Education for Human Excellence

Women in Modern age

Message of Upanishads

Science and Religion

Children: Humanity's Greatest Assets

Role and Responsibility of Teachers in Building up Modern India

1. Introduction :

Swami Vivekananda's contribution towards education stands unique in philosophic and social fields. He wanted the uplift of all Indians through education based on the system of education, where in every individual gets total development due to him or her.

Swami Ranganathananda has taken up the task to further the system of education based on the system of Swami Vivekananda, in order to understand the concept of education.

Swamiji's teachings have been recognized as secular and nationalistic in character. Because of this principle reason, he is invited to deliver Lectures on education by the institutions managed by the Government, Semi-Government and private, in our India and outside alike. The following are the sources of writings from which important data is gathered for the development of Monograph.

1. Education for Human Excellence:

Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan published this book in 1971 as third Volume of Eternal Values for a changing society. This book is an answer to the different questions, which were answered by Swamiji on education:

What is India's Educational Vision?

Education for what?

How is our modern education related to Upanisads?

How can we achieve human development through education?

What is man-making education?

What are the new dimensions of education in the modern age?

and so on.

2. Women in the Modern Age:

Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan published this book in 1991 as 9th Volume of its booklet series. In this book Swamiji has dealt with the problems faced by women, particularly in the west in this modern age. Swamiji stressed that " A satisfactory social order can be established only with the willing cooperation of both men and women equals".

Swamiji also stressed that "The manhood of man by men and the womanhood of woman by women, in the context of the equality of the marital relationship. Indian culture recognizes a significant experience of spiritual education, and feels its necessity for real peace and harmony. There is thus no real independence for either men or women at present because, the consensus of equality is to be developed. The inter-dependence is the law of nature, not an indifferent independence".

3. The Message of the Upanisads:

Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan published this book in 1968. The Swamiji at the Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture, Calcutta, of which he was the Secretary at that time, originally delivered the Lectures comprising in this book.

The message of the Upanisads is a study, verse by verse, of three of the principal Upanisads, namely Isa, Kena and Katha. The first contains eighteen, the second thirty-five, and the third One Hundred and Nineteen verses. Though they constituting a small portion of the total Upanishadic literature, they yet contain a lucid exposition of all the essential ideas of

this immortal literature. It has discussed the ideals of Indian Ancient Education in this volume.

4. Science and Religion:

Advaita Ashrama published this book in 1978 based on lectures delivered by Swamiji at Bangalore University. In this book Swamiji stressed the need that "Science and Religion are the two great disciplines in the light of Indian Wisdom. The scientific temper and attitude, with its passion for truth and stress on verification of conclusions, common training for religion and for physical sciences is need of the hour.

5. Children: Humanity's Greatest Assets :

This book was published by Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in 1986 as 2nd Volume of Eternal Values booklets series. In this book Swamiji stressed the importance that " Our ancient seers and sages have considered the innocent babies as the very image of God. Vedanta reveals that every baby is a potential divinity and can blossom into spiritual giants like Buddha or Jesus is properly helped to unfold him or herself step by step. Education is the instrument, which unfolds the hidden potentialities into actualities.

6. Role and Responsibility of Teachers in Building up Modern India: