Texts and Traditions

The Texts and Traditions (in Sanskrit called Shastra and Sampradaya) area is a collection of courses that take the student at HUA into a much deeper exploration of individual knowledge systems rooted in and emerging from Hindu thought. Hindu knowledge traditions refer to the knowledge, innovations, and practices of indigenous and local communities developed from experience gained over the centuries and adapted to the local culture and environment and transmitted both orally and through formal text-based teaching from generation to generation, across very long spans of time. Including courses on   Vedānta, Yoga, Āyurveda, Jyotiṣa, Vāstu, and Tantra, these courses allow students to develop a deep specialization in areas of interest to them.

The immersion in these knowledge systems, which include structured opportunities for study abroad, help students to not merely understand the authentic and original intent behind these traditions, but also investigate their content with a view towards assessing their significance for the communities that still preserve and sustain them, their relevance for our contemporary world, and the value they could hold for the future of humanity. This area of study also includes the exploration of the life and works of modern masters of Hindu Dharma, who have made an enormous impact on contemporary Hindu life and society. Students can immerse themselves deeply into the life of a single great Master, or survey a collection of masterworks, and their inter-relations.

Further developing the idea of Sampradāya i.e. tradition, this area of study explores the history and continuity of Hindu thought across the vast eons of time, from their Vedic roots to the ongoing unfolding of Hindu ideas, from a comparative and contemporary standpoint. It also enables research into the intersections and confluences where Hindu thought has migrated globally through the inspiration of these modern masters and movements, to generate new expressions and forms in non-Hindu societies and communities.

The Vedas: Texts and Ritual

TAT7303 – (MA/DHS/PhD) The Vedas represent the foundational texts of Hindu revelation (śruti) and serve as the cornerstone of the Read More

Sādhana Pañcakam

TAT1002 – Sādhana Pañcakam is a prakaraṇa text focusing on the means for liberation, mokṣa. It is attributed to Ādi Read More

Vaisheshika Darshana Part – 2

TAT3209 – Vaisheshika Darshana, founded by Maharṣi Kanāḍa, is one of the six major schools of Vedic philosophies. Often paired Read More

Vaisheshika Darshana Part – 1

TAT3208 – Vaisheshika Darshana, founded by Maharṣi Kanāḍa, is one of the six major schools of Vedic philosophies. Often paired Read More

Sankhya Darshana

HSF6004 – (DHS – Required Course) ‘Sankhya Darshana’ is one of the six major schools of Vaidika philosophies. It was Read More

Nyaya Darshana Part – 2

TAT3207 – This Course is the Second of the two-part course sequence that introduces Nyaya Darshana of Gautama Rishi systematically Read More

Dharmashastra

HSF7100 – (DHS – None) Dharmaśāstras are scriptural treatises that contain instruction on Dharma. This course will present sections of Read More

The Brahmasutras

HSF8000 – (DHS/PhD – None Course) In this course, students will be able to understand the scope and structure of Read More

The Bhagavata Purana

TAT7301 – (DHS – Core Course) Śrīmad Bhāgavatapurāṇam is one of eighteen Mahāpurāṇas of the Hindu textual tradition. It is Read More

Mahabharata IV: Dharma and Darshana

TAT7204 – (DHS/PhD – None) This is the fourth and final installment of our comprehensive series on the Mahābhārata. In Read More

Mahabharata III: The War Books

TAT7203 – (DHS/PhD – None) This is the third installment of a comprehensive four course series on the Mahābhārata. In Read More

Mahabharata II: Dicing and Exile

TAT7202 – The Mahabharata II part of a comprehensive four course series on the entire Mahābhārata. This course delves into Read More

Mahabharata I: The Beginning and End

TAT7201 – (DHS/PhD – None) This is the first part of a comprehensive four semester-course series on the entire Mahābhārata. Read More

IsA-vAsya Upanishad – The Three Vedantic Perspectives

TAT4003 – An overview of three commentaries on the IsA-vAsya Upanishad is the main topic of this course. IsA-vAsya Upanishad Read More

