श्रद्धावान् लभते ज्ञानं
When we were students, teachers were not merely individuals who imparted education. They were our guides in life, our moral compasses, and respected figures in society. Even today, when I think about the amount of respect and honour given to teachers in those days, my heart fills with emotion.
The moment a teacher entered the classroom, all of us would stand up and greet him with a respectful "Namaskar." This wasn't just a routine—it was an expression of the deep respect and admiration we held in our hearts for our teachers. That simple utterance, “Namaskar, Sir,” came from the deepest corners of our soul. For us, the school was like a temple, and the teacher was akin to a priest.
That respect wasn't confined to the classroom alone. Even outside the school—whether in markets, on the streets, or in a bus—if we saw a teacher, we would respectfully fold our hands in greeting. If we were riding a bicycle and saw a teacher, we would get off the bicycle and show our respect. These were values we had learned from our parents at home. We learned many such lessons from our family, culture, and the environment around us.
In our time, we also feared our teachers. Fear, not in a negative sense, but in one, born of deep respect. Corporal punishment was still prevalent in schools in our time. Often, a mere glance from the teacher was enough to make us feel remorseful. That remorse taught us to seek forgiveness, because gradually we came to realize the deep truth of a verse from the Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 4): - "Śraddhāvān labhate jñānam"—He who has faith and reverence attains knowledge.
"Śraddhāvān labhate jñānam tat-paraḥ saṁyatendriyaḥ"— this verse means, one who shows respect and reverence towards their guru (teacher), and has control over their five senses (eyes, ears, nose, skin, tongue), is truly capable of attaining knowledge. It is essential that parents at home teach their children a culture of respect and honour for elders and teachers. If we truly wish to prepare students to be worthy of receiving knowledge, then parents must guide them with moral values from the very beginning at home.
Sadly, in today’s times, I often find myself engulfed in sorrow, witnessing the fading bond between teacher and student. In our time, we didn’t have smartphones, but our education system was rich in sincerity and warmth. Teachers were regarded as second parents. But now, that deep sense of reverence seems to be waning. This shift appears to stem from social media, evolving family perspectives, and various societal influences.
Limitations in discipline, excessive parental interference, and, in some cases, irresponsible behavior by teachers have all contributed to the decline in this sacred relationship. This is a matter of grave concern because the essence of education lies in the deep, mutual connection between teacher and student. Society, education policy-makers, parents, and teachers must come together to reflect and rebuild this bond.
If a teacher truly wishes to earn the respect of students, they must first open the door of unconditional affection. When intelligence, integrity, and dedication are combined with warmth and measured discipline, only then will a student begin to genuinely honour and respect their teachers.
