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Faculty: Mr. Gopi V Prasad

Bhagavad-Gita for the Beginner -Sodhana

Course content:

Bhagavad-Gita for the Beginner SODHANA course deals with the study of the meanings and commentaries of the 140 selected versus of Bhagavad-Gita grouped under 17 thematic topics. The ‘Gita Vidya Bhasya Sindhu’ is a collection of commentaries by various Acharyas on the Bhagavad-Gita, which will be made available to the Class participants. Students will compare the meanings, interpretations, and emphasis provided by any three different Bhashyas i.e. commentaries on the Bhagavad-Gita, and summarise their observations as part of active learning. Participants will share their observations and discuss the varied interpretations under the guidance of faculty during the interactive sessions. Students will be required to submit their compilation of various interpretations and their own findings in summary form for each module and present a final report at the end of the course.

The Sodhana course is carried out using Active, Interactive, and Collaborative ways of online learning. The course material for active learning is available in multiple languages. The interactive sessions are conducted online in English. These courses enable the students to memorize, understand, and apply the essential aspects of the divine wisdom imparted by Shri Krishna to Arjuna.

This course involves the documentation of word-by-word meaning (Artha Sangraha) followed by comparative study of the interpretations of 3 different acharyas/authors (Bhava Sodhana). A guided discussion of the student observations is carried out during online interactive classes. Participation to the online classes is vital as they facilitate deeper study of Bhagavad-Gita and its essence.

Artha Sangraha (Documentation of the word meanings) is carried out by the students in a specific form provided for download in the LMS. Students should take sufficient copies of these forms to carry on the documentation of word meanings manually for the 140 shlokas. These documents would serve as “Gita Vidya Nighantu” (dictionary) during the Sodhana process.
Bhava Sodhana (Exploration of interpretations) In this step the students will compare the interpretations of three different acharyas/authors of their choice. Students must get their choice of Bhagavad-Gita interpretations approved by the faculty before using them for Sodhana. The cumulative list of Bhagavad-Gita interpretations opted by all students is referred as ‘Gita Vidya Bhasya Sindhu’. It shall be mentioned on the course LMS for mutual reference.

Course Learning Objectives:

In this course participants will be able to:

  • Discover the interpretations from different commentaries on Bhagavad-Gita.
  • Gain a deeper understanding of the Bhagavad Gita by comparing and analysing the similarities and differences between the interpretations of various acharyas.
  • Comprehend the simultaneous co-existence of diverse understandings of the divine wisdom of Hindu Dharma, enshrined in its varied Sampradayas.

Class Structure

There will be a minimum of 1.5 contact hours with faculty every week. The classes are structured in a way that promotes discussion and debate based on self-study and reflection each week. While the content being discussed in each class will be concluded within 60 minutes, the discussion time will be free format and can continue for an additional 30 minutes maximum. During the course, students will be required to submit their reflections on each lesson. At the end of the Sodhana course, each participant shall submit a final report for the entire course.

Required / Elective: Elective

Prerequisites: – Must have completed the HSF 1004 Bhagavad-Gita for the Beginner – Sadhana Course

Faculty / Instructor:  Mr. Gopi V. Prasad

Time: 11:00 am EST – 12:30 pm EST

Day: Saturday

Start Date: January 15, 2022

End Date: March 19, 2022

Quarter Offered: Winter 2022

Bhagavad-Gita for the Beginner – DEHA

Course Content:

DEHA is the first of a three-course series titled, DEHA, GNANA and YOGA. The Deha course highlights the Material and Psychic aspects of the body. The Gnana course describes the Physical, Social, Occupational, Mental, Emotional and Spiritual dimensions of divine wisdom. The Yoga course explains the four paths of Yoga in Bhagavad-Gita.

The DEHA Course helps students to understand, explore and apply the divine wisdom of the Bhagavad-Gita in their own lives. It simplifies the learning process for the beginner using specially designed graphic workbooks, transliteration textbooks in multiple languages (12 Indian languages and 12 world languages) and guided audios, available in recitation and practice versions. The interactive sessions are conducted online in English. 

The Course is divided into 3 modules – Sadhana, Sodhana and Vaadana through which Students will acquire a thorough overview of Hindu Dharma and enrich the quality of their spiritual lives.

Sadhana: In this module students understand the verses in three steps.

Step 1: Shloka Rachana (Copy writing the shloka): In this step each verse is written in a language of choice by copying from the transliteration textbook. 

Step 2: Shloka Shravana (Listening to the verse): In this step the students will get to know the accurate pronunciation of each verse.

Step 3: Shloka Anucharana (Guided recitation): In this step students will learn the accurate pronunciation of each verse through guided practice. After this step the students would be able to independently practice the recitation using the guided chanting audios available online. 

