

tadēkaṅ vada niśicatya yēna śrēyō.hamāpnuyām৷৷3.2৷৷

Meaning - Arjuna continues " With your statements and words, I am unable to decide which act is good for me and you tell me through which I remain happy and reach higher "

Krishna delivered theoretical knowledge and empowered Arjuna to think what Arjuna wants in his life to reach higher levels. The confidence of Arjuna is been built and hence he could ask such questions to his Guru, Krishna.

If the student is in a position to understand and learn what the student has to do if he or she wants to reach a better position , Guru's aim is accomplished because the Guru always aims at empowering the student to be open to know what is best and right at that moment as per the prescribed duty. 

Let's know what Krishna answers 

श्री भगवानुवाच

लोकेऽस्मिन्द्विविधा निष्ठा पुरा प्रोक्ता मयानघ।

ज्ञानयोगेन सांख्यानां कर्मयोगेन योगिनाम्।।3.3।।

śrī bhagavānuvāca

lōkē.smindvividhā niṣṭhā purā prōktā mayānagha.

jñānayōgēna sāṅkhyānāṅ karmayōgēna yōginām৷৷3.3৷৷

Meaning - Sri Krishna said - " Anagha, sinless one, I had already mentioned, there are two ways of learning in the world, one is jnana yoga - followed by analytical thinkers and philosophers ; karma yoga - action led path followed by others."

न कर्मणामनारम्भान्नैष्कर्म्यं पुरुषोऽश्नुते।

न च संन्यसनादेव सिद्धिं समधिगच्छति।।3.4।।

na karmaṇāmanārambhānnaiṣkarmyaṅ puruṣō.śnutē.

na ca saṅnyasanādēva siddhiṅ samadhigacchati৷৷3.4৷৷

Meaning - Krishna continues, "Neither just by actions nor by knowledge nor by renunciation, a person can reach higher level."

In chapter 5, Krishna mentions clearly, how important it is to use both theoretical knowledge and practical knowledge and perform one's duties to reach a higher level. 

सांख्ययोगौ पृथग्बालाः प्रवदन्ति न पण्डिताः।

एकमप्यास्थितः सम्यगुभयोर्विन्दते फलम्।।5.4।।

sāṅkhyayōgau pṛthagbālāḥ pravadanti na paṇḍitāḥ.

ēkamapyāsthitaḥ samyagubhayōrvindatē phalam৷৷5.4৷৷

Meaning - Krishna said, " Only ignorant people, think the theoretical (philosophical) and practical (action) knowledge are different. The person who understands that both should be clubbed together , will reach the higher level."

 The analysis made by the children is more important when they club with their hands-on knowledge to understand the reality and attain wisdom.

In India and abroad, there are schools which are inspired by our ancient gurukulam system. Though exams and grades are a part of their curriculum, teaching them education with values also plays a major role. However, parents need to be vigilant in understanding the real concept and mission of the school as tagging "Gurukul" to the school name has become a common practice in the present times.

Let's explore Bhagavad Gita, Let's understand Bhagavad Gita and implement in our lives to bring out the confident person from within us. 

Keerthi Peratla.