MA in Sanatana Dharma

The MA in Sanatana Dharma program focuses on the study of foundational spiritual principles and cultural tenets of Hinduism, exploring vast oral and textual traditions that have evolved over centuries. The course aims to provide students with an in-depth understanding of key texts, philosophies, and practices within Hinduism, emphasizing the interconnectedness of various elements in Indian culture. Through a comprehensive curriculum comprising core and elective courses, students will engage with essential Hindu literature, ethics, and philosophy, while also connecting historical insights to contemporary relevance. Ultimately, the program seeks to foster appreciation for the complexities of Hindu thought and tradition.

advtanmoy 12/10/2024 7 minutes read

Over the millennium, the ancient seers and saints living across the river Sindhu made profound intuitive realizations of the eternal spiritual truth (satya), delving deep into the essence of existence itself. They visualized not just the core principles that govern the world but also the underlying interconnectedness of all beings, recognizing that these principles are the guiding forces responsible for both material and spiritual progress of every living entity. This intricate balance between the external world and inner life is encapsulated in the concept known as dharma, which serves as a moral compass for individuals navigating their journey through life.

In this regard, they expressed their wisdom in eloquent verses, illustrating how adherence to dharma leads to a harmonious existence, where every action aligns with the greater cosmic order. As articulated by Saṅkarācārya in his commentary on the Bhagavadgītā:

जगतःस्थिति कारणं प्राणिनां साक्षात्अभ्युदयनिःश्रेयसहेतुर्यः स धर्मः।

This encapsulates the essence of dharma as the very foundation for both the welfare and ultimate liberation of all beings in the cosmos.

The core and eternal principles known as the Sanātana dharma, the mighty edifice of the Indian civilisation, are manifested and transmitted both orally and textually within a variety of knowledge traditions and practices that have evolved over centuries. These traditions form the bedrock of an intricate cultural tapestry, illustrating the profound depth of wisdom that the Indian civilization has contributed to global intellectual heritage.

The study of such rich oral as well as textual traditions and practices is the kernel of Hindu study, highlighting the essential role that stories, rituals, and philosophical discussions play in understanding the essence of this ancient belief system. Different streams of Hindu studies intertwine like the branches of a single living tree, deeply rooted in the fertile soil of Indian culture, thought, ritual, and spirituality. This showcases the interconnectedness of various elements that define the Indian experience.

The course has been envisioned, designed, and structured by the Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, Prof. Sunaina Singh, whose vision aims to foster a greater appreciation for the complexities and nuances inherent in these studies. It is uniquely designed to grasp not only the rich spiritual but also the intellectual system of the Hindus – a distinctively interdisciplinary framework where the textual and the oral, the verbal and the visual, the scientific and the metaphysical, the transcendental and the functional are interlocked as parts of a whole. This approach encourages a comprehensive understanding of the diverse methodologies and perspectives that contribute to the richness of Hindu thought and practice.

Courses

Introduction to the Vedas: Ṛgveda, Yajurveda, Sāmaveda, and Atharvaveda
Introduction to Major & Minor Upaniṣads
Introduction to Itihāsa texts: The Rāmāyaṇa & the Mahābhārata
Introduction to Purāṇa texts: Viṣṇu Purāṇa, and Agni Purāṇa
Ethics in Hindu Philosophy
Fundamentals of Hindu Philosophy
The Bhagavadgītā and understanding of the ‘Self’
Puruṣārthas: Goals of Human Life
The Yogasūtra of Patañjali: Theory and Practice
Studying the Nāṭyaśāstra of Bharatamuni (first chapter)
Basic Tenets of Major Upaniṣads: Chāndogya Upaniṣad & Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad
Ancient Knowledge Tradition
Philosophy of Language: Introduction to Mahābhāṣya and Vākyapadīyam
Study of Pañcatantra
Poets & Philosophers of highest awakening
Capsules of Knowledge: Sūtra, Vārtika & Bhāṣya (Commentaries)
Study of Smrti texts: The Yājñavalkya Smṛti
The Arthaśāstra of Kauṭilya
Study of Vedanta Philosophy with Śaṅkarācārya, Rāmānujacārya, Madhvācārya and Sadānanda
Mastering Sanskrit Language
Seminar Course
Dissertation

Mandate

The two-year MA in Hindu Studies (Sanātana Dharma) will

Attempt to retrieve the resource pool of knowledge on Hindu dharma and its spiritual traditions.
Provide an overview of spiritual Hindu literatures and basic tenets therein.
Introduce the major and minor texts along with select fundamental commentaries.
Provide an opportunity to develop the specialization in any stream of Hindu Studies.
Foreground the relevance of the Hindu Studies in the contemporary changing world order.

