Preface

Education is the background of all nations. Proper education alone can build the character of a nation, and awaken the consciousness of nationality and freedom. Nation’s ideal, nation’s morality and sense of duty and everything depend upon her education. It is education that enables a man to be a ‘real and perfect man’.

But education must be practical. It must reform not only the stereotyped system of education, but also its academic procedure, and impart real knowledge and means that will enable men to stand on their own feet, and make them understand the value of the ideal and principles of education in their everyday life. And such is the earnest appeal of the patriotic author of this book to everyone.

This book contains four lectures, delivered by the Swami at different places in different times. The first lecture was delivered under the auspices of the Bihar Youngmen’s Institute at Patna in 1925, under the presidency of the then Minister of Education. It was so much appreciated that the President, out of his own accord, defrayed all the expenses for its publication. The second lecture was delivered in 1906 at Kualalampur on the Swami’s first return from the West. The third lecture was delivered in Madras in 1906 and has already been published in the book Lectures in India. The last lecture was given by the Swami at the Educational Conference in America as an amendment for the proposal of Dr. William H. Jackson, the noted professor of the Columbia University.

The readers will find in these lectures the broad vision and views of the Swami. Education should not be based alone upon the principle of economic betterment and industrial growth, but also on the moral elevation and spiritual ground so that it will make the nation in every way progressive and practical. The practical training in all branches of science, art, and industry, along with the philosophical, moral and spiritual development, should be the aim of education. This principle should be worked out by us for the well-being of the nation. The Swami realized this truth as a result of his experiences of many years’ stay in America and in many other countries of the world. His frequent visits to various institutions of education and close contact with the leading educationists in America led him to believe that the progress of a nation entirely depend upon the practical education in all branches of knowledge. And this practical education is to be imparted not only to the boys, but also to the girls as well, regardless of class and community. Without the practical application of this principle, our national progress is impossible. That is why in these lectures the Swami has again and again appealed to India’s men of light and leading, to improve the present system of education which is surely a hindrance to our economic, cultural, moral and spiritual advancement.

Swami Prajnanananda