Description
Course Content:
This module covers the Mahābhārata’s reception in the Bhāgavatapurāṇa and in the textual basis of lived Hinduism, especially the Pañcarātra tradition, which links the Mahābhārata with Āgama texts and temple worship. The literary tradition including poets such as Bhāsa, Kalidāsa, Rājaśekhara as well as the aesthetic tradition of Abhinavagupta will be covered. This module will also explore the popular reception of the epic through performing arts, retellings, and dramatic adaptations.
The chief readings will include the last portion of Śāntiparvan (Nārāyaṇīya) and Anuśāsana parvan from the Mahābhārata. No previous coursework is necessary, however, a knowledge of Sukthankar’s On The Meaning of the Mahābhārata is required. The course involves a detailed reading of the above sections of the Mahābhārata, and a discussion of the main philosophical themes contained in them.
Course Learning Outcomes:
At the end of this course, Students will be able to:
1. Interpret texts carefully and rigorously
2. Analyze their literary form, structure, context and nuance
3. Correlate lived Hinduism with its textual tradition
4. Research secondary sources
5. Construct an argument in their own language.
Course Requirements:
1. The course will be conducted in a seminar format, please see point 4 below.
2. Attendance is mandatory. If you miss more than one session, your grade will suffer. If you miss two sessions, you will have to retake the course for a grade. Videos of classes will be provided, but this is not a substitute for attendance. HUA values real-time interaction between teachers and students. Thus, the “video” option is only for emergencies.
3. An online session is exactly like a classroom session., so proper etiquette is expected. Please make sure you secure a quiet place with access to the online session. Please switch off your phones. Do not eat during the class (drinking water, tea or coffee is permitted). Make sure you have access to a camera: if you switch off your camera, you will be marked absent. We will take a 10-minute break halfway through each session.
4. Please keep up with the required reading. This will facilitate participation in discussions. It will also help you get the most out of the course.
5. Each student is required to “adopt” two portions of the text, summarize, and present the material in class. All students will participate in discussion of these presentations.
Textbooks:
The main text we will read exhaustively is the Nārāyaṇīya section of the 12 th parvan: Śāntiparvan and the Anuśāsanaparvan. Since the Critical Edition has not been translated, we will read the Ganguli translation, which is available online. I highly recommend investing $ 200 for M.N.Dutt translation of the entire epic in 9 vols. It has some typographic errors, but it gives the Sanskrit verses and translations, and it is easy to collate that with the digital Critical Edition file. I will provide the CE translations of the other readings listed above in the form of pdf-scans.
Grading:
There will be three short response papers 10-points each; 20 pts for chapter summaries; and 50 pts for a final paper. Think of this paper as a TERM paper, and work on it throughout the semester. You will pick one section of the materials covered in class and write a commentary on it. (50 pts)
PS: HUA now provides you with writing guidance at our new Writing Center. Please make use of it.
Areas of Study: Text and Traditions
Required/ Elective: Required
Prerequisites: Must have completed Orientation to Hindu Studies and admission to program of studies
Instructor: Dr. Vishwa Adluri
Day:- Every Saturday
Start Date:- July 16, 2022
End Date:- September 24, 2022
Time:- 10:00 am EST – 1:00 pm EST
Quarter: Summer 2022
