There is a famous quote in the Vedas that says sa vidya ya vimuktaye: Knowledge is that which leads one from suffering to freedom. This simple statement lays the foundation of a good education system. As such, if the current education system is not bringing about peace, freedom from fear and anxiety, good health, prosperity and happiness in the society, there is something fundamentally wrong with it.

The reason that the modern education system has not delivered its desired results lies in its essential purpose: it is an outgrowth of the Western era of industrialization--a factory-style framework that aims exclusively to maximize economic development with little regard for the environment and for the personal growth of the individual.

In contrast to this, the classical Indian education system was founded on principles of dharma, which while addressing material prosperity, focused primarily on self-discipline and maintaining balance in society and with the environment. Each student understood his unique nature and was guided closely by caring teachers who instilled in him the ultimate lesson: that the world should be seen as a single interdependent unit, and should be considered as one large family (vasudha eva kutumbakam). It was because of this holistic approach in the past that India made advancement in every field, be it arts, technology, sciences, and business, and became the world’s largest economy as recent as 400 years ago. READ MORE

Sri Satyanarayana Dasa Babaji already delivers regular lessons on transcendental topics at the Jiva Institute premises in Vrindavan. Still, seeing the undesirable outcome of the modern education system, the founders of Jiva Institute strongly feel a need to create an institution of learning that will re-establish the essential principles found in India’s traditional approach to education. By doing so, we will directly address the root cause of the world’s problems, and will create solutions that begin with shaping a complete individual--helping him understand who he is, what is his role in the world, and how he can create a sustainable life, family, community, society and planet.

Jiva University is a proposed educational institution of higher education that will offer an array of degree and non-degree courses rooted in the traditional sciences and knowledge systems of India. These programs will not only provide students with the knowledge and skills that will contribute to their successful professional readiness and placement, but that will also equip them with a sense of responsibility toward society and the environment.

Jiva University will be the first in modern times to be based truly on the Indian paradigm. The vast majority of higher educational institutions have been built upon Western conceptual models, which has created a distorted view of Indian culture and philosophy. With an Indian framework at its core, Jiva University will enable Eastern topics--as well as Western topics--to be studied from this indigenous perspective.

The university aims to achieve the highest possible standards that will enable it to be on par with the top academic institutions internationally. We will engage world-class faculty members to teach as well as to perform research on a wide range of topics across all disciplines, and in doing so, create the world’s premier destination that balances both the East and West--and which produces students who bring balance to themselves and the world.

If there is a fastest and most effective way in which to address these problems, then this is it. We have tremendous faith in the capability of humanity, and in the power of these great traditions. Through Jiva University, we will bring together the greatest minds of India and internationally, and inspired by this incredible indigenous wisdom, we will engender a new paradigm for social, economic, and environmental sustainability for generations to come. READ MORE

We welcome you to get in touch with us to be involved in the Jiva University project. There are many ways you can do so. These include:

1. Planning to teach courses with us

2. Curriculum design and development

3. Architectural planning, design, and implementation

4. Landscaping and development of permaculture on the campus

5. Conducting talks and seminars in your area on our short-term courses and about Jiva University

6. Establishing tie-ups between Jiva and other universities and institutions of learning

7. Connecting us with professors and researchers interested in our concepts

8. Creating awareness through events and online means

9. Helping in fundraising

Contact Information

For more information about Jiva University, please contact Kajal Chauhan at kajal@jiva.com or by phone at +91-9818466448.