*By Dr. Devan

Human memory has always been the greatest instrument of civilization. Long before libraries, search engines, and digital archives, knowledge lived only in the human mind—protected, preserved, and passed on through the immense power of memorisation. Today, in a world overloaded with information and distractions, we often forget this simple truth: the only way to achieve true, instantaneous, and unshakeable mastery—what we call eidetic knowledge—is byheart learning.

Eidetic Knowledge: What It Truly MeansEidetic knowledge is not mere recollection; it is total internalisation. It is the ability to recall, apply, and recreate knowledge effortlessly, with clarity and precision. When a fact, verse, or concept is merely “known,” it can fade with time. But when it is byhearted, it becomes part of the mind’s living memory—accessible instantly, without effort, at any moment.

This is why great thinkers, philosophers, and spiritual masters could deliver discourses for hours without notes. Their knowledge wasn’t stored outside—they carried it within.

The Great Universities Knew ThisLong before the modern world discovered memory techniques, the ancient Indian universities of Nalanda and Takshashila perfected them. Their educational systems were not based on textbooks as we know them. There were no PowerPoints, no laptops, no printed notes. What existed was the sacred discipline of internalisation.

Students memorised:

ScripturesPhilosophical treatisesMedical textsAstronomical calculationsGrammarLogic and debate structuresEven complex works like Panini’s Ashtadhyayi or Ayurvedic compendia were committed fully to memory. A single student could hold thousands of verses in perfect sequence, with commentary. This was not accidental—it was the very method of learning.

Why Memorisation Was Central to Nalanda and Takshashila1. Because true knowledge must be portableA scholar often travelled for months—through forests, mountains, and kingdoms. Books were rare; scrolls were fragile. The mind therefore became the safest library.

2. Because memorisation strengthens comprehensionContrary to modern belief, memory does not oppose understanding—it enhances it. When information is permanently available in the mind, connections form automatically. Creativity blossoms from mental abundance, not mental emptiness.

3. Because internalisation builds intellectual confidenceThe ability to quote, recite, and apply knowledge flawlessly gave scholars an unshakeable sense of authority. It built thinkers who were disciplined, focused, and mentally powerful.

4. Because debate required precisionNalanda and Takshashila were centres of debate. Students had to defend viewpoints in real time. You cannot debate effectively if you need to “search.” Byheart learning ensured instant recall.

Modern Education Has Forgotten ThisToday’s learning depends heavily on:

ScreensNotesGoogleShort-term crammingWe know about many things, yet understand few and remember almost none. Attention has collapsed, and true depth has vanished. The result is a generation that can access information but cannot hold it.

Byheart Learning: The Only Path to Mental GreatnessTo develop an eidetic mind:

Memorise core concepts, not just skim them.Repeat until recall becomes spontaneous.Engage in mental rehearsal.Speak, write, and re-teach what you know.Transform information into lived memory.This is not old-fashioned. It is the foundation of intellectual excellence.

Nalanda and Takshashila Were Not Just Universities—They Were Mind-ForgesTheir brilliance came from a simple philosophy:

Knowledge is sacred only when carried within you.Byheart learning was not a method; it was the culture.

And today, it remains the only path to true mastery.

When you internalise knowledge, you are not learning—you are transforming.You are converting information into wisdom.You are forging a mind that is sharp, dependable, and luminous.

This is the legacy of our ancient universities.This is the secret of every great scholar in history.And this is the message:

Byheart is not one method of learning.It is the only method that creates an eidetic mind.

*Dr. Devan is a Mangaluru-based ENT specialist and author.

Hindusthan Samachar / Manohar Yadavatti