Thakur Anukulchandra & His Educational Thoughts
dr uma prasanna pani
Life History of Sree Sree Thakur
Anukulchandra Chakraborty popularly known as Sree Sree Thakur was born on 14 September 1888 in Himaitpur village in the Pabna district of Bangladesh. His father was Shibchandra Chakraborty and his mother was Manomohini Devi. The childhood of Sree Sree Thakur was full of miracle which astonished his father, mother and the villagers. Child Anukul Chandra showed signs of super human greatness. While playing when he got dusty, this small boy was still the embodiment of Vedanta. He was studied in the Saratcandra Medical School (now National Medical College). But due to protest against orthodox curriculum, he could not obtain a diploma in medicine.After completion of medical study he practised medicine. At the age of 17, Anukulchandra married to Saroshibala Devi. He was a great social reformer. The dwellers of Himaitpur were considered antisocial. Anukulchandra tried to bring a reform in them and wonderfully succeeded in it. People who were considered blots on society turned into assets and the woman who were dragged into flesh trade led a respectable life in the society.
The next phase of his life was devoted to Samkirtan (a type of devotional songs). Anukulchandra flourished as a yogi and many people became his disciples. He set up a Satsanga ashram, first at Pabna in Bangladesh in 1946, and then at Deoghar in India, for fostering spiritual development.
Sree Sree Thakur left his terrestrial body on 27th January 1969.
His Educational Thoughts
1. Ideal: the Living Embodiment of Education
2. Realization of Higher Values : Sat-Chit-Anand
‘Sat’ means the existence; ‘Chit’ means the responsiveness; ‘Anand means the overcoming resistance
3. Shradha or Faith: the Gateway to Knowledge -‘Shradhavan lavate Gyanam’
4. Knowledge breeds Humility - ‘Vidya Vinayang Dadati’
5. Literacy Degree: not the Emblem of Education
6. Education : Harmony between Habit and Behaviour - The systematic organization of instincts and habits that will fulfill the becoming of life through a graduated, active manipulation of behavior is education.
7. Education : Training for Adversity - True education is that which trains the individual to face life in its abysmal depth of despair, sinking in sorrow and braving through bad times. Gain success by avoiding or defeating misfortune and see that difficulties do not cheat you of success.
8. Education : Formation of Character
9. Education : Attainment of Complete Personality
10. Education : For Village Regeneration - Every house of a village is to be reformed and every individual of the house is to be refined into a better being.
11. Home : the Beginning of Education
“Affectionate goading of mother makes her children adopt themselves to good characteristics, if any of the essential resources of father dwells in them”
Teacher
Teacher is a prophet of education, the angel of culture and the real governor-guide to the students, the society, the culture and the country.
1. Teacher – the crystal Nucleus of Students
“A teacher with all his characteristics acts as the crystal nucleus in the concentric adherence
of the students, moulds their character, exalts their talents and induces urge according to the instinctive characteristics of the pupil”
2. Teacher-Harbinger of Interest in Study
3. Teacher : His Character - The character of a teacher is to be like a blazing fire.
4. Basic Principle of Teaching - If you cannot feel the pulse of your pupils in order to nurse nurture their minds in their suitable lines, you are bound to fail in your mission. Here lies the basic principle of teaching.
Student and Discipline
1. Where the disciples are of the same principle with every sincerity discipline is automatic.
2. Negative comments- a bar to Child’s Self-confidence- It creates in the child a dislike, frustration and lack of self confidence.
3. Corporal punishment – a great hindrance
By applying beastly force upon the criminals we may suppress the beastlyhood in them for time being. It may regrow at any moment of the chance he gets. Godliness can be developed in men only when we infuse in them an attitude of love, affection, compassion, and all human virtues rather than applying beastly force. (Alochana Prasange Vol.VII)
4. Appreciation – a technique of discipline
The teacher should publicly appreciate the child for his achievements.
