A Vision of Siddhanta Knowledge Foundation
Introduction
The world needs a comprehensive framework to structure human endeavor towards a life of harmony, power and fulfillment for all. The unprecedented explosion of humanity’s material knowledge without a proper understanding of human nature and purpose is resulting in insurmountable challenges that threaten its own long-term sustainability. While numerous civilizations have accumulated knowledge of the world, Bharat offers a comprehensive framework that can guide humanity to wield that knowledge for sustainable evolution.
The need of the hour is to provide humanity with such a perspective. Education must be enriched with Bharatiya driShTi / perspective combined with the latest civilizational knowledge from all parts of the globe. This perspective must address the following questions of humanity:
- Who am I ?
- Why do I exist ?
- What is the world?
- How do I relate to the world?
- How do I relate to the society?
- What is valid knowledge?
- How to produce valid knowledge?
- How to achieve fulfillment?
SKF Approach to IKS Education
SKF courses present Indic knowledge in a way intelligible to western educated audience. They present shaastric concepts with modern equivalents to enable easy comparison and integration. As a result, they groom the next generation of innovators leveraging Bharat’s intellectual heritage.
SKF’s Differentiating Factors in IKS Education
In order for Bharatiya Vijnan to offer a comprehensive knowledge system for the future, SKF adopts the following principles in its approach to IKS education:
- Descriptive as opposed to prescriptive presentation: We believe that people are intelligent enough to adopt a practice once they are convinced about its rational coherence.
- Bharatiya driShTi in addition to shaastra knowledge: We present the author’s thought process behind a treatise.
- Concept based as opposed to text-based pedagogy: To empower the student in recontextualizing Indian knowledge for modern conditions, we bring out the concepts of a text in logical sequence.
- Fidelity to traditional interpretation: We adhere to shaastriya pramaanas when interpreting texts, as they have been curated over centuries of debate.
SKF Activities in IKS
SKF activities related to IKS happen in 3 dimensions.
- Siksha/Education: We offer contextually relevant courses in IKS for mainstream audience from school to university level.
- Shodha/Research: We conduct multi-disciplinary research to seamlessly integrate indigenous and western knowledge to influence mainstream professions such as management, humanities, design, architecture etc. We make the output available as scientific models for incorporation into full-length degree programs.
- Sandhaan/Technology: We develop technologies that make Bharatiya knowledge accessible, intelligible and consumable to spur innovation and industry impact. Examples include digitization, knowledge repositories, shaastra based tools and services.
Classification of Knowledge
There are multiple ways to classify knowledge based on the purpose. The Indic Knowledge System (IKS) itself offers several schemes as outlined below.
- Based on the object under study: knower, known and knowing
- Based on knowledge sources: chaturdasa vidyasthanas – 4 Vedas, 6 Vedangas, 2 itihasas, puranas, kavyas
- Based on the utility in Governance: trayii, aanviikshakii, vaarta, dandaniiti
- Based on how knowledge is produced: Vedas, darshanas, shaastras, kalas, saahityam
Western knowledge can be classified in 2 ways:
- Based on the extent of systematization: dogma, belief, arts/skills, humanities, sciences
- Based on maturity of pedagogy: Practices (engineering, skills), Methods (technology), Principles (science)