There are two words in the current theme: Ananda –happiness and education. By implication, the topic calls for such an education that paves the way for happiness; in other words, learning to be happy. Happiness, the Ananda in Indian terms, has two foremost synonyms, pleasure, and satisfaction.
The objective of education is to achieve the goal of life, i.e., happiness or pleasure, which is conducive to inner satisfaction; it may be the essence of the whole theme. However, the spirit in the root of the topic can be seen in the larger perspective as the one to make life meaningful. Therefore, a deeper and more insightful analysis of the theme is required. Let us discuss it accordingly starting from happiness, the Ananda as it is the nucleus of the theme as well as the goal of all our actions!
The Indian concept of the Ananda, happiness is based on a stupendous and prodigious idea associated with philosophy and spiritual thinking of which the universal unity (Sarvabhaumik Ekata) is the focus; in the realization and development of this, great sages, Rishis and Maharishis have played not only an important role, but they have devoted their entire life in various discoveries and experiments related to it. The concept of the Ananda transforms into reality after reaching the state of the Paramananda, Moksha, Mukti, Nirvana, Parinirvana or Vimukti. It is a state of being one with the Supreme, the ocean of bliss:
“रसो वै सः। रसं ह्येवायं लब्ध्वानन्दी भवति –Raso Vai Sah Rasam Hyevaayam Labdhvaanandii Bhavati” – The Taittiriiyopanishad (2: 7: 2)
The Indian concept of Ananda is, thus, far broader in comparison to the views of the Western thinkers like Epicurus (lifetime: 342/1-270 BCE) and Cicero (lifetime: 106-43 BCE), who have accepted a situation free from pains to be the best state of pleasure, and have declared physical-mental peace to be the symptom of joy. It is also different from their opinion in which they have considered enjoying physical-mental pleasure to be the happiness.
The Indian concept of the Ananda is also far greater than the perception of those psychologists who believe that pleasure is in the fulfilment of physical-material desires, also of those who believe in the maximum pleasure –happiness to the maximum number as established by the Utilitarian thinkers.
One thing, which emerges predominantly in almost all the above-mentioned concepts related to happiness, including the ideas of psychologists and the Utilitarian thinkers, is that happiness relates more to one’s state of mind than to physical satisfaction. This observation is commonly found to some extent in these ideas related to happiness and brings them all near the broad Indian perspective of the Ananda.
Indian perspective of happiness, however, connecting mental satisfaction, pleasure, or joy with Soul (the Atman) emerges as a unique concept. Along with this, it beautifully reveals the spirit in the root of the word happiness. In Indian perspective, happiness is not a momentary state. It is not confined to a short-term pleasure or satisfaction, or to a tiny accomplishment. Rather, the Ananda remains continuously intact in a well-balanced state of mind. It calls for a constructive approach or disposition and dynamism. The Ananda is finally in one’s self-realization and spiritual awakening. It is the pathway to make life worthy and meaningful. It goes to the level of the Paramananda, i.e., the ultimate ecstasy, and after reaching the state of the Paramananda, the Ananda or happiness becomes real for the one.
For the realization of happiness and its development at the mental level, the role of education is pivotal. This can be well comprehended if one gets familiarity, even in brief, with the meaning and purpose of education.
What is education? Is it that imparted in a Pathshala, a college or a university according to prescribed syllabi and which ends in just obtaining a certificate or a degree? Not at all! It is just a part of the process of education. Education, Shiksha in Indian terms is, according to the literal meaning and its basic spirit, a process to bring out, which already exists within, i.e., the realization and development of virtues, possessed by one and on the basis of them an all-round growth of personality. Education is meant to drive away the darkness of ignorance, misery, pain and negativity through knowledge and wisdom. It evolves us from being to becoming.
In great Indian tradition Shiksha, the first among the six Vedaangas, is associated with the phonology, or the science of sounds, which by way of producing sounds connects us with the Divine, thereby attaining the Paramananda. Further, all Indian concepts of education, which are known for their superiority, especially ideas appearing in the Upanishads in this regard, or views of Tirthankara Mahavira (lifetime 599-527 BCE), Shakyamuni Gautama (lifetime: 563-483 BCE), Adi Shankaracharya (lifetime: 788-820 AD), Sri Aurobindo (1872-1950 AD), Swami Dayananda ‘Saraswati’ (lifetime: 1824-1883 AD), Swami Vivekananda (lifetime: 1863-1902 AD) or Mahatma Gandhi (lifetime: 1869-1948 AD), all the matchless representatives of the Sanatana tradition (the basic idea of India) in their respective eras, or even views put forth by eminent thinkers from the West such as Socrates (lifetime: 470-399 BCE) or Plato (lifetime: 428/427 or 424/423-348/347 BCE), take it as a process of bringing out what one already possesses. Further, through the proper development of virtues to make one’s life substantial and worthwhile in all manners. That is why; it has been rightly said in an old Indian dictum related to education that education is that, which paves the way to make life all purposeful, i.e., brings the life to the door of salvation, the Mukti:
“सा विद्या या विमुक्तये –Saa Vidyaa Yaa Vimuktaye”
A human being, woman or man equally, steps forward on the life-journey on the basis of virtues while having constructive approach or broad outlook in thoughts, speech and action and maintaining well the mental balance; finally, she or he attains the Moksha, which is indeed the state of the Paramananda. It is the basic spirit, which lies at the heart of the above-mentioned dictum. It is the highest state of morality, the acid test of ethics and righteousness.
Education denotes happiness in life. It is for bringing balance, harmony, and expansion in one’s approach and to establish uniformity in behaviour on the strength of virtues. Therefore, the role of all educational institutions, from primary to higher levels, in edifying this reality, i.e., education is for happiness, remains vital.
The aim of every educational institution is to prepare students to succeed in future life and to get self-sufficiency to make life purposeful not only for themselves, but also for their fellow beings. This aim can be achieved only if educational institutions work in this direction. Institutions, taking it as their sole responsibility, step forward to achieve real happiness, the Ananda, through knowledge they impart to make life of students meaningful and by producing a society of happy people.
For this, association of high human values with the process of education is necessary. At all levels of education, from primary to higher, imparting knowledge of values, and their maximum adoption in mutual behaviours during the study period itself is desirable, as the way to happiness is continuous and dynamic.
In this regard, concrete efforts are desirable to make education the way of happiness, the Ananda, which is the meaning and purpose of Shiksha. Let us understand that education is only the means to achieve happiness and the Sadhya in itself; centuries ago, the Maharishis and great sages had presented this reality before humanity.
*A Padma Shri and Sardar Patel National Awardee Indologist Dr. Ravindra Kumar is a Former Vice Chancellor of CCS University, Meerut; he is, currently the Ombudsman of Swami Vivekananda Subharati University, Meerut (India).
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