5. Role of Parents to cultivate discipline
Love, admiration and service are the imbibing features of being leading to achievements that tune the intellect, character and behavior. (The Message Vol.VIII)
Anukulchandra Chakraborty popularly known as Sree Sree Thakur was born on 14 September 1888 in Himaitpur village in the Pabna district of Bangladesh. His father was Shibchandra Chakraborty and his mother was Manomohini Devi. The childhood of Sree Sree Thakur was full of miracle which astonished his father, mother and the villagers. Child Anukul Chandra showed signs of super human greatness. While playing when he got dusty, this small boy was still the embodiment of Vedanta. He was studied in the Saratcandra Medical School (now National Medical College). But due to protest against orthodox curriculum, he could not obtain a diploma in medicine.After completion of medical study he practised medicine. At the age of 17, Anukulchandra married to Saroshibala Devi. He was a great social reformer. The dwellers of Himaitpur were considered antisocial. Anukulchandra tried to bring a reform in them and wonderfully succeeded in it. People who were considered blots on society turned into assets and the woman who were dragged into flesh trade led a respectable life in the society.
The next phase of his life was devoted to Samkirtan (a type of devotional songs). Anukulchandra flourished as a yogi and many people became his disciples. He set up a Satsanga ashram, first at Pabna in Bangladesh in 1946, and then at Deoghar in India, for fostering spiritual development.
Sree Sree Thakur left his terrestrial body on 27th January 1969.
His Educational Thoughts
1. Ideal: the Living Embodiment of Education
2. Realization of Higher Values : Sat-Chit-Anand
‘Sat’ means the existence; ‘Chit’ means the responsiveness; ‘Anand means the overcoming resistance
3. Shradha or Faith: the Gateway to Knowledge -‘Shradhavan lavate Gyanam’
4. Knowledge breeds Humility - ‘Vidya Vinayang Dadati’
5. Literacy Degree: not the Emblem of Education
6. Education : Harmony between Habit and Behaviour - The systematic organization of instincts and habits that will fulfill the becoming of life through a graduated, active manipulation of behavior is education.
7. Education : Training for Adversity - True education is that which trains the individual to face life in its abysmal depth of despair, sinking in sorrow and braving through bad times. Gain success by avoiding or defeating misfortune and see that difficulties do not cheat you of success.
8. Education : Formation of Character
9. Education : Attainment of Complete Personality
10. Education : For Village Regeneration - Every house of a village is to be reformed and every individual of the house is to be refined into a better being.
11. Home : the Beginning of Education
“Affectionate goading of mother makes her children adopt themselves to good characteristics, if any of the essential resources of father dwells in them”
Teacher
Teacher is a prophet of education, the angel of culture and the real governor-guide to the students, the society, the culture and the country.
1. Teacher – the crystal Nucleus of Students
“A teacher with all his characteristics acts as the crystal nucleus in the concentric adherence
of the students, moulds their character, exalts their talents and induces urge according to the instinctive characteristics of the pupil”
2. Teacher-Harbinger of Interest in Study
3. Teacher : His Character - The character of a teacher is to be like a blazing fire.
4. Basic Principle of Teaching - If you cannot feel the pulse of your pupils in order to nurse nurture their minds in their suitable lines, you are bound to fail in your mission. Here lies the basic principle of teaching.
Student and Discipline
1. Where the disciples are of the same principle with every sincerity discipline is automatic.
2. Negative comments- a bar to Child’s Self-confidence- It creates in the child a dislike, frustration and lack of self confidence.
3. Corporal punishment – a great hindrance
By applying beastly force upon the criminals we may suppress the beastlyhood in them for time being. It may regrow at any moment of the chance he gets. Godliness can be developed in men only when we infuse in them an attitude of love, affection, compassion, and all human virtues rather than applying beastly force. (Alochana Prasange Vol.VII)
4. Appreciation – a technique of discipline
The teacher should publicly appreciate the child for his achievements.
5. Role of Parents to cultivate discipline
Love, admiration and service are the imbibing features of being leading to achievements that tune the intellect, character and behavior. (The Message Vol.VIII)