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An Overview of the Veda

HSF5003 – The Vedas are the oldest body of sacred knowledge known to man. A bird’s eye view of the four Vedas, its structure and the various components, branches, classifications, and subclassifications will be mapped out.  An overview of the entire corpus of the Vedic knowledge including its corollary and ancillary disciplines will be presented. The purpose, structure, methodology and hierarchical classification of the Veda will be elucidated. Students will investigate the central themes of the Vedas, and how those ideas continue to remain relevant and permeate present-day Hindu life.

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Course Code: HSF5003

Credit Hours: 3

Course Level: 500

HSF5003 – The Vedas are the oldest body of sacred knowledge known to man. A bird’s eye view of the four Vedas, its structure and the various components, branches, classifications, and subclassifications will be mapped out.  An overview of the entire corpus of the Vedic knowledge including its corollary and ancillary disciplines will be presented. The purpose, structure, methodology and hierarchical classification of the Veda will be elucidated. Students will investigate the central themes of the Vedas, and how those ideas continue to remain relevant and permeate present-day Hindu life.

Registration for this course is not open yet

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Description

The Vedic-view of the purpose of life as explained by the four puruṣārthas – Dharma, Artha, Kāma, and Mokṣa will be discussed. An overview of the four Vedas, each consisting of the two major categories, which are further subdivided into different portions, the arrangement of the mantras into mandalas and aśtaka systems, internal classifications of each Veda into Samhitā, Brāhmana, Āraṇyaka, and Upaniṣads will be covered. The Veda’s structural hierarchy and purpose, and supplementary texts of the Vedic corpus such as – Sūtra – Bhāṣya – Vyākhyā – Ṭīkā – Ṭippaṇī – Prapaňcikā – Saṅgraha – Kārikā – Vṛtti – Vārtika – Prakaraṇa – Vāda – Khaṇḍana, including an overview of the six Darśanas will be examined, in addition to the differences between śruti and Smṛti

In this course students will be able to:

  1. Recognize the whole Vedic body of knowledge and its layout.
  2. Understand the inter-relationships of the various components of the Vedic corpus.
  3. Inquire into the concept of human progress in relation to the timelessness of ancient Vedic knowledge.
  4. Explore the relevance of the Vedic body of knowledge in today’s age.
  5. Examine contemporary views and interpretations of the Veda.

Areas of Study: Hindu Studies Foundations

Required / Elective: Required

Prerequisites: Admission into a program of Study

Faculty:  Sri Swāmi Svātmānanda

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