Outcome of the Programme

A student with a MA in Hindu Studies (Sanātana Dharma) shall – Develop a good understanding of foundational principles underlying Hindu spiritual traditions and culture.

Course Curriculum

10 Core courses equivalent to 30 credits (3 X 10)
7 Electives equivalent to 21 credits (3 X 7)
4 Reading Seminar courses equivalent to 4 credits (1 X 4)
Dissertation equivalent to 9 credits

Total: 64 credits

Semester – I (Foundational Courses): 16 credits
4 Core Courses:(3 Credits Each)

Core Courses:

Introduction to the Vedas: Ṛgveda, Yajurveda, Sāmaveda, and Atharvaveda
Introduction to Major & Minor Upaniṣads
Introduction to Itihāsa: The Rāmāyaṇa & the Mahābhārata
Introduction to Purāṇa texts: Viṣṇu Purāṇa, Agni Purāṇa & Bhāgavata-purāṇa

1 Elective Course (3 Credits Each) (Students may choose one of the following

Sanskrit Language-1 (compulsory)
Ethics in Hindu Philosophy: Puruṣārthas, Varṇas and Āśramas
Tenets of Indian Philosophy: Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism
SHS/SLLH/SMS/SEES (Courses from other schools in the cafeteria model)
Critical Thinking (Extra Credit Course)

Seminar-I (1 Credit)

Semester – II (Bridge Courses): 16 credits

3 Core Courses: (3 Credits Each)

Fundamentals of Hindu Philosophy: Six Darśanas Sāṁkhya, Yoga, Nyāya, Vaiśeṣika, Mīmāṁsā & Vedānta
The Bhagavadgītā: the concept of Dharma, the path of Knowledge, devotion, and the idea of sthitaprajña
Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa: Textual and Thematic Study

2 Elective Courses: (3 Credits Each) (Students may choose two of the following)

Mastering Sanskrit Language (Level 2)
The Yogasūtra of Patañjali: Theory and Practice
Studying the Nāṭyaśāstra of Bharata: The Indian Tradition of Performing Arts

1 Seminar (1 Credit)

Semester – III (Advanced Courses): 16 credits
2 Core Courses: (3 Credits Each)

Core Courses

Tenets of Major Upaniṣads: Chāndogya Upaniṣad & Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad
Sources of Indian Knowledge Tradition: Sūtra, Vārtika & Bhāṣya (Commentaries)

3 Elective Courses (3 Credits each) (Students may choose three of the following

Mastering Sanskrit Language (Level 2)
Study of Vedānta: Śaṅkarācārya, Rāmānujacārya, Madhvācārya
Study of Pañcatantra: Capsules of Life Lessons
Indian Aesthetics- Rasa Theory
Indian Philosophy of Language: Introduction to Patañjali’s Mahābhāṣya and Bhartṛhari’s Vākyapadīya
Hindu Cosmology and Astronomy
SHS/SLLH/SMS/SEES (Courses from other schools in the cafeteria model)
Critical Thinking (Extra Credit Course)

1 Seminar (1 Credit)

Semester – IV (Specialised Courses): 16 credits
1 Core Course (3 Credits)

Core Course

Introduction to Dharmaśāstra: Selected portions from Gautama, Manu and Yājñavalkya

1 Elective Courses (3 Credits) (Students may choose one of the following

Select Major Thinkers of Ancient India: Brahmagupta, Āryabhaṭṭa, Varāhamihira Bhāskara, Bāṇabhaṭṭa and Abhinavagupta
Nāgārjuna and the concept of Śūnyatā
The Arthaśāstra of Kauṭilya
Sanskrit Language- 4
SHS/SLLH/SMS/SEES (Courses from other schools in the cafeteria model)

1 Seminar (1 Credit)
1 Dissertation (9 Credits)

Tags: Contemporary Sanatan Dharma Nalanda

MA in Sanatana Dharma

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