# Education and Gurukula > [!summary] > *Vedic education differs fundamentally from modern education. Rather than merely acquiring academic degrees for economic gain, true education aims at self-realization and understanding one's relationship with the Supreme Lord. Children should begin spiritual training from the earliest age, ideally at the gurukula (school of the spiritual master), where they learn both practical skills and transcendental knowledge. The purpose of all learning is to understand Krishna and engage in His service.* ## The Purpose of Education ![[sb/7/6/1]] ![[sb/7/6/2]] ## Education Begins Early ![[sb/4/12/23#purport|p1]] ![[sb/7/6/1#purport|p1-2]] ## Beyond Academic Degrees ![[sb/4/16/17]] ![[sb/4/3/17#purport|p1]] ## Father's Duty to Educate ![[sb/6/5/25]] ## Spiritual vs. Material Education ![[sb/7/6/16]] ![[sb/4/29/50]] ## From the Spiritual Master ![[bg/2/20#purport|p2]] ![[bg/6/13-14#purport|p1]] ## Education in Kṛṣṇa Consciousness ![[sb/4/29/49]] ![[sb/7/10/45#purport|p1]] ## The Goal of All Learning ![[sb/7/6/26]] ## Modern Education's Deficiency ![[sb/1/1/10#purport|p1-2]] ![[sb/8/16/19#purport|p1]] ## Related Articles - [[wiki/articles/the-spiritual-master|The spiritual master]] — The essential guide - [[wiki/articles/the-disciplic-succession|The disciplic succession]] — Knowledge through parampara - [[wiki/articles/the-importance-of-guru|The importance of guru]] — Why we need guidance - [[wiki/compile/varnasrama-dharma|Varṇāśrama-dharma]] — Social organization for spiritual life ## From the Index - [[index/entries/education|Education]] — Full index entry - [[index/entries/brahmacari|Brahmacārī]] — Student life - [[index/entries/spiritual-master|Spiritual Master]] — The teacher - [[index/entries/knowledge|Knowledge]] — What to learn