Gurukula

Gurukula (Sanskrit: गुरुकुल) is a type of residential school in India with pupils (shishya) living near the guru, often in the same house. Before British rule, they served as South Asia's primary educational institution. The guru-shishya tradition (parampara) is a hallowed one in Hinduism and appears in other religious groups in India, such as Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism. The word gurukula is a contraction of the Sanskrit guru (teacher or master) and kula (extended family).

In a gurukula, shishya live together as equals, irrespective of their social standing, learn from the guru and help the guru in his day-to-day life, including the carrying out of mundane chores such as washing clothes, cooking, etc. Typically, a guru does not receive any fees from the shishya studying with him. At the end of his studies, a shishya offers the guru dakshina before leaving the gurukula or ashram. The gurudakshina is a traditional gesture of acknowledgment, respect and thanks to the guru, which may be monetary, but may also be a special task the teacher wants the student to accomplish. While living in a gurukula the students had to be away from home and family completely. The guru did not take any fees and so they had to serve the guru.

Gurukula have existed since the ancient age. Upanishads mention many gurukula, including that of guru Drona at Gurugram,Yajnavalkya, Varuni. Bhrigu Valli, the famous discourse on Brahman, is mentioned to have taken place in Guru Varuni's gurukula. Vedic school of thought prescribes an initiation (Upanayana, a compulsory Sanskara or activity for a Hindu living) to all individuals before the age of 8 or latest by 12. From initiation until the age of 25 all individuals are prescribed to be students and to remain unmarried.

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