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SUBHASHITAS</br>Sanskrit Maxims

SUBHASHITAS
Sanskrit Maxims

Subhashitam सुष्ठु भाषितम् or wise sayings are a unique, interesting and inseparable part of Sanskrit literature. These individual pithy sayings convey profound messages and have been passed on from generation to generation through oral instruction. These have been a part of traditional learning for centuries. Subsequently, these Subhashitas were compiled. Many of the verses are traced back to the great poets like Valmiki, Vyas Bhartrhari and Kalidasa.

Join this INDICA Course, based on the book WISER by Prof V Krishnamurthy, to immerse yourself into the wisdom of these Sanskrit maxims.

Wiser is a compilation of 366 Sanskrit sayings collected from various works in Sanskrit from ancient times, particularly, Subhashita Ratna Bhandagaram of the 9th century.

These sayings are full of invaluable advice in the form of shlokas on all aspects of holistic living including interactions in society, human relationships, oddities of human behaviour and control of the lower passions residing in the human mind. These maxims also cover our reaction to experiences, awareness of a divine power beyond our perception, precious anecdotes from history and many more that defy any categorization.

One can randomly open any page and find oneself wiser on the other side. So what are you waiting for? Enroll now!

COHORT COURSE
Duration
15 Hours
Date & Time

22 July 2022 - 28 October 2022

5:30 PM -6:30 PM IST

Every Friday

Price

Course Fee: $50
Enrollment Manual
Medium of Instruction
English and Sarala Samskritam
Eligibility
Knowledge of देवनागरी लिपि (Devanagari script) used for Sanskrit script is essential. Some basic knowledge of Sanskrit is desirable.
Validity
One year from the beginning of the course
Delivery
Online through Indica Courses Learning Portal
Contact Details

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Introduction

Origin of many Subhashitas is unknown. They have passed on from generation to generation through oral instruction – typical in ancient times. Subsequently, these Subhashitas were compiled. Many of the verses are traced back to the great poets like Valmiki, Vyas Bhartrhari and Kalidasa.

Subhashitas can serve as an excellent tool for Sanskrit learning. These are small individual units complete in themselves and therefore easy to comprehend. Due to their poetic form, Subhashitas are excellent for building pronunciation and memorization.

The book WISER by Prof V Krishnamurthy is not just a compilation of 366 Sanskrit sayings collected from various works in Sanskrit from ancient times, particularly, Subhashita Ratna Bhandagaram of the 9th century..

It also illustrates similar quotes from other languages. The author being a Vedantin (a branch of philosophy) has included some sayings from Upanishads (philosophical scriptures). Being a mathematician by profession, he has also included brain teasers, riddles, Chatu Shlokas (verses with a twist in meaning) and Samasya-purti (complete the verse).

These sayings are full of invaluable advice in the form of shlokas on all aspects of holistic living including interactions in society, human relationships, oddities of human behaviour and control of the lower passions residing in the human mind. These maxims also cover our reaction to experiences, awareness of a divine power beyond our perception, precious anecdotes from history and many more that defy any categorization.

These provide an insight to the reader of the vast scope of Sanskrit literature.

Objectives

    • Honing pronunciation skills, with the option of memorizing some of the Subhashitams of one’s choice.
    • Generate an interest in Sanskrit poetry through Subhashitam.
    • Sanskrit language comprehension at a basic and intermediate level.
    • Getting wiser, as the title suggests!

Expected Outcomes

    • The learner would develop a general interest in Sanskrit language and literature and thereby also get an insight into Indian way of life and thought process.
    • The learner of this course would gain a deeper insight into the Sanskrit language, by being able to recognize patterns in the typical sentence construction of verses. The learner would also be able to identify the Vibhakti (nominative, accusative, dative cases and the likes), thereby enhancing comprehension skills.
    • The learner would be able to understand Sanskrit syntax rules. He would learn to arrange the jumbled words in the prose order/अन्वय thus arriving at the meaning.
    • The Subhashitams can be useful while handling actual life situations. They also serve as excellent quotations in speeches as is seen very often.
    • The learner would be able to recite Subhashitams with correct pronunciation. 

Syllabus

Each session will include around 12-15 shlokas from WISER. Since these are classified topic wise, we will progress from easier ones to longer and slightly challenging ones.

Reading List

भर्तृहरिः – नीतिशतकम्, शृङ्गारशतकम्, वैराग्यशतकम् – Some select relevant Shlokas

भगवद्गीता – Select