The Yogoda
Health Exhibitions at the Ranchi VIDYALAYA have been attended by
thousands.
Instruction in primary subjects is given in Hindi to the KOLS,
SANTALS, and MUNDAS, aboriginal tribes of the province. Classes
for girls only have been organized in near-by villages.
The unique feature at Ranchi is the initiation into KRIYA YOGA.
The boys daily practice their spiritual exercises, engage in GITA
chanting, and are taught by precept and example the virtues of
simplicity, self-sacrifice, honor, and truth. Evil is pointed out
to them as being that which produces misery; good as those actions
which result in true happiness. Evil may be compared to poisoned
honey, tempting but laden with death.
Overcoming restlessness of body and mind by concentration techniques
has achieved astonishing results: it is no novelty at Ranchi to
see an appealing little figure, aged nine or ten years, sitting for
an hour or more in unbroken poise, the unwinking gaze directed to
the spiritual eye. Often the picture of these Ranchi students has
returned to my mind, as I observed collegians over the world who
are hardly able to sit still through one class period. {FN40-4}
Ranchi lies 2000 feet above sea level; the climate is mild and
equable. The twenty-five acre site, by a large bathing pond, includes
one of the finest orchards in India-five hundred fruit trees-mango,
guava, litchi, jackfruit, date. The boys grow their own vegetables,
and spin at their CHARKAS.
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