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Hinduism Studies

Part I - Introduction

What is Hinduism? Meaning of ‘Hindu’ Meaning of ‘Sanatana Dharma’ Brahman & Rita Postulates & Objectives The Three Gunas The Four Varnas The Four Purusharthas The Four Ashramas The Web of Hindu Life Hindu World-view

Part II - Hindu Scriptures

Vedas (Types & Parts) Upa-Vedas Vedangas Upanishads Smritis Puranas

Part III- The Epics

Ramayana Mahabharata

Part IV - Philosophies & Related Texts

The Six Philosophies ⇒ Nyaya ⇒ Vaiseshika ⇒ Sankhya ⇒ Yoga ⇒ Purva Mimamsa ⇒ Uttara Mimamsa Prasthanatraya (Brahmasutra, Gita & the 10 classical Upanishads) The Interpretations of Mimamsa

⇒ Advaita & Mayavada ⇒ Dvaita-Advaita

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⇒ Vishishtha-Advaita ⇒ Shuddha-Advaita ⇒ Dvaita ⇒ Achintya-chinta Bhedaabheda Tantra and the Agamas (Kashmir Shaivism, Shaiva-Siddhanta,

Shakta-Advaita, etc.) Integral Yoga of Sri Aurobindo

Part V - Hindu Doctrines

Doctrine of Karma Doctrine of Re-incarnation Avatara-vada

Part VI - Hindu Esotericism

Brahma-tattva & Atma-tattva Cosmic Evolution (25 and 36 tattvas of Samkhya and Tantra respec-

tively) Vak and the Shabdatmak creation (Para, Pashyanti, Madhyama

and Vaikhari) Naada-Bindu-Kala Matrikas (including a discussion of the Beeja mantras) Hamsa Tattva Pranava tattva Kundalini Chakras Nadis Pranas Gayatri Mantra Mantras of the Deities Yogic Methods of Sadhana (Mantra Yoga, Laya Yoga, Hatha Yoga,

etc.) Guru Tattva & Deeksha Approaches towards Sadhana (the steps and bhavas of Jnana,

Bhakti, Karma and Yoga) Part VII - The Deities

Vedic Gods & Goddesses The Triads The Forms of Shakti Ganesha Avatars of Vishnu

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Other Deities Part VIII - Rituals and Their Meanings

The concept of Yajna or Sacrifice The Vedic Yajna The Puja General features (Asana shuddhi, Bhoota shuddhi, Dhyana Mantras,

Avahana, Upacharas, Viniyoga, Visarjana, etc.) The Ten Samskaras The Pancha Yajnas The Festivals and their significances

Part IX - Hindu Psychology (Much more needs to added to this section)

Pancha Koshas Antahkarana The 3 states of the Mind (Jagrata, Svanpna & Sushupti) Trigunas (Sattva, Rajas, Tamas) The 5 Kleshas of Patanjali The 6 Ripus (kama, krodha, etc.) Personality types - the 4 temperaments (Jnana, Bhakti, Karma,

Yoga) Hindu influence on Western Psychology

⇒ Jnana-Iccha-Kriya Cognition-Affection-Conation ⇒ Chakra Hierarchy Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs theory

Part X - Hindu Sects

Major sects & their sub-sects ⇒ Shaiva ⇒ Shakta ⇒ Vaishnava ⇒ Smarta ‘Non-Vedic’ sects & their sub-sects (Buddhist & Jaina) Sikh Arya Samaj Others (Udaasi, Natha, Bairagi, Baul, etc.) Dashanami Sampradayas of Sannyasins

Part XI - Hinduism vis-à-vis Christianity & Islam

Theologies and historical developments of Christianity and Islam A Comparative Study of the theologies and practices