Foundations of Hindu Theology
Exploring Vedānta and Bhakti
Recent Webinar: Saturday, May 31st, 2025, 9am PT / 12 Noon ET / 9:30pm IST
About the Webinar:
Step into the heart of Hindu theology in this thought-provoking webinar where devotion meets philosophy, and ancient scripture meets contemporary inquiry.
Anchored in the Nārāyaṇīya, a profound theological section of the Mahābhārata, this session will explore timeless concepts such as saguṇabrahman, bhakti, and mokṣa, and trace how this text became a cornerstone for classical Hindu thought across Vaiṣṇava, Śaiva, and Śākta traditions.
Discover how the Nārāyaṇīya bridges the metaphysical elegance of the Upaniṣads with the vibrant narratives and rituals of the itihāsa-purāṇa tradition. Whether you’re a curious seeker, an academic, or someone exploring the philosophical depths of Hinduism, this session offers a rare opportunity to engage with the theological frameworks that have shaped centuries of devotional and intellectual life.
Meet HUA Core Faculty Members Dr. Vishwa Adluri and Dr. Joydeep Bagchee, preview the upcoming course, and learn how this classical text continues to illuminate modern understandings of Hindu theology.
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About the Panelists
Dr. Joydeep Bagchee
Dr. Joydeep Bagchee is a core doctoral faculty member at the Hindu University of America and holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy from the New School for Social Research. His areas of expertise include Continental philosophy, German Romanticism, philology, and the Western reception of Indian thought. He is the co-author of The Nay Science: A History of German Indology (Oxford University Press), a pioneering critique of the field of Indology.
Dr. Bagchee has also contributed significantly to Mahābhārata studies through his co-authored works Philology and Criticism and Argument and Design. He has taught at institutions such as TU Dresden and LMU Munich, and at HUA, he leads the “History and Method” concentration at HUA, fostering a rigorous yet respectful approach to Hindu knowledge systems.
Dr. Vishwa Adluri
Dr. Vishwa Adluri is a core faculty member at the Hindu University of America and a professor of philosophy at Hunter College, New York. Holding PhDs in Philosophy (New School for Social Research, New York), Indology (Philipps University, Marburg), and Sanskrit (Deccan College, Pune), he is widely recognized as a leading scholar of the Mahābhārata. He is the author of multiple acclaimed works, including The Nay Science (Oxford University Press) and has received several prestigious awards, including the Government of India’s Distinguished Indologist Award for the year 2019.
Dr. Adluri leads HUA’s “Texts and Traditions” area of study and brings deep expertise in Indian and Greek philosophy, Vedānta, and the epics.
Course Offered by Panelist
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Hindu Theology
HSF6000 – (MA/DHS/PHD) This graduate-level course offers an in-depth exploration of the Nārāyaṇīya, a systematic theological text within the Mahābhārata. The articulation of saguṇabrahman, bhakti, and mokṣa in this text serves as a foundational document for classical Hinduism in its various sectarian forms whether Vaiṣṇava, Śaiva, or Śākta. The Nārāyaṇīya is significant not only for its theological insights but also for its role as a textual bridge between the Upaniṣadic traditions and the theological, philosophical, and ritual dimensions of the itihāsapurāṇa. By examining the Nārāyaṇīya’s theological contributions, students will gain insights into the development of Hindu thought and practice, as well as the text’s enduring influence on subsequent religious literature and cultural expressions.
Recent Webinars / Speaks by Faculty
Panelist in News
Dr. Vishwa Adluri receives the Indologist Award from the Govt of India
Dr. Vishwa Adluri, a distinguished scholar at the Hindu University of America, was awarded the prestigious Distinguished Indologist Award by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations for his contributions to...
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