Get Started with Self-Study
Chinmaya International Foundation’s (CIF) Svadhyaya Series is a unique opportunity that facilitates self-study through online short courses on Indian Knowledge Traditions (IKTs), with prime focus on Vedantic texts. This online self-study course features a set of must-study texts, ideal for beginner, intermediate and advanced level students keen to learn the timeless concepts of Vedanta. What makes Svadhyaya Series a one of a kind initiative is that it lets the students pursue the course at their own pace. The course material comprises video/audio recordings of discourses by eminent teachers, multiple-choice questionnaires after each chapter for self-evaluation, an online Discussion Forum for peer engagement and doubt clarification sessions with subject experts. Isn’t this an amazing opportunity for enthusiastic students?
CIF’s Svadhyaya Series is a unique opportunity that facilitates self-study through online courses on Indian Knowledge Traditions (IKTs), with prime focus on Vedantic texts. This online self-study course features a set of must-study texts, ideal for beginner, intermediate and advanced level students keen to learn the timeless concepts of Vedanta. What makes Svadhyaya Series a one of a kind initiative is that it lets the students pursue the course at their own pace. The course material comprises video/audio recordings of discourses by eminent teachers, multiple-choice questionnaires after each chapter for self-evaluation, an online Discussion Forum for peer engagement and doubt clarification sessions with subject experts. Isn’t this an amazing opportunity for enthusiastic students?
How to begin your self-study after registering for the Svadhyaya Series?
Let’s throw some light at the steps you’ll have to follow once you register for an online self-study course under the Svadhyaya Series:
Based on your interest and level of expertise, choose a course offered under the Svadhyaya Series. See the table below for more information or details on the website.
Watch and/listen to the lectures related to the selected text, which will be available on your dashboard. The entire course is structured into lessons with a logical flow.
Once you understand the concepts covered in a lesson, you can attempt the multiple choice questions given at the end of each lesson, and then move on to the next lesson.
In case of doubt, make use of the Discussion Forum to discuss your doubts with fellow students related to the topics covered in the course. In case any of your questions are left unanswered, the students can email their questions to the concerned team at CIF, which will be answered by a subject expert. If the doubt still persists, a LIVE online face-to-face session with the subject expert will be arranged.
Svadhyaya Series
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More about the course
Panchadasi – Dvaita-viveka-prakarana
Facilitated by Swami Advayananda
Panchadasi, the renowned composition of Sri Bharati Tirtha and Swami Vidyaranya, is a compendium of 15 foundational treatises or prakarana-granthas. This epic work is a singular treatise on the entire philosophy of Advaita Vedanta. The focus of this course is the fourth chapter of Panchadasi, Dvaita-viveka-prakarana. The chapter expounds the world of duality created by both Ishvara and Jiva. The course helps one to explore the complex truths of life.
Vakya-vritti
Facilitated by Swami Advayananda
The course focuses on Sri Adi Sankaracharya’s Vakya-vritti. The text expounds the essence of the Mahavakya “Tat Tvam Asi.” Mahavakyas are short concise Upanishadic statements that present the final essence of Vedanta – the identity of the individual with Brahman. The text presents the literal meaning of the Mahavakya, “Tat Tvam Asi” and helps to fathom its philosophical and spiritual depths.
Brihadaranyaka Upanishad – Maitreyi Brahmana
Facilitated by Swami Advayananda
The Maitreyi-brahmana is a section of the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad and is a dialogue between Sage Yajnavalkya and his wife Maitreyi on the highest wisdom of Vedanta. This section of the Upanishad explains the nature of true happiness and the means to attain it. This short course helps one to master the science of happiness by exploring real happiness.
Dasasloki
Facilitated by Swami Advayananda
Dashashloki is the first Vedantic composition by Sri Adi Sankaracharya. It appears to be simple at the first glance, but is profound and filled with deep and subtle Vedantic precepts. In this text Sri Adi Sankaracharya encapsulates the entire Vedantic philosophy and presents it as the reply to his Guru’s query: “Who are you?.” The text helps one to reflect and realise the true nature of Self.
There is something for everyone!
The different online courses for self-study offered under the Svadhyaya Series along with their difficulty levels are given in the table below:
| Self-Study Course | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|
| Shukastakam | Beginner |
| Tattvabodha – Basic | Beginner |
| Tattvabodha – Advanced | Advanced |
| Atmabodha | Beginner |
| Sadhana Panchakam | Beginner |
| Dasasloki | Advanced |
| Vakya-vritti | Beginner |
| Amritabindu-upanishad | Advanced |
| Maitreyi-brahmana Science of Happiness | Advanced |
| Maitreyi-brahmana with Shankara bhashya | Advanced |
| Nasadiya-sukta | Intermediate |
| Panchadashi Chapter 1 — Tattva-viveka-prakarana | Advanced |
| Panchadashi Chapter 2 — Mahabhuta-viveka- prakarana | Advanced |
| Panchadashi Chapter 3 — Panchakosha-viveka-prakarana | Advanced |
| Panchadashi Chapter 4 — Dvaita-viveka-prakarana | Advanced |
| Panchadashi Chapter 5 — Mahavakya-viveka-prakarana | Advanced |
