PRAGYA SANTHAN - A SCHOOL OF CONSCIOUSNESS

PRANJYA SANSTHAN
(The School of Consciousness)

Motivation
In response to the continuous call of seekers of truth, scholars, devotees and others who cherish the higher values of life, Vraja Academy was founded on the eve of Deepavali by Pujya Shri Sripad Baba- a mystic-saint, scholar and philosopher- in Vrindavan, Mathura (U.P.) in October, 1978. Under the guidance of this great visionary the Academy emerged as an upholder of the true cultural traditions of Vraja and a strong repository of the contributions of the saint-poets of Bhakti Movement of 12th-16th century. Nevertheless, Vraja signifies "forward moving", 'Baba' wished that the activities of Vraja Academy should grow worldwide. Therefore, he proposed to establish a University- Eastern University of Consciousness (EUC) - at Vrindavan and several Schools of Consciousness or the centers of "spiritual and cultural regeneration" in various parts of the globe. The proposed University along with the Schools of Consciousness was to augment and decentralize the endeavours of cultural and spiritual initiatives originally undertaken by Baba through Vraja Academy. Baba asked me and my fiancée, Rita Nath, in February 1990 to establish one such School of Consciousness- The Pranjya Sansthan- at New Delhi and take up this as the full time activity. He also asked us to set the objectives following objectives:
À To undertake and sponsor research on Vraja (Indian) culture;
À To foster learning and teaching of Sanskrit language and literature;
À To study man-environment relationship in spiritual perspective;
À To act as a catalyst for cultural and spiritual growth;
À To prepare a curriculum based on ancient gurukul system of education for the proposed University of Consciousness. The main feature of the syllabus will be to synthesise the sublime elements of conventional Vedic Upnishadic education system with the modern developments in the field of natural and social sciences. Thus, the curriculum prepared by school of Consciousness is to infuse spiritual consciousness into the existing system of education
However, we neither had economic security nor adequate confidence to undertake such a gigantic task. Besides, my marriage was fixed I had an offer to join my first permanent job of Research Officer at

Scope and Activities
To stage Raslila- the spiritual folk drama of Vraja- and other performances. Moreover, it will conduct awareness-oriented courses on the discipline of Yogic system in order to develop the higher faculty of understanding. The courses will include lessons on Yogasans, Pranayam and meditation.
To regularly organise seminars symposia and arrange talks and lectures of the saints, scholars and seekers of the different parts of the world. In a way it will act as a meeting-ground for the seekers of the East and West so that they can exchange their experiences and learn from each others.
In view of the deteriorating environmental conditions and its negative impact on human psychology and relationships, the Centre will attempt to provide an alternate view based on holistic perception of man-environment relationship. Besides, the center will chart out plan of action in order to establish harmony between mans psyche and nature.

The School will have a centre for teaching Sanskrit in pure vedic tradition to foster the learning of Sanskrit among novices.

Stages of Development
Stage-I
· Acquisition of suitable physical space, approximately the size of Aurobindo Centre, (Katwaria Sarai, New Delhi) for opening the School.
Stage II
· Construction of the building including classrooms, learning resource centre, auditorium, computer laboratory, faculty rooms, administrative office.
Stage-III
· The establishment of a first-rate learning resources centre with the facilities for advance research on Indology, arts and culture having: i) a very exclusive collection of books, journals monographs dealing with various aspects of indology including Vraja culture, arts, literature and philosophy; ii) an audio-visual section containing recorded speeches of saints, and scholars, and films on devotional themes; iii) computer laboratory.
Stage-IV
The third stage will forge the link between the idea of Vraja Academy of establishing Eastern University of Consciousness in Vrindavan and various Centres of Vraja Academy to be set up all over the world.


Footnotes

First, the Memorandum of Association of Vraja Academy mooted the idea of opening the Vraja University in Vrindavan. Later on it was proposed to be named Eastern University of Consciousness by late Professor S. N. Mahajan, former Research Director of Vraja Academy. The idea of establishing EUC is taking concrete shape under the auspices of Vraja Academy. Recently during the month of July-August, 1989 the idea was further discussed in Bangalore by pajya Shripada Baba with renowned artist philosopher and mystic Dr. S. Roerich and Devika Rani.

The development of the ideas and plans of an alternative system of education can be found in different publications of vraja Academy. Temple Culture; Roots of New Education Policy; Shasvat Bharati; Shiksha Sankalp; and Education for the Future.