# Discussion about New Vrindavan Gurukula

*Discussion about  New Vrindavan Gurukula Type: Conversation Dated: December 24th 1969 Location: Boston Audio file: 691224D2-BOSTON.mp3*

**Prabhupāda:** ...form a committee from education in your...

**Hayagrīva:** Erm, they have to be taught reading, and for this they have primers.

**Prabhupāda:** Primary readings.

**Hayagrīva:** And this is all right to use?

**Prabhupāda:** Because we haven't got any books such.

**Hayagrīva:** What about taking the primers and changing the names of the people to people like Satyabhāmā and give them spiritual names. Would that be nice?

**Prabhupāda:** Yes.

**Devotee:** *Hari-nāmāmṛtam.*

**Prabhupāda:** Yes.

**Hayagrīva:** All right. Arithmetic should be taught?

**Prabhupāda:** Arithmetic? Yes. That is necessary.

**Hayagrīva:** What about any history? World history or American history, or American literature or English literature?

**Prabhupāda:** American history. That's all. They are Americans. They should learn American history. Don't bother much.

**Hayagrīva:** Any Indian history?

**Prabhupāda:** Indian history, that... *Bhāgavata* is all right.

**Hayagrīva:** *Bhāgavata... Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam?*

**Prabhupāda:** That Kurukṣetra battle. That's all. And there are many other stories in the *Bhāgavatam.* They are all historical.

**Hayagrīva:** What about literatures? When they get older, of course. This would be for when they are older.

**Prabhupāda:** Literature, we have got so many. *Bhagavad-gītā, Śrīmad-Bhāgavata.*

**Hayagrīva:** Any English literature, American literature, English literature?

**Prabhupāda:** Yes. Any... Some of the English literature, recognized.

**Hayagrīva:** Any of the sciences at all?

**Prabhupāda:** I don't think we require any science. What do you think?

**Hayagrīva:** Biology?

**Kīrtanānanda:** No.

**Hayagrīva:** No. Geology, zoology, astronomy.

**Prabhupāda:** Biology, you can teach them the evolution of the species from *Padma-Purāṇa,* 8,400,000's, one after another. Yes.

**Hayagrīva:** What about astronomy? Anything like that? No. Okay. Any animal husbandry they can learn out there. Animal husbandry they will learn...

**Prabhupāda:** That they will learn practically, cow-keeping.

**Hayagrīva:** At what age should they be taught to cook *prasādam*?

**Prabhupāda:** Yes.

**Hayagrīva:** At what age should they be taught to cook?

**Prabhupāda:** After twelve years.

**Hayagrīva:** After twelve. And you think they can be taught typing, for instance? A skill like typing and how to use a typewriter?

**Prabhupāda:** Does it require all? Well, just this knowledge is required.

**Kīrtanānanda:** Whatever is practical.

**Hayagrīva:** And the only other... Oh, how old should they be before Deity worship, they do Deity worship?

**Prabhupāda:** Just after ten years.

**Hayagrīva:** After ten years? Then they can do Deity worship?

**Prabhupāda:** Yes.

**Hayagrīva:** That's Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa Deity worship.

**Prabhupāda:** Any Deity. Or worship Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa.

**Hayagrīva:** Well, the boys are keeping Deities now, aren't they?

**Kīrtanānanda:** Yes.

**Hayagrīva:** He said after ten.

**Prabhupāda:** No, they are keeping as plaything now, not they are regularly worshiping.

**Kīrtanānanda:** He means in the temple they can officiate, do *ārati* and things...

**Prabhupāda:** Yes.

**Hayagrīva:** Oh, I see. So from just very small they can keep Deities.

**Kīrtanānanda:** Yes. As small as they want to.

**Hayagrīva:** And you suggested... I have it written down somewhere. You suggested a certain number of hours for their school, about five hours or four hours a day, or...

**Prabhupāda:** Three hours in the morning, two hours in the evening. That's all. Not at a stretch. Morning, evening. And in the noon they should take their *prasādam,* take little rest.

**Hayagrīva:** Because our literatures are a little difficult to read, see they have to...

**Prabhupāda:** Yes. You have to make some suitable literature.

**Hayagrīva:** Something... When they can do that, then they can read *Bhagavad-gītā.* They try a little, but it's very difficult to begin.

**Prabhupāda:** No.

**Hayagrīva:** They cannot begin.

**Prabhupāda:** Yes. [end]