Human Values in Vedic Darsana

Introduction to Vedic Darśana and Nyāya Darśana (Philosophy of Indian Logic and Reasoning) Introduction to Vedic literature, need to study Vedic Darśana; its origin and subject matter. Introduction to Nyāya Darśana, 16 padārthas (pramāṇa, prameya, saṃśaya, prayojana, dṛṣṭānta, siddhānta, avayava, tarka, nirṇaya, vāda, jalpa, vitaṇḍā, hetuābhāsa, chala, jāti, nigrahasthāna) paṃcāvayava prakriyā (pratijñā, hetu, udāharaṇa, upanaya, nigamana).

Vaiśeṣika Darśana (Philosophy of Matter) Introduction to Vaiśeṣika Darśana, definition of Dharma, abhyudaya, niḥśreyasa; 6 padārthas (dravya, guṇa, karma, sāmānya, viśeśa, samavāya) – their definition, characteristics and relationship; nitya-anitya; cause-effect relationships; dṛṣṭa-adṛṣṭa karma phala; mindful dāna; śucitā-aśucitā; reasons of rāga-dveśa, avidyā, sukha-duḥkha, etc. and how to get rid of them.

Sāṃkhya-Yoga Darśana (Philosophy of Spirituality) Sāṃkhya Darśana- Puruṣārtha, the nature of Puruṣa and Prakṛti, 24 elements of Prakṛti, bondage and salvation (liberation), the principle of satkāryavāda, triguṇātmaka prakṛti.Yoga Darśana- the steps of Aṣṭāṃga yoga (yama, niyama, āsana, prāṇāyāma, pratyāhāra, dhāraṇā, dhyāna and samādhi) and the challenges in following them, afflictions (kleṣa)- avidyā, asmitā, rāga, dveṣa, abhiniveśa, different types of vṛttis (pramāṇa, viparyaya, vikalpa, nidrā, smṛti), the process of nirodha of vṛttis; maitri, karuṇā, muditā, upekṣā; description of yama, niyama, āsana and praṇayāma; kriyāyoga– tapa, svādhyāya and īśvara-praṇidhāna; different steps of samādhi, different types of saṃyama, vivekakhyāti, prajñā. Vedanta Darshan Vedanta Darshan- Nature of Brahma and Prakriti, Methods of Upasana; adhyasaand sanskar; nature of Atma, description of existence, principle of karma-phala, description o pancha kosha, different nature of paramatma/brahma, Ishwar, Four qualifications (Sadhan chatushtay).

Upaniṣad and Vedanta Darśana (Philosophy of God) Introduction to Upaniṣads and Vedanta Darśana; Īśopaniṣad – Idea of renouncement, Karma Yoga, balance of Vidyā-Avidyā and Prakṛti-Vikṛti; Tattirīyopaniṣad – Different names of the God and their meaning, parting message of Guru to the graduating student (Śikṣāvallī), Nature of Brahma and Prakṛti, Methods of Upāsanā; Nature of Ātmā, Description of existence, principle of karma-phala, description of paṃca kośa, nature of mukti , process and way to achieve it, antaḥkaraṇa-śuddhi, different characteristics of paramātmā/brahma, Īśvara, Four qualifications (Sādhana-catuṣṭaya)

Purpose and Program for a Human Being based on the Vedic Darśana The purpose and program of a human being living on the basis of the Vedic Darśana, clarity and practice of human values and human conduct, the natural outcome of such a program on society, nature and tradition. Vedic system of living in a society - the idea of vratas and varaṇa (freedom of choice with commitment), Varṇa System, Āśrama System, Paṃca Mahāyajṇa, 16 Saṃskāras, etc.