Please hold your breath, here is a professional Ayurveda course already being launched by Acharya Mahanidhi and that too from the very first standard! Yes, you have read it right as it's literally no exaggeration at all and the gentleman who has come out with such an unimaginable idea of introducing the age-old ancient practice is just in his early thirties! It may look too difficult for you to believe, but, yes it's a fact.
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| Acharya Mahanidhi |
An ardent disciple of Pejavara Swamiji: Acharya Mahanidhi, born on 21-08-1988 to Ms Radha and Madhwachar A. Satenahalli in Ballary happened to be an ardent disciple of Sri Vishwesha Teertha Swamiji of the Pejawar Mutt specializing in the traditional Gurukula form of education. He studied with the seer for 11-12 years and started specialising in Ayurveda and Natyashastra. However, the major part of his study was on dedication to 'Bhootvaidya', construed to be a major part of Ashtanga Ayurveda.
Author of more than 25 books: He informs of having penned more than 25 books, which he stresses to be very rare and hitherto topics never discussed in Ayurveda. But, most of these manuscripts are yet to take shape in the form of printed versions. A book on 'Nadi guhya' is being published is under print. As of now, he's hopeful of getting the remaining books also printed in the new future.
Kalpatantra Vaidya Gurukula: Acharya Mahanidhi has set up the Ayurveda Vaidya Gurukula this year to impart education in Ayurveda and Sanskrit right from childhood with an ambitious goal of making them Ayurveda doctors along with formal education. The Kalpatantra Vaidya Gurukula is to be based out of Jammu in the state of Jammu and Kashmir and intends to admit eight students every year.
Studied technology for years: Although Acharya Mahanidhi never underwent any formal education, he says-"I was a student of Pejawar Swamiji in Sanskrit with Vedic background for more than a decade, in a typical Vedic call. Later, I worked on technology-related subjects for more than eight years. Again, for almost the whole last decade, I have been working on Ayurveda-related topics...
...No other option other than developing Ayurveda: In a way, my entry into Ayurveda by itself is astonishing. One of my cousin brothers is an Ayurvedic doctor. It so happened that, once he pondered over some of his doubts about Ayurveda in Sanskrit for which I responded in the simplest manner possible. He was awe-struck and wondered about the austere way the subject can be dealt with. It was then, that it flashed to me that if a scholastic person so studious happens to have so many doubts then what about the average ones having no background in Sanskrit? At this stage, I decided that I should do something within Ayurveda rather than from outside as the need was to develop the students of Ayurveda and there was no other option...
...Bhoota Vidye study is not superstitious as portrayed: And developing from within is also meant to enhance the skill sets of Ayurveda students. Hence, I began extensive studies about Ayurveda. I concentrated upon Bhoota Vidye, an unusual subject but thoroughly neglected for study purposes. Among the eight inherent subjects of Ayurveda, it happens to be the most vital one yet deprived of the proper significance it deserves. And there is also a reason behind such negligence as it has been banned under the Act of 1954 as a measure to curb superstitious practices but, in reality, it's not superstition. But, the way it has been projected is to portray that all the pujas and rituals practised in this context are related to Black magic.
Classes for more than 2,000 doctors: Recalling his background of taking up Ayurveda as a mission, Acharya Mahanidhi explains-"Once, I got convinced that scientific methodologies involved for doing poojas led to desired results and not the other way round, the urge to continue the scientific temperament heightened. In due process, I also started taking classes for Ayurveda doctors and so far I have taken classes for 2,000 Ayurveda doctors...
...While interacting with most of these doctors, many interesting things came to light. Among 100 students more than 50% stated that they opted for Ayurveda because they did not get seats. And few realised later and started practising Ayurveda. Around 25% are traditional practitioners. So the actual Ayurveda practitioner's strength is around 50%. Going by this adverse development and even assuming if at all I were to preserve Ayurveda with the help of such doctors the mission would only be disillusioned".
Eight students every year: He revealed his plan to overcome hurdles on the way-"I envisaged a vision of absorbing only eight students every year and taking care of their accommodation, food and everything imparting Ayurvedic education right from the first standard. All these students will be part of the National Institute of Open School (NIOS) concept until the 12th standard and they will be entitled to undertake a Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) course later.
Gurukul began from Dharwad: Speaking on the origin of his Gurukul, Acharya Mahanidhi revealed-" To start with I began my Gurukul from Dharwad and later shifted it to Mysuru. But, after undergoing the advantages and disadvantages I have now decided for shifting the same to Jammu. As of now, we have two students from North India and the immediate target is to enhance the strength to eight for this year. The tendency in the North is to send their wards elsewhere for education and am expecting more number of them from the same region. However, I love to have students from the state as I have done all my research for the last 10-12 years in Kannada and would love to have some kids from here too. Let me hope so.
Everything from self dedicated to Gurukul: Asked about the faculty, Acharya Mahanidhi stated-"Presently me and my wife Dr Shagun, a BAMS graduate are the only faculty members for the strength of eight which is too minimal for any institution. Regarding funds, both of us are contributing everything which can be called our earnings so far. We are not saving anything for ourselves nor do we intend to charge anything like fees from the prospective students. However, we are open to receiving items like food grains, pulses, vegetables and other essential goods required for running a Gurukul. In fact, this is nothing extraordinary we are venturing into as we are only following the footsteps of our Guru Pejavar Swamiji in the way he used to run the Gurukul.
NIOS students also have a bright future: To queries about the fate and future of the students being educated through the NIOS pattern of learning, he assured-"There is nothing like registration Students can get enrolled from anywhere as they log in from their individual accounts. There are students after schooling from the NIOS have also become MBBS and MD doctors, become IAS officers and have become reputed artists. NIOS is also equivalent to CBSC and the objective was to reach those in remote areas who have not benefitted from the scheme.
-Manohar Yadavatti
The very concept of introducing Ayurveda in the manner described herein is a sort of stranger than fiction. Very informative article.
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