Summary Description

Study of Sanskrit through Śrī Ādi Śaṅkarācārya’s Viveka Cūḍāmaṇi, an introductory text on Advaita Vedānta (Prakaraṇa Grantha).

The purpose of this course is to enable students to read and understand Sanskrit texts (Śastra & Sāhitya) independently and to improve chanting of Sanskrit verses.

The main aims are:

• to learn Sanskrit through Sāhitya
• to have a basic understanding of the text to facilitate further deeper study of the treatise.

Course Entry Prerequisites

No previous qualifications are required but iGCSE equivalent Sanskrit knowledge is mandatory. Ability to read Sanskrit texts and to pronounce and enunciate Sanskrit words are desirable.

An intense desire to learn Sanskrit, commitment to attend the live online sessions regularly, willingness to actively participate in sessions are key factors to understanding and appreciating the literary value of this wonderful text in verse form in the mellifluous language of Śrī Ādiśaṅkara.

Duration and Timings

• It is likely that the course will be of two years duration from September to July consisting of 40 weeks per year.
• 1 session per week (attendance required)
• Tuesdays 8:00pm to 9:00pm (UK times, Zoom-based). Preceded by chanting session 7:45 pm to 8:00 pm
• NB: Sessions will be recorded and available for up to three previous sessions only.

Course Content & Approach

The Vivekacūdāmaṇi contains 581 verses in all. It is one of the masterpieces by Srī Ādiśankarācărya. The content is highly philosophical; being a prakaraṇa grantha of the Advaita Vedānta darśana. Śrīśankara has compiled this in verse form in his inimitable free-flowing mellifluous language making it pleasant to listen to and easy to memorise. So a great deal of focus shall be devoted to chanting of the verses.

The first part of the course aims to cover the first 135 verses of the treatise. The treatise is in the form of a dialogue between a disciple who asks questions and a preceptor who provides the answers. The main theme is development of discernment or Viveka between the Real and unreal, Eternal and non-eternal and the Brahman and the world.

The section with the first 135 verses forms the theoretical foundation of the text, transitioning from the prerequisites of a seeker to a rigorous anatomical breakdown of what is not the Self.

• The Foundations (Verses 1–71): Covers the rare blessing of human birth, the necessary qualifications of a student (Sādhana Catuṣṭaya), and the approach to the Guru.
• Anatomy of the Not-Self (Verses 72–134): Breaks down the structural layers of human existence. It analyses the Gross Body (Sthūla Śarīra), Subtle Body (Sūkṣma Śarīra), Causal Body (Karaṇa śarīra), and the operating mechanics of the five senses.
• The Climax at Verse 135: This verse provides the ultimate, comprehensive definition of the Supreme Self (Paramātman) as the absolute witness (Sākṣī) that operates entirely outside of nature’s modifications (Prakṛti).

The classes are designed in the following manner:

1. Exclusive chanting session between 7:45pm and 8pm : This aims to improve listening skills and pronunciation and enunciation of Sanskrit words with basic understanding of the metrical composition of the verse.
2. Main session : This is going to be conducted in the following way: The verses to be covered are shared in advance.
   • Chanting of verse: First by course facilitator/volunteer followed by group repetition twice by participants
   • Padacchedaḥ : De-Sandhify the verse
   • Word-by-word meaning
   • Anvaya krama or prose order of the verse
   • The anvayārtha or literal meaning of the verse
   • Usage of the Ākānkṣā krama where appropriate to understand the meaning of the verse
   • relevant grammar

The course starts with a two to three introductory session which aims to speak a bit on Śrīādiśankarācarya and the place of this treatise amongst the 18 traditional Indian knowledge systems.

Every 4th session opportunity is provided to participants to present a summary of the verses covered.

The medium of instruction is English. Sessions will be conducted via a dedicated zoom platform. All teaching material will be available on Lesson Plan accessible via Cloud Storage. No books are required.
The lesson plan will have all details of the verses covered and to be covered and updated after each session.

All students will be encouraged to take part in an optional assessment at the end of the course, leading to a Certificate of Achievement from Sanskrut Bhakti.

Course Requirements

Sanskrut Bhakti understands the constraints of the adult learners and their burning desire to learn Sanskrit. Therefore students are expected to attend the live lessons. The live sessions offer opportunities for interaction and doubt clearance. In addition, it is expected that students will be required to spend at least 2 hours of self study per week in preparation for the live sessions.

All absences have to be reported in advance by email.

All course communication related to Sanskrut Bhakti is via email and WhatsApp using Internet-links to course resources.

Course Costs

There is no Course Fee. All Sanskrut Bhakti teaching and administration is on a purely voluntary basis. Students may make a voluntary contribution to Sanskrut Bhakti to cover their essential administration costs e.g. Zoom, Google Drive etc. Details will be provided at the start of the course.

Course Registration

Please ensure that you satisfy the entry requirements for this course before registering.

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