Adhyasa bhasya of Adi Sankara

TAT4000 – This course will unfold the adhyasa bhasya, considered perhaps to be the magnum opus of Adi Sankara. This Read More

Nyaya Darshana Part – 1

TAT3206 – This Course is the first of the two-part course sequence that introduces Nyaya Darshana of Gautama Rishi systematically Read More

Lalitha Sahasranama Stotram – Part 2

TAT1304 – Lalitha Sahasranama stotram is considered to be a sacred Hindu text from the Brahmanda Purana. This Stotra contains Read More

The Three Vedantic Perspectives on the Bhagavad Gita

TAT4002 – Hindu Thought provides for the simultaneous co-existence of varied perspectives on the nature of ultimate Reality. When developed Read More

Advaita, Visistadvaita, Dvaita – The three flavors of Vedanta Sastra

TAT4001 – Hindu Thought provides for the simultaneous co-existence of varied perspectives on the nature of ultimate Reality. When developed Read More

Vedantasara of Sadananda Part 2

TAT3204 – In this second part of the course, Students will inquire into some of the fundamental misunderstandings that have Read More

Vedantasara of Sadananda – Part 1

TAT3203 – In this Course, Students will inquire into some of the fundamental misunderstandings that have accumulated around the Advaita Read More

The History of Shastriya Sangeet

TAT3102 – Hindu Musical Traditions (Shastriya Sangeet traditions) are ancient and diverse. This course takes students on a guided tour Read More

Ragas in Shastriya Sangeet and Modern Music

TAT3101 – This course is the first in a 2-Course sequence in the Hindu Musical Traditions – Shastriya Sangeet. Hindu Read More

Bhaja Govindam – A Topical Approach

TAT1302 – In this course, students will learn Bhaja Govindam with its verses re-organized around some key topics. Read More

Across the Universe: Hindu Dharma and Western Creative Arts

TAT2100 – This course is both a celebration and a deep analysis of artists who opened Western eyes and ears Read More

Vishnu Sahasranama Stotram

TAT1301 – This course on Vishnu Sahasranama stotram, will prepare students to chant the slokas with clear pronunciation. And furthermore, Read More

Disease through the Lens of Ayurveda

TAT1102 – Ayurveda is a holistic and complete consciousness-based wellness paradigm that has its origins sourced straight from the timeless Read More

Ayurveda – The Wisdom of Wellbeing

TAT1101 – This foundational course is designed to make the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda accessible to everyone in simple and Read More

Introduction to the Dasashantimantras

TAT1001 – This course provides an immersive introduction to the Mantra and Chanting traditions of Sanatana Dharma, focusing on ten Read More

Understanding the Vedas

TAT3205 – The Vedas are known as the oldest books of wisdom of the world. They are the source texts Read More

Lalitha Sahasranama Stotram Part 1

TAT1303 – Lalitha Sahasranamam is considered to be a sacred Hindu text from the Brahmanda Purana. This Stotra contains 1000 Read More

Daksinamurtistotram by Adi Sankara

TAT3001 -  This course will unfold the Dakṣiṇāmūrtistōtram systematically verse by verse, drawing upon where necessary from Mānasōllāsa and Tattvasudhā, Read More

Sankhya Darshana through the Sankhya Karika – Part 2

TAT3202 - This Course is the Second of a two-part course series presenting an in-depth exploration of Sankhya Darshana (Philosophy) Read More

Sankhya Darshana through the Sankhya Karika – Part I

TAT3201 - This Course is the first of a two-part course series presenting an in-depth exploration of Sankhya Darshana (Philosophy) based Read More

Hindu Temples and Traditions

TAT3104 - Hindu temples and traditions occupy an important place in the Hindu mind, both in India and amongst the diaspora. The Read More

Indian and Western Music Traditions – A Comparative Study

TAT3103 - This course is the first of a three-part course sequence in the Hindu Musical Traditions – Shastriya Sangeet. Hindu Read More

Vālmīki’s Rāmāyaṇa

TAT7301 - Vālmīki’s Rāmāyaṇa is a classic story of human self-development focused on the relationship between the macrocosm (the kingdom) Read More