MA in Sanatana Dharma | Nalanda University Syllabus (2023-2024)

MA in Sanatana DharmaSanatana Dharma Eternal principle. The word used in the Veda to give a sense of eternity, sruti (श्रुतिः), is identified as the eternal principle in the Atharva Veda. The follower of Sruti is called Sanatan Dharmin. Westerners identified Sanatan Dharmins as Hindu. Sruti took the form of the entire universe. Sruti is called Brahma. He who can conceive the Brahma is called Brahman. 

Over the millennium, the ancient seers and saints living across the river Sindhu made profound intuitive realizations of the eternal spiritualSpiritual Inspirational or inspired, energetic, motivated. It is all about earthly potency. It can not be translated as Adhatmya in Sanskrit. 'Christian Spirituality' means being motivated by Christian ideas. An airy or thin, like invisible earthly matter, is also called Spiritual. "Take and receive my spirit" means take courage from me, or just blowing wind from one's mouth. truthTruth Mathematical 'truth' may not be agreeable with the philosophical 'truth.' A question may be asked on propositional 'truth' on the grounds of physics, that space and time actually don't exist. Vedic injunction Satyam Param Dhimahi, technically Satya is none other than Brahman. For Madhymic Buddhists there is nothing as such to be called 'truth', as all the corresponding facts are only mental projections. Apart from Bio-neuroelectricity nothing exists for Biological Cognition. So-called religious truths are nothing more than a marketing strategy. (satya), delving deep into the essence of existence itself. They visualized not just the core principles that govern the worldWorld Κόσμος 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 dharmaDharma धारणाद्धर्ममित्याहु: धर्मो धारयते प्रजा: | यस्याद्धारणसंयुक्तं स धर्म इति निश्चय: ||  [Mahabharata, 69.58 (Karna Parva)] Jurisprudence is Dharmaniti (धर्मनीति). धर्मशास्र are the regulating texts. Dharmatattva (धर्मतत्त्व) is the philosophical side. Dharma is eternal therefore it is Sanatan Dharma. धर्मादेश (Dharmadesa) means Court order/decisions. धर्म विधि (dharma vidhi) - Legal Digests (such as Mitakshara).  Anthem of Sanatan Dharma : ॐ संगच्छध्वं संवदध्वं, सं वो मनांसि जानताम् । समानो मन्त्र: समिति: समानी, समानं मन: सहचित्तमेषाम् । समानी व आकूति: समाना हृदयानि व: | समानमस्तु वो मनो यथा व: सुसहासति || (Rigveda,10/191/2-3). Adhyatma (अध्यात्म) is loosely the spiritual/divine side of Dharma. Check:  Achar (आचरति/Physical discipline), Bichar (Mental discipline ), Sanskar ( Vedic Tradition)., which serves as a moralMorality Mental frame. It can be high morality or low morality, savage morality or civilised morality or Christian morality, or Nazi morality. Decent Behaviour is acceptable norms of the nations. Christian morality starts with the belief that all men are sinners and that repentance is the cause of divine mercy. Putting Crucified Christ in between is the destruction of Christian morality and logic. Now morality shifted to the personal choice of Jesus. What Jesus did is 'good'. The same would be the case of Ram, Krishna, Muhammad, Buddha, Lenin, etc. Pure Human Consciousness degraded to pure followership. There exists no proof the animals are devoid of morality. 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।

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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 IndianIndia Hind/ hend >hindia. Bharat Varsha (Jambudvipa used in Mahavamsha) is the name of this land mass. The people of this land are Sanatan Dharmin and they always defeated invaders. Indra (10000 yrs) was the oldest deified King of this land. Manu's jurisprudence enlitened this land. Vedas have been the civilizational literature of this land. Guiding principles of this land are : सत्यं वद । धर्मं चर । स्वाध्यायान्मा प्रमदः । The place also been called Hindusthan in Pesia. The word Hendu is mentioned in Avesta. Read more 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 heritageHeritage Parampara: Shastra (One have to understand it), Tantra (Technique, one have to learn it), Vidya (Specific Knowledge system come down through family Line) and Kala (Unique contemplation of the above three).

