Vedānta Kārikāvalī is a primer on Viśiṣṭādvaita Vedānta composed by Bucci Veṅkatācārya. The book, as the name suggests, elucidates the principles of Viśiṣṭādvaita Vedānta through kārikās, a metrical form of literature. It contains 10 chapters that elaborate the pramāṇa and prameya of this system of Vedānta.
The text has been published by the Adyar Library, edited by Pandit V.Krishnamacharya with his own commentary in simple Sanskrit, as well as an English translation. In this course, the kārikās will be explained along with the Sanskrit commentary.
The text contains ten chapters, as follows –
- Pratyakṣa (Perception)
- Anumāna (Inference)
- Śabda (Verbal Testimony)
- Prakṛti (The Primary Matter)
- Kāla (Time)
- Nityavibhūti (The eternal world)
- Dharmabhūtajnāna (The attributive knowledge)
- Jīva (Individual Soul)
- Īśvara (Supreme Soul)
- Adravya (Non-substance)
Objectives of the Course
1. To understand the basic principles of Viśiṣṭādvaita Vedānta
2. To compare and contrast the same vis a vis other systems from an academic perspective so as to understand and appreciate the depth of thinking of our ancestors in general.
3. To place the learners on a higher pedestal so that they become capable for higher studies in Viśiṣṭādvaita philosophy.
1. Who is this course meant for?
The course is meant for all interested learners, who wish to gain a foundation in Viśiṣṭādvaita Vedānta.
2. Do I need to know Sanskrit to attend this course?
Knowledge of Sanskrit is preferred, so that you can get the best out of the text and commentary. Knowledge of common terms of Vedānta and tarka may also be beneficial. However, the entire text and commentary will be explained in English, so you can attend even if you do not know Sanskrit. You will pick up the relevant Sanskrit terms during the lessons.
3. I am a beginner and do not know anything about Viśiṣṭādvaita Vedānta. Can I attend this course?
Absolutely. This course is meant to introduce vedāntic aspirants at the beginning level to the foundational aspects of this philosophy.
4. What is the fee for this course?
This course is absolutely free! The only things you need to invest are your interest and commitment to attend the classes regularly and śraddhā towards the scriptures.
5. What is the language used in the classes?
The interaction will be predominantly in English, interspersed with Sanskrit.
The course will be taught by Dr. Sreeram Jaganathan.
- Equipped with traditional study (Kālakṣepam) of śrivaiṣṇava philosophy, and also possessing a PhD in comparative analysis of the different streams of vedānta
- Experience in teaching Sanskrit, Śrivaiṣṇava texts and Nyāyaśāstra
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Students can download the text of Vedāntakārikāvalī from this link. Slides and other materials will be uploaded in the portal after the classes.
This is the only course that went over the bhashya word by word. Also, Dr. Sreeram Jaganathan gave us the contextual background knowledge for us to fully appreciate the content. In all my Sanskrit learning, this course closest to true learning of the Sanskrit Texts as it all the needed factors. The text with bhashya, a proficient Acharya, and the students interested in knowing the essence of shastraic thought. The terms Brahman, Ishvara, pramANam, real versus unreal, Apta or the shabda, as means of knowledge are in frequent use. Only through this course one can learn the evolution of thought in the context of these terms.
Manju
Dr. Sriram took us on a wonderful journey of Vishishtadvaita philosophy.
Jayanthi Venkat Chari
