About Our Unique Retreat

In the sylvan surroundings of the Hindu University of America campus at Pine Lake Retreat in Orlando, we welcome all for a four-day retreat focussed on “Śāstra immersion”. We will explore the inbuilt rigor in śāstric learning by diving into the Dhātupāṭha (verbal roots in Saṃskṛtam), experience the wonder of Vyākaraṇa (Sanskrit grammar), and realize the importance of a solid grammatical understanding and poetical insight as demonstrated in the close reading of the Rudram.

Poetry and Grammar pervade every aspect of the vedic vision – they reflect Truth and Beauty. This retreat is a journey into this vision.

Daily Schedule

Day 1: Thurs, Dec 11 – Welcome and Introduction

Time	Activity
12:30 PM	Lunch and Welcome
5:30 PM – 7:00 PM	Nimmajanam Parichaya Satram (Shastra Retreat Orientation)
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM	Dinner (dinner will be available until late)
8:00 PM – 9:30 PM	Rudra Paṭhanam 1

Day 2: Fri, Dec 12 – Recitation, Lectures, Games, Entertainment

Time	Activity
6:30 AM – 7:30 AM	Vedic Recitation 1
8:45 AM – 10:15 AM	Dhātu Pārāyaṇam 1
10:30 AM – 12:15 PM	Rudra Paṭhanam 2
1:30 PM – 2:15 PM	Interactive Games
2:15 PM – 3:30 PM	Dhātu Pārāyaṇam 2
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM	Dhātu Pārāyaṇam 3
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM	Rudra Paṭhanam 3
8:00 PM – 9:30 PM	Manoranjanam (Entertainment)

Day 3: Sat, Dec 13 –Advanced Study and Cultural Activities

Time	Activity
6:30 AM – 7:30 AM	Vedic Recitation
8:45 AM – 10:15 AM	Dhātu Pārāyaṇam 4
10:30 AM – 12:15 PM	Rudra Paṭhanam 4
1:30 PM – 2:15 PM	Interactive Games
2:15 PM – 3:30 PM	Dhātu Pārāyaṇam 5
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM	Dhātu Pārāyaṇam 6
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM	Rudra Paṭhanam 5
8:00 PM – 9:30 PM	Manoranjanam (Entertainment)

Day 4: Sun, Dec 14 – Closing Session & HUA Graduation Ceremony

Time	Activity
6:30 AM – 7:30 AM	Vedic Recitation
7:45 AM to 8:30 AM	Breakfast
8:45 AM – 9:45 AM	Dhātu Pārāyaṇam Conclusion
9:45 AM – 10:45 AM	Rudra Paṭhanam Conclusion
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM	HUA Graduation Ceremony (Not Mandatory)
12:00 PM	Lunch and check-out

Register Interest

Who can join?

Anyone with interest in learning the intricacies of Saṃskṛtam, based on it’s verbal roots
Anyone with interest in learning the word by word meaning of the rudram based on a firm grammatical founding
You can be a beginner to Saṃskṛtam, but should have an intense curiosity and desire to learn more about the language.

For any questions regarding accommodations and logistics please call HUA Admission's team at -
📞: +1 407 545 5057 or WhatsApp: +1 407-205-2828

Register for Retreat

The retreat fee includes accommodation, nourishing Sattvic vegetarian meals, and access to expert-led workshops, offering a comprehensive and rejuvenating experience. Note: Airfare to and from Orlando is not included.

Price range: $500.00 through $1,800.00

This course is currently unavailable for registration

Accomodation Type:

Price:

Clear

Retreat Highlights

Dhātupāṭha Overview & Pārāyaṇam – Learn the intricacies of the Dhātupāṭha and chant the dhātus in the 10 lakārās.
Rudram – Learn to recite the Rudram–Namakam and the meaning of the same from a grammatical perspective with reference to traditional commentaries (Sāyaṇa & Bhaṭṭa Bhāskara). This is a textual exploration of the Rudram with a focus on grammar – the mechanics of Sandhi, Accentuation, and Verbal roots at play in these mantras.
Saṃskṛta-sambhāṣaṇam (Conversing in Sanskrit).
Interactive games based upon traditions.

Sample of Rudram:

Mantra (with accent markings):

नमः॑। ते॒ । रु॒द्र॒ । म॒न्यवे॑ । उ॒तो । ते॒ । इष॑वे । नमः॑ ॥

namaḥ̂ . tè . rùdrà . mànyavê . ùto . tè . iṣâve . namaḥ̂ ..

Grammatical tagging:

हे रुद्र [mvs] ! ते[m6s] मन्यवे[m4s] उत उ ते[m6s] इषवे[m4s] नमः ।

Etymology:

रुद्र => रुत् / रुदं (दुःखं वा दुःखहेतुः)।तत् द्रावयति इति रुद्रः । (सायणभाष्यम् )
Rudra is the one who removes sorrow and/or the cause of sorrow.

Meaning: O Rudra ! Salutations to your anger and also to your arrow.

Our Faculty

Smt. Parvathi Sriram

Co-ordinator for Language and Sanskrit Studies Smt. Parvathi Sriram is a valued faculty member at Hindu University of America (HUA), focusing on Sanskrit Studies. Since 2018, she has been teaching Sanskrit with dedication, while also serving as a long-time instructor

Shri Haridas Radhakrishnan

Faculty – Community Education Division (Sanskrit Studies) Shri. Haridas Radhakrishnan is a Sanskrit Faculty at the Hindu University of America’s Community Education Division. His interest in Saṃskṛtam was reignited after attending a lecture by Swami Viditatmananda Ji of Arsha Vidya

Dr. Tanuja Ajotikar

Faculty – Community Education Division, Sanskrit Studies Dr. Tanuja Ajotikar is an accomplished scholar of Sanskrit linguistics and computational philology, specializing in Pāṇinian grammar, Sanskrit lexicography, and digital humanities. She holds a Ph.D. in Sanskrit Linguistics from the Indian Institute