Course Content

This course provides an in-depth study of the Nārāyaṇīya, a 19-chapter (12.321-339) theological tract that represents the climax of the Mahābhārata’s revelation. Throughout the course, we will engage in a meticulous reading of each chapter, verse by verse, with a focus on the overall structure of the text, the arguments presented in each chapter, and the purport of each verse.
Key terms and concepts will be discussed in detail, clarifying their relationships to various philosophical schools. We will trace connections between significant Vedic texts, including the Puruṣa and Nāsadīya sūktas of the Ṛg Veda, the Nārāyaṇasūkta of the Taittirīya Āraṇyaka, and selected passages from the Upaniṣads. Additionally, we will explore the relationship of the Nārāyaṇīya with adjacent texts in the epic, such as the Śukacarita and Uñcavṛtti-upākhyāna, as well as its broader context within Mokṣadharma. Finally,we will show how later texts such as Bhāgavatapurāṇa interpret the theology presented in Nārāyaṇīya.

Through a close reading of the Nārāyaṇīya, students will engage with key concepts such as saguṇabrahman, the personal and manifest aspect of the divine, and the various vyūhas (emanations) of Nārāyaṇa, which illustrate the complexity of divine manifestation in Hindu theology. The course will also examine the concept of avatāras, focusing on the incarnations of the divine and their implications for understanding divine intervention in the world. In addition to these theological themes, the course will delve into the practices associated with Nārāyaṇa worship, including japas (mantras), stutis (hymns of praise), and the significance of pilgrimage in the context of Nārāyaṇa’s worship. Students will analyze the iconography associated with Nārāyaṇa and his avatāras, exploring how visual representations contribute to the understanding of divine attributes and narratives. The course will employ a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating textual analysis, historical context, and comparative studies with other religious traditions.

This course is designed for graduate students in religious studies, theology,and South Asian studies,and it will encourage critical thinking and scholarly engagement with one of the most important texts in Hindu tradition.

The course will follow the translation of the Critical Edition of this text by Vishwa Adluri, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of its theological significance and philosophical implications.