The study of such rich oral as well as textual traditions and practices is the kernel of HinduHindu הִנְדּוּאָה (hinĕḋẇʼáh), ινδουϊσμός: Hend  (Hendu). The establishment of a satellite state of the Ghaznavid Empire (capital: Lahore) in the Punjab (first half of the 11th century) was known as Hindustan—a geographical name given by the Persians, who came to visit Bharatvarsha (​हिन्दुस्तान). Asadi’s Garsasp-nama, expeditions to Hend and Sarandib (Sri Lanka) have been featured. Sanatan Dharma is the actual Dharmic tradition of the Hindus. People who live in Hindusthan are Hindu (The word is an original word), whether they follow Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Mahavira, or Nanaka. In this way, Tribals are also Hindu. Indian sword (šamšir-e hendi in zaḵm-e hendi). Anbar-e hendi (India perfumes) by Farroki. Ebn Battuta (Toḥfat al-noẓẓār fi ḡarāʾeb al-amṣārwa ʿajāʾeb al-asfār: ca. 1330) first mentioned 'Hindu Kush.' 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, thoughtThinking Human beings began conscious thought as far back as sixty million years ago. By around three hundred thousand years ago, humans inhabiting the Indian subcontinent had developed forms of cognition comparable to those of the modern age, including awareness of competition, defense, and collective security. These early communities were capable of abstract observation, such as counting stars in the night sky, and engaged in reflective discussion about everyday experiences, including the flavors and qualities of food, indicating a sophisticated mental and social life., ritual, and spirituality. This showcases the interconnectedness of various elements that define the Indian experienceExperience εμπειρία.

