PROGRAM OVERVIEW

<h3><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Hastamalakiyam (Smt. Rama Sivaraman)</strong></span></h3><div class="flex max-w-full flex-col flex-grow"> <div class="min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 whitespace-normal break-words text-start [.text-message+&amp;]:mt-5" dir="auto" data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="acae6b58-91f2-4533-8c2d-155d353dab1c" data-message-model-slug="gpt-4o"> <div class="flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden first:pt-[3px]"> <div class="markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert light"> <p data-start="0" data-end="482" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node=""><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><strong data-start="0" data-end="18" data-is-only-node="">Hastamalakiyam</strong> is a profound Vedantic text composed by the young disciple Hastamalaka, who effortlessly revealed his Self-knowledge to Acharya Adi Shankara. Through just 12 verses, this text presents the essence of Advaita Vedanta with remarkable clarity, describing the nature of the Self as ever-luminous, untouched by worldly limitations, and as evident as a fruit in one's palm. Its direct and experiential approach makes it a unique and powerful work in Advaita literature. In 3 sessions, Smt. Rama Sivaraman covered each verse of the text in detail, drawing both from her long vedanta sadhana and rich corporate experience to show the practical application of vedanta various facets of daily life.</span></p> </div> </div> </div> </div><div class="mb-2 flex gap-3 -ml-2" tabindex="0"> <div class="flex items-center justify-start rounded-xl p-1"> <div> <h3 class="flex items-center transition-opacity group-hover/turn:opacity-100 opacity-100"><strong><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Vedantic Insights from Itihasas &amp; Puranas (Smt. Poornima Prasad)</span></strong></h3> <div class="flex items-center transition-opacity group-hover/turn:opacity-100 opacity-100"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The <strong data-start="4" data-end="28">Itihasas and Puranas</strong> beautifully weave Vedantic wisdom into narratives, making profound truths accessible through engaging stories.&nbsp;Through dialogues, parables, and divine play (leela), these texts impart Vedantic concepts such as <strong data-start="565" data-end="677">Brahman as the ultimate reality, the illusion of duality, and the journey from ignorance to self-realization</strong>, offering seekers both inspiration and deep contemplation. In 3 sessions, Smt. Poornima Prasad presented selections from Tattvasangraha Ramayana, Mahabharata and Bhagavata Purana, which showcase vedanta in its full glory.&nbsp;</span></div> <div class="flex items-center transition-opacity group-hover/turn:opacity-100 opacity-100">&nbsp;</div> <h3 class="flex items-center transition-opacity group-hover/turn:opacity-100 opacity-100"><strong><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Guest Lectures</span></strong></h3> <div class="flex items-center transition-opacity group-hover/turn:opacity-100 opacity-100"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Several scholars presented lectures during the retreat, covering various aspects related to vedanta.&nbsp;</span></div> <div class="flex items-center transition-opacity group-hover/turn:opacity-100 opacity-100"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><strong>1. Karma Yoga in Gita</strong> - Prof. B Mahadevan</span></div> <div class="flex items-center transition-opacity group-hover/turn:opacity-100 opacity-100"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><strong>2. Veda-Poorva Bhaaga</strong> - Vid. Shankararama Sharma</span></div> <div class="flex items-center transition-opacity group-hover/turn:opacity-100 opacity-100"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><strong>3. Sanskrit for Vedanta</strong> - Dr. Sowmya Krishnapur</span></div> <div class="flex items-center transition-opacity group-hover/turn:opacity-100 opacity-100"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><strong>4. Sanskrit Learning Path for Vedanta</strong> - Dr. Venkatasubramanian P and Dr. Viswanathan P</span></div> <div class="flex items-center transition-opacity group-hover/turn:opacity-100 opacity-100"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><strong>5. Yoga for Vedanta</strong> - Dr. Jayaraman Mahadevan</span></div> <div class="flex items-center transition-opacity group-hover/turn:opacity-100 opacity-100">&nbsp;</div> <div class="flex items-center transition-opacity group-hover/turn:opacity-100 opacity-100"> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><strong>What will you gain from this course? (Key Benefits / Learning Outcomes)</strong></span></p> <ul> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">A good revision of the fundamental concepts of Vedanta.</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Understanding of many allied areas which add value to vedantic study.</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><strong>What are the materials/support you get?</strong></span></p> <ul> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Access to recordings of classes (both video and audio) which you may access anytime for repeated listening or catching up with missed portions.</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Presentations used for the classes in PDF format.</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><strong>What are the prerequisites to get the best out of this course?&nbsp;</strong></span></p> <ul> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Ideally must have completed <a href="https://www.sanskritfromhome.org/course-details/introduction-to-vedanta-7205" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Introduction to Vedanta</a>/<a href="https://www.sanskritfromhome.org/course-details/tattvabodha-a-primer-to-vedanta-35011" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tattvabodha</a>.</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sanskritfromhome.org/course-details/understanding-gita-verse-by-verse-7210" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Understanding the Gita Verse-by-Verse</a> course is recommended but not compulsory.</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Basic Sanskrit knowledge would greatly help and enhance the effectiveness of the study.<br></span></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div><p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Note: </strong>This course is offered freely as a humble contribution to the timeless tradition of Samskrita and shastra adhyayana. If you have found value in this journey, we invite you to consider supporting our continued efforts to preserve and share the rich heritage of Samskrta, Samskrti, and Samskara. Your kind donation, big or small, will help us organise more such events, reach more seekers and sustain this seva for generations to come.&nbsp;<br><br><a href="https://vyoma.org/donors/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Click here to support Samskrta-Samskrti-Samskara Seva efforts of Vyoma</a><br></span></p>