Our Offering

Transference of Dharmic values through interactive and reflective pedagogies

Our Yajna (Offering) is to embody and further Dhārmic Values through INDIC Stories, Engaging Courses
& Immersive Yātras to nurture a spiritually grounded and culturally oriented Young Generation.

This, we believe is imperative to Reawaken the INFINITE Potential in the Young Generation.
How do we go about doing this?

School Workshops

The joy of learning is multi-fold when done in physical setting involving game-based yet reflective approaches.
This is precisely what we do through our School Workshops based on IKS related topics.

Education in Bhārat

Each of us is born with a certain gift - this could manifest in the form of a skill, an ability, or an orientation. Vedanta and Yoga - the greatest philosophies of our motherland have stated that the greatest quest of one’s life, in fact, the very purpose of one’s life is to be able to discover this gift within themselves and try and align this gift as a service to the society or larger context that one lives in.
The Bhāratīya Gnāna Paramparā or the Indic Knowledge Systems as it is now being referred to draws its substance from the universal and eternal truth codified into the Vedas. Thus, all that there is to know, all forms of knowledge are contained in the Vedas.
While we adopt the good things from our ancient past, we must also be mindful of the problems in our society and build a future which creates synergy between knowledge, culture from the past and contemporary issues. Solutions to many of the world's problems lie in the Indian Knowledge Systems.

NEP 2020 emphasises IKS in schools

The Indian education system is being revamped through the New Education Policy 2020. A major thrust has been laid on introducing the Bhāratīya Gnāna Parampara also known as Indian Knowledge Systems (‘IKS’) to students. “An engaging course on Indian Knowledge Systems will also be available to students in secondary school as an elective [4.27]” has been stated in the NEP 2020 document. It further reads:

“Cultural awareness and expression are among the major competencies considered important to develop in children, in order to provide them with a sense of identity, belonging, as well as an appreciation of other cultures and identities. [22.2]”
Students will be taught at a young age the importance of “doing what's right”, and will be given a logical framework for making ethical decisions. [4.28]

"All curriculum and pedagogy, from the foundational stage onwards, will be redesigned to be strongly rooted in the Indian and local context and ethos [4.29]"

"In all stages, experiential learning will be adopted ........ story-telling-based pedagogy, among others, as standard pedagogy within each subject. [4.6]"

Exposure to IKS will enable the students to bridge the divide between traditional and modern education systems by providing them with an opportunity to reconnect with the past, build holistic scientific temper and utilize it for carrying multidisciplinary research and innovation. For the upliftment of any individual, his/her roots in culture must be strong and to conserve these roots, one should know about the traditional Indian Knowledge System.
Moreover, IKS does not limit its benefits and application to just students. Teachers and faculty members strive to bring out the best in the learners. But we have often observed that they may not be experiencing complete well-being themselves.
Immersive training and rejuvenating experiences for teachers (and faculty members) on IKS-based pedagogies are the need of the hour to develop sensitive and mindful teachers - who become conduits in the passage of this timeless wisdom.

What needs to be done?

To realize this vision, we need to fulfill three goals

#Goal 1

#Goal 2

#Goal 3

Each of us is born with a certain gift - this could manifest in the form of a skill, an ability, or an orientation. Vedanta and Yoga - the greatest philosophies of our motherland have stated that the greatest quest of one’s life, in fact, the very purpose of one’s life is to be able to discover this gift within themselves and try and align this gift as a service to the society or larger context that one lives in.
The Bhāratīya Gnāna Paramparā or the Indic Knowledge Systems as it is now being referred to draws its substance from the universal and eternal truth codified into the Vedas. Thus, all that there is to know, all forms of knowledge are contained in the Vedas.
While we adopt the good things from our ancient past, we must also be mindful of the problems in our society and build a future which creates synergy between knowledge, culture from the past and contemporary issues.
Solutions to many of the world's problems lie in the Indian Knowledge Systems.

This is because IKS has a two-pronged approach to knowledge:

One is the knowledge of our inherent, divine potential that we are gifted with. This is referred to as Parāvidyā;

The other refers to the knowledge that helps us to prepare ourselves - the way we think, feel and act so as to us become capable of being anchored in our divine potential. This is referred to as Aparāvidyā

In spite of unprecedented changes in the world, IKS is still relevant as the foundations on which it is established, governs all life. IKS not just gives us a way to accumulate information (which is transitory) but more importantly, it guides us with meaning-making and perceptive frameworks. In short, it draws a clear distinction between that which is contextual and that which is eternal, and gives us intelligent devices to apply both.
Today’s world celebrates a specialist who is technically sound in a specific domain which seems to be divorced from all other domains - for example, learners are taught Sciences as though they have no relationship with the Arts, Biology, Values and so on. This segregation of subject-specific learning not just limits the learner’s mind to his/her own capabilities, but also restricts their understanding of the world in which they operate. This approach which is not integrative or holistic does not prepare learners to meet life’s contexts but simply makes them gatherers of ephemeral information.

How then does IKS differ you might ask?

IKS as the very name suggests does not treat the world to be differentiated into separate compartments. It’s foundational basis is a sense of integrality and inter-connectedness. What does this mean to a young learner? A learner who understands Physics is also able to appreciate its application to Biology, Mathematics, and even Art and Literature! In essence, the approach is holistic and complete.
Moreover, learning is not restricted for just learning’s sake - the intention behind all learning is to transform the learner in a deep way such that they become meaningful contributors to their societies and the world.

Each element of learning in IKS answers:

In other words, nuclear physics can be learnt by a scientist to advance the energy needs in his/her country. It can also be applied by a terrorist for destructive purposes! How is education empowering the HEAD, HANDS and most importantly the HEART of the learner?
IKS is a beautiful solution for this!

By integrating IKS into the curriculum, students can:

Bharat has the responsibility of leading the world towards a state of harmony. For that, we need our children to first be rooted in IKS. The Vedic Pond endeavours to enable deeply researched, fun and interesting IKS curriculum for young minds.

What is IKS Curriculum?

The IKS curriculum is designed to introduce students to the diverse knowledge systems of India, including Vedic knowledge, Yoga, Ayurveda, Nyayas etc. These knowledge systems have been developed over thousands of years and are deeply rooted in the Indian way of life. The IKS curriculum aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of these knowledge systems, their relevance in modern times, and their impact on various aspects of life.

What are the Sources of These Knowledge Systems?

The sources of Indian knowledge systems are diverse and come from various ancient texts and teachings. The Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, and other ancient Indian texts provide a wealth of knowledge and wisdom. Additionally, various Indian philosophers, spiritual leaders, and scholars have contributed to the development of these knowledge systems over time.

How do we go about making this curriculum engaging and meaningful for the learners?

To make the IKS curriculum engaging and meaningful for learners, it is important to design it in a way that encourages active participation and critical thinking. This can be done by incorporating interactive and experiential learning techniques such as role-plays, group discussions, field trips, and hands-on activities. Moreover, teachers must be trained to deliver the curriculum in an engaging and innovative manner that connects with the students.

In conclusion, the IKS curriculum is an important aspect of education in India as it helps students develop a more holistic perspective and fosters a deeper understanding of the world around them. The IKS curriculum provides a valuable opportunity for students to learn about ancient Indian wisdom and knowledge systems, their relevance in modern times, and their impact on various aspects of life. By making the curriculum engaging and meaningful, we can help students develop a lifelong appreciation for the rich heritage of India.