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 VedasVedas Samhita: Rigveda, Samveda, Yayurveda (Shukla and Krishna), Atharvaveda. Commentary: Rig, Atharva, Shukla Yajurveda, Krishna Yajurveda. Total Manta: 20,380: 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 AgniAgni अग्नि पु० अङ्गति ऊर्द्ध्वं गच्छति अगि—नि नलोपः | त्रिविधः अग्नि > भौमः दिव्यः जाठरश्चेति भेदात् । Similar: वैश्वानरः  वह्निः  वीतिहोत्रः  धनञ्जयः कृपीटयोनिः ज्वलनः जातवेदाः  तनूनपात् तनूनपाः  वर्हिःशुष्मा वर्हिः  शुष्मा  कृष्णवर्त्मा  शोचिष्केशः उषर्ब्बुधःआश्रयाशः  आशयाशः  वृहद्भानुः कृशानुः  पावकः अनलः  रोहिताश्वः  वायुसखा  शिखावान् शिखी आशुशुक्षणिः  हिरण्यरेताः  हुतभुक्  हव्यभुक्  दहनः  हव्यवाहनः  सप्तार्च्चिः दमुनाः  शुक्रः  चित्रभानुः  विभावसुः  शुचिः अप्पित्तं  वृषाकपिः  जुहूवालः  कपिलः पिङ्गलः अरणिः अगिरः पाचनः  विश्वप्साः  छागवाहनः कृष्णार्च्चिः  जुहूवारः उदर्च्चिः  भास्करः  वसुः शुष्मः हिमारातिः  तमोनुत् सुशिखः  सप्तजिह्वः  अपपारिकः  सर्व्वदेवमुखः । Rigveda (1.1.1) “अग्निमीले पुरोहितम्”| It is the 'First Principle'. It invokes the mystery of the Deity. It is पुरोहितं/Priest, देव (The Deity) and initiator of the Yajna. Vedic offerings can be made through him only. Science: Rapid oxidation of a material (Flame=mixture of reacting gases and solids emitting) Purāṇa
• Ethics in Hindu PhilosophyPhilosophy Metaphysics (Matter), Epistemology (knowledge of knowledge), Ethics (Sense of Good or Bad), Logic ( structure of reasoning) > Philosophers: Plato Aristotle Aquinas Locke Marx  Hume Mill  Kant Wittgenstein Descartes Nietzsche Sartre. Disciplines:  Philosophy of Law. Philosophy of Feminism. Philosophy of Religion. Philosophy of Science. Philosophy of Mind. Philosophy of Literature. Political Philosophy. Philosophy of the Arts. Philosophy of History. Philosophy of Language. Theology Vs Philosophy
• Fundamentals of Hindu Philosophy
• The Bhagavadgītā and understanding of the ‘Self’
• Puruṣārthas: Goals of HumanHuman Ο άνθρωπος (Humanum> Homo sapiens) मानव:. We have failed to consider the minimum need to be a 'human'. For Christians, human beings are sinful creatures, who need some saviour. For Evolution biology a man is still evolving, for what, we don´t know. For Buddhist Nagarjuna, the realisation of having a human body is a mere mental illusion. We are not ready to accept that a human is a computer made of meat. For a slave master, a human person is another animal, his sons and daughters are his personal property.             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 & PhilosophersPhilosophy Metaphysics (Matter), Epistemology (knowledge of knowledge), Ethics (Sense of Good or Bad), Logic ( structure of reasoning) > Philosophers: Plato Aristotle Aquinas Locke Marx  Hume Mill  Kant Wittgenstein Descartes Nietzsche Sartre. Disciplines:  Philosophy of Law. Philosophy of Feminism. Philosophy of Religion. Philosophy of Science. Philosophy of Mind. Philosophy of Literature. Political Philosophy. Philosophy of the Arts. Philosophy of History. Philosophy of Language. Theology Vs Philosophy of highest awakening
• Capsules of Knowledge: Sūtra, Vārtika & Bhāṣya (Commentaries)
• Study of Smrti texts: The Yājñavalkya Smṛti
• The Arthaśāstra of Kauṭilya
• Study of VedantaVedanta End of Suffering. वेदान्तशास्त्रम्. The last part of Vedic Samhita Books (Isha Upanishad). Bhikshu Sutram (Brahma Sutram of Badarayani) was written to resolve conflicting issues in multiple Upanishads (10). शास्त्रम् to heal pain. Buddhists also seek to stop pain. Life is painful, and following the teachings of Buddha is the cause of the cessation of Pain (Vedana), for Sankara Maya is the cause of this manifested world and the human body, hunger, etc. Sankar and Goutama both ask for food at Noon. Krishna Vhakti (मदनुग्रहात्) is the summary Vedanta for ISKCON (Reader of Gita and Bhagavatam) and like people. Philosophy with Śaṅkarācārya, Rāmānujacārya, Madhvācārya and Sadānanda
• Mastering SanskritSanskrit It is the oldest living language and civilizational mark. The language of Rig Veda or Atharva Veda (10000 years old) is a pre-Sanskrit Vedic language. It has its own Pratisakhya (Grammar) and Nirukta (Vocabulary).  40% of Tamil is Sanskrit. Before the written form, it was in the form of oral tradition. Such is the case of  Six Kanda Ramayana. Before Valmiki, it was in Oral form. Sanskrit has been the language of  Jambudvipa. The mother tongue of Sunok, Vasistha, Viswamitra or grandparents of  Zarathustra (Resource person of Abrahamic Religions) was the language of Rig Veda. The legend goes that the origin of Sanskrit is the sky, therefore, it is called Deva Bhasa. 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 ThinkingThinking Human beings began conscious thought as far back as sixty million years ago. By around three hundred thousand years ago, humans inhabiting the Indian subcontinent had developed forms of cognition comparable to those of the modern age, including awareness of competition, defense, and collective security. These early communities were capable of abstract observation, such as counting stars in the night sky, and engaged in reflective discussion about everyday experiences, including the flavors and qualities of food, indicating a sophisticated mental and social life. (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, YogaYoga An ancient Indian system (Codified by Patanjali ) of practices used to balance the mind and body through exercise, meditation (focusing thoughts), and control of breathing and emotions. Yoga (योगश् चित्तवृत्तिनिरोधः) is being studied as a way to relieve stress and treat sleep problems in cancer patients. "हिरण्यगर्भो योगस्य वक्ता नान्यः पुरातनः", 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 IndiaIndia Hind/ hend >hindia. Bharat Varsha (Jambudvipa used in Mahavamsha) is the name of this land mass. The people of this land are Sanatan Dharmin and they always defeated invaders. Indra (10000 yrs) was the oldest deified King of this land. Manu's jurisprudence enlitened this land. Vedas have been the civilizational literature of this land. Guiding principles of this land are : सत्यं वद । धर्मं चर । स्वाध्यायान्मा प्रमदः । The place also been called Hindusthan in Pesia. The word Hendu is mentioned in Avesta. Read more: 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)

Read more :

• Encyclopedia of Sanatana Dharma by Tanmoy Bhattacharyya
• Rishis will Reinstitute the Sanatan Dharma if Diluted (SB 8/14/4)
• Madan Mohan Malaviya on Sanatan Dharma
• The place of Purans in Sanatan Dharma
• Es Dhammo Sanatana (Therefore it is called Sanatana Dharma-1st Lecture by OSHO)
• Sanatana Dharma Versus Prophetic Creeds-Sita Ram Goel
• All Puranas are fake and written by greedy people and Europeans to defame Sanatana Dharma