Sodhana: In this module students understand the meaning of the shlokas in 2 steps.

Step 4: Bhava Darshana (Graphic illustration): In this step the meaning of the verse is explained through graphic illustration.

Step 5: Pratipada Artha (Word meaning): In this step the word by word meaning of the shlokas is translated from Sanskrit to English.

Vaadana: In this module the interpretations of different acharyas to the shlokas of each lesson are explored to gain deeper meaning and summarized by the students in about 500 words. A debate on contemporary issues and situations is held towards end of the course. During the debate the students shall apply their learnings from the course and present their remarks and recommendations by referring to the specific shlokas of DEHA course.

Course Learning Objectives:

In this course students will be able to:

  • Practice accurate pronunciation of the shlokas through guided chanting.
  • Discover the interpretations from different commentaries on Bhagavad-Gita.
  • Gain a deeper understanding of the Bhagavad Gita by comparing and analysing the similarities and differences between the interpretations of various acharyas.
  • Comprehend the simultaneous co-existence of diverse understandings of the divine wisdom of Hindu Dharma, enshrined in its varied Sampradayas.
  • Discover the foundations of Hindu Dharma from the Bhagavad-Gita.
  • Gain an overview of the Hindu Wisdom, and Hindu Pathways for spiritual growth.

Class Structure:

There will be a minimum of 1.5 contact hours with faculty every week. The class is structured in a way that promotes discussion and debate based on self-study and reflection each week. After the weekly class the students will be required to submit audio recordings of verses and complete online assignments with drag and drop type questions. 

Required / Elective: Elective

Prerequisites: N.A.

Faculty / Instructor:  Mr. Gopi V. Prasad

Time: 11:00 am EST – 12:30 pm EST

Day: Every Sunday

Start Date: January 16, 2022

End Date: March 20, 2022

Quarter Offered: Winter 2022

Gita Vidya Sadhana For Teens and Parents

Course Content:

‘Gita Vidya Sadhana – For Teenagers and Parents’ course provides an introduction to Bhagavad-Gita through 17 thematically structured lessons covering 140 key shlokas. With the guided practice audios for accurate pronunciation and graphic illustrations for easy understanding of the shlokas, this course is designed to match the learning needs of young minds. The course highlights the Physical, Social, Occupational, Mental, Emotional and Spiritual aspects of the Divine wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita. It presents four paths of yoga in Bhagavad-Gita. With online classes, interesting quizzes and learning activities every week this course is packed with information that will be stimulating and exciting for young people.

Course Description:

The ‘Gita Vidya Sadhana – For Teenagers and Parents’ is designed to encourage both teenagers and their parents (or their grandparents) to explore the Bhagavad Gita together. It will create new conversational spaces for families, which are interested in learning together, across the generations. The course will help participants to memorize, understand and apply the divine wisdom of Bhagavad-Gita. The participants can get an overview of Hindu Dharma and enrich their personality along multiple dimensions including the spiritual. This course is delivered using Active, Interactive and Collaborative models. It offers guided practice of shlokas followed by interactive discussion of their meaning. The course material for active learning is available in multiple languages. The interactive sessions are conducted online in English.

Class Structure:

The course will have 12 online classes spread across 6 weeks period. Each online class is for a duration of 90 minutes. The class is structured in a way that promotes discussion and debate based on self-study and reflection each week. This course deals with the study of the meanings and accurate pronunciation of 140 selected versus of Bhagavad-Gita grouped under 17 thematic topics. This course involves the introduction to verses ‘Shloka Parichaya’ and their practice ‘Shloka Sadhana’.

Shloka Parichaya (Introduction to the verse): Students understand the verses in two steps.

Step 1: Shloka Shravana (Listening to the verse): In this step the students will get to know the accurate pronunciation of each verse.

Step 2: Bhava Parichaya (Introduction to the meaning): In this step the meaning of the verse is explained through graphic illustration.

Shloka Sadhana (Practice of the verse): Students shall practice the verses in two steps.

Step 3: Shloka Anucharana (Pronunciation of the shloka): In this step the accurate pronunciation of each verse is practiced with the help of the Gita Vidya Practice Audio.

Step 4: Shloka Rachana (Copy writing the shloka): In this step each verse is written down by copying from the “Gita Vidya Sadhana Workbook”.

 

Required / Elective: Elective

Prerequisites: N.A.

Faculty / Instructor:  Mr. Gopi V. Prasad

Time: 11:00 am EST – 12:30 pm EST

Day: Wednesday and Sunday

Start Date: July 14, 2021

End Date: August 22, 2021

Quarter Offered: Summer 2021