Bhakti-śāstrī Deluxe

This is an intensive and rigorous study program that follows the standard ISKCON Bhakti-śāstrī curriculum along with all of Prabhupāda’s small books by Śrīla Prabhupāda published during his manifest presence:

“In addition the brahmanas should study carefully, especially Gita, Isopanisad, Nectar of Devotion and Nectar of Instruction as well as all the small paperbacks. Soon we will have yearly examinations for brahmanas based on these books and those who pass will be awarded Bhakti-sastri titles.” (Letter to Locanananda, 10 Jan 1976)

Starting on 23 Oct 2022
Ending on 3 Jan 2023
On-site at Rameswaram
Available online too
Medium of Instruction: English
Fee: Dakṣiṇā — pay what you want

The course will comprise of ten units with a study of the following books:

1. Īśopaniṣad
2. Bhagavad-gītā (Dedication, Preface, Introduction, Chapters 1 to 6)
3. Bhagavad-gītā (Chapters 7 to 12)
4. Bhagavad-gītā (Chapter 13 to 18)
5. The Nectar of Instruction
6. The Nectar of Devotion (Dedication, Preface, Introduction, Part 1)
7. The Nectar of Devotion (Parts 2 to 4, Conclusion)
8. Kṛṣṇa Consciousness: The Topmost Yoga System; Elevation to Kṛṣṇa Consciousness; Rāja-vidyā: The King of Knowledge
9. Beyond Birth and Death; On the way to Kṛṣṇa; Kṛṣṇa Consciousness: The Matchless Gift
10. Easy Journey to Other Planets; Perfect Questions, Perfect Answers; Perfection of Yoga; Transcendental Teachings of Prahlāda Mahārāja; Kṛṣṇa: The Reservoir of Pleasure

Additionally, there will be an overview of Nārada-bhakti-sūtra.

Teachers:

Vidvān Gaurāṅga dāsa: Bhagavad-gītā

Bhāvagrāhī Nandanandana dāsa: Īśopaniṣad; Kṛṣṇa Consciousness: The Topmost Yoga System; Elevation to Kṛṣṇa Consciousness; Rāja-vidyā: The King of Knowledge; Easy Journey to Other Planets; Perfect Questions, Perfect Answers; Perfection of Yoga; Transcendental Teachings of Prahlāda Mahārāja; Kṛṣṇa: The Reservoir of Pleasure; Overview of Nārada-bhakti-sūtra

Dharmātmā Nimāi dāsa: The Nectar of Instruction; The Nectar of Devotion; Beyond Birth and Death; On the way to Kṛṣṇa; Kṛṣṇa Consciousness: The Matchless Gift

Units 1 to 5 will be studied with Prabhupāda’s translation and purports. Additionally, Īśopaniṣad will be studied with reference to Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura’s commentary on it. Bhagavad-gītā will be studied with reference to Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura’s commentary (Vidvad-rañjana). The Nectar of Instruction will be studied with reference to Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura’s commentaries on it. Prabhupāda’s The Nectar of Devotion will be studied with reference to the original text of Śrī Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu.

From Monday to Saturday, we will have classes covering the above ten units. On Sundays, there will be an overview of Nārada-bhakti-sūtra.

Assessments: Closed book assessments and śloka assessments will take place once a week. Open book assessments have to be submitted before the closed book assessments. There will be a final assessment. Students will have to pass in all of these assessments. Those who don’t will be given limited opportunities for reassessment.

Online participation: Online students participate in the study program real-time via Zoom. Their attendance will be taken into consideration.

Timings: There will be four 90 minute sessions per day, starting at 7:30 am, 9:45 am, 11:30 am and 4:30 pm.

Eligibility: According to ISKCON Board of Examinations, the candidate for Bhakti-śāstrī should be chanting 16 rounds, following 4 regulative principles and be recommended by an ISKCON authority who knows the candidate well, certifying that the candidate is engaged favorably in the mission of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu for at least the previous twelve months.

Interested candidates should fill up the registration form in this page. Those who have been tentatively accepted for the study program will be notified by e-mail after which they will have to attend an interview. After the interview, those whose acceptance has been confirmed will be notified of the same.

Last date of registration: 31 August 2022

First come, first served.