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.
Shiva Tandava Stotram
TAT1307 – This course offers an in-depth exploration of the Shiva Tandava Stotram, a profound Sanskrit hymn traditionally attributed to Read More
Upadeshasara of Ramana Maharshi – Part 1
TAT3214 –This course is the first in a two-part series offering an in-depth study of Upadeśa Sārah by Ramana Maharshi, Read More
Tattvabodha Part – 2
TAT3213 – This course is the second in a two-part series offering an in-depth study of Vedanta Darshana through Śrī Read More
Tattvabodha Part – 1
TAT3212 – This course is the first in a two-part series offering an in-depth study of Vedanta Darshana through Śrī Read More
Glory of Manas Sundarkand – 2
TAT1306 – The second part of this two-part course dives into the devotional, philosophical, and heroic themes of Sundarkand, the Read More
Glory of Manas Sundarkand -1
TAT1305 – The first part of this two-part course dives into the devotional, philosophical, and heroic themes of Sundarkand, the Read More
Introduction to Manusmriti – Chapter 1: Origins of Dharma and Creation
TAT3000 – This course offers a focused exploration of Chapter 1 of the Manusmriti (also known as the Manava Dharmashastra), Read More
Kenopanishad with Shankar Bhashya
TAT4004 – This course is the first part of the two-part course on Kenopanishad with Shankara Bhashya and offers a Read More
Mimamsa Darshana Part – 2
TAT3211 – Mimamsa Darshana Part 2 is an in-depth course, forming the Second segment of a two-part series, delving into Read More
Mimamsa Darshana Part – 1
TAT3210 – Mimamsa Darshana Part 1 is an in-depth course, forming the first segment of a two-part series, delving into Read More
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
Sadhana Panchakam
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 – (MA/DHS/PHD Course) ‘Sankhya Darshana’ is one of the six major schools of Vaidika philosophies. It was founded by 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 – (MA/DHS/PHD Course) Dharmaśāstras are scriptural treatises that contain instruction on Dharma. This course will present sections of the Read More
The Brahmasutras
HSF8000 – (DHS/PhD Course) In this course, students will be able to understand the scope and structure of the Brahmasūtras, 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
The Three Vedantic Perspectives of Ishavasya Upanishad
TAT4003 – An overview of three commentaries on the IsA-vAsya Upanishad is the main topic of this course. IsA-vAsya Upanishad Read More
Adhyasa Bhashya of Adi Shankara
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 Sahasranamam – Part II
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
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. Read More
Singing Bhakti Music: From Saints to Synthesizers
TAT2200 – This course will provide students a practical introduction to the musical tapestry of Bharat through instruction of songs 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
Sri Ramcharitmanas: Continuity in Change
TAT1201 – This course explores the Ramcharitmanas, an epic poem composed in the sixteenth century in Ayodhya, North India, some 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 Dasa Shanti Mantras
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 Sahasranamam – Part I
TAT1303 – Lalitha Sahasranamam is considered to be a sacred Hindu text from the Brahmanda Purana. This Stotra contains 1000 Read More
Dakshinamurti Stotram by Adi Shankara
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 1
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
Valmiki’s Ramayana
TAT7302 - Vālmīki’s Rāmāyaṇa is a classic story of human self-development focused on the relationship between the macrocosm (the kingdom) Read More