Sandarbhas series: A conceptual study of Tattva Sandarbha

By Kanai Krishna Das

Certificate Course

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Course Duration
30 Hours

Videos
90 Min/ Session

No. Of Sessions
20

Sessions per week
1

Language
English

Eligibility
Anyone

Schedule of Classes

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Starts on
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8:00 PM - 9:30 PM IST Regular classes on Friday

About the Teacher

teacher

Kanai Krishna Das

Kanai Krishna Das is a disciple of His Holiness Radhanatha Swami Maharaja. He joined ISKCON in 2001. Currently he serves as a full-time monk in ISKCON Bhagavata Mahavidyalaya, Govardhan. 

Before becoming a monk in 2011, he worked with MNCs such as FMR Corporation, Honeywell Corporation and others as an Oracle consultant for 6 years. 

He is a member of ISKCON’s Shastric Advisory Committee (SAC), a body which advises GBC on the matters pertaining to Shastras and their applications in ISKCON. 

He is the Director of academics at ISKCON Bhagavata Mahavidyalaya, Govardhan. 

He is a traditional Sanskrit scholar with expertise in Paninian Grammar. He teaches Sanskrit grammar, Sanskrit commentaries on Bhakti Shastras like Bhagavad gita, Shrimad bhagavatam, Bhagavata Sandarbhas and other literatures of Gaudiya Vaishnava Sampradaya, as well as courses like Bhakti Shastri, Bhakti Vaibhava and Bhakti Vedanta to worldwide students at IBMV Govardhan. 

He is currently completing post-graduation (M.A.) in Sanskrit and philosophy, and will soon be pursuing a Ph.D. in Sanskrit. 

He conducts many online courses on devotional scriptures and Sanskrit, for a variety of audience. His courses can be found at https://www.ibmedu.org. 

Course Overview

Course Description:

Shrila Jiva Goswami's six Sandarbhas are the most important treatises in understanding the philosophy of Gaudiya Vaishnava sampradaya. The Sandarbhas are a very sophisticated explanation of Shrimad Bhagavatam. 

This course takes the student through the essential concepts of Tattva Sandarbha, the first in the six Sandarbhas. It discusses the supremacy of Shrimad Bhagavatam as the scripture (Pramana) and Bhagavan as being the goal of the scripture (Prameya). 

The approach is to understand this Sandarbha concepts wise, rather than go through the each line and word of the text (anuccheda). Still, the Sanskrit terms and text would be regularly referred so as to have the precise understanding as desired by the author of the text. 

Course Content:

1. Mangalacharana (Invocations)

2. Pramana khanda (epistemology) 

  • Establishing Vedic Shabda as the most valid means of knowledge 
  • The Itihasas and Puranas are Vedic 
  • Shrimad Bhagavatam is the highest authority 
  • The uniqueness of speaker of Shrimad Bhagavatam

3. Prameya khanda (Ontology) 

     Sambandha, abhidheya and prayojana 

  • An analysis of Shrila Vyasadeva's samadhi  
  • Ishvara, jiva and Maya
  • Refutations of Advaita Vedanta's ideas of monism 
  • Shuddha bhakti as abhidheya and prema as prayojana
  • Ten topics of Shrimad Bhagavatam 

Target Audience:

Those who wish to embark on the systematic study of Shrimad Bhagavatam 

Assessment:

A MCQ exam at the end of the course 

Student Guidelines:

  • The student should have studied at least the Bhagavad Gita. (Bhakti Shastri graduate is the ideal expectation, but not mandatory) 
  • No prior knowledge of Sanskrit is required.

What Will Students Gain from This Course?

  • They will understand the greatness of Shrimad Bhagavatam as the highest scripture in Vedic canon
  • The students will embark on the systematic study of Shrimad Bhagavatam
  • This course acts as the first in the series on Sandarbhas, which give a very systematic understanding of Gaudiya Vaishnava Siddhanta
  • This course will give glimpses in the literary glory of Gaudiya Sampradaya
  • An overall strengthening of the faith in Gaudiya tradition 

Why Should One Attend this Course?

  • To understand the history of Shrimad Bhagavatam in Gaudiya Sampradaya 
  • To understand how Shrimad Bhagavatam is the highest scripture 
  • To understand 10 pramanas of gaining knowledge 
  • To understand how to refute misconceptions about Shrimad Bhagavatam 
  • To understand the ten topics of Shrimad Bhagavatam 

What Problems of Students Are We Solving Through the Curriculum?

  • Lack of faith or doubts in the scriptural depth of Gaudiya tradition 
  • Doubts regarding the authenticity and supremacy of Shrimad Bhagavatam 
  • Confusion on where to begin the study of Shrimad Bhagavatam 
  • Overall, one will get a tremendous clarity on the fundamental concepts of Shrimad Bhagavatam as taught by Gaudiya Vaishnavas 

Frequently Asked Questions