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Syllabus

Unit 1

An Introduction to the Principal Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita – Inquiry into the mystery of nature – Sruti versus Smrti – Sanatana Dharma: its uniqueness – The Upanishads and Indian Culture – Upanishads and Modern Science.

Unit 2

The challenge of human experience & problems discussed in the Upanishads – the True nature of Man – the Moving power of the Spirit – The Message of Fearlessness – Universal Man – The central problems of the Upanishads – Ultimate reality – the nature of Atman – the different manifestations of consciousness.

Unit 3

Upanishad Personalities – episodes from their lives and essential teachings: Yajnavalkya, Aruni, Uddalaka, Pippalada, Satyakama Jabala, Svetaketu, Nachiketas, Upakosala, Chakrayana Ushasti, Raikva, Kapila and Janaka. Important verses from Upanishads – Discussion of Sage Pippalada’s answers to the six questions in Prasnopanishad.

Text Books

Resources

  • The Message of the Upanishads by Swami Ranganathananda, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan
  • Eight Upanishads with the commentary of Sankaracharya, Advaita Ashrama
  • Indian Philosophy by Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, Oxford University Press
  • Essentials of Upanishads by R L Kashyap, SAKSI, Bangalore
  • Upanishads in Daily Life, Sri Ramakrishna Math, Mylapore.
  • Eternal stories of the Upanishads by Thomas Egenes and Kumuda Reddy
  • Upanishad Ganga series – Chinmaya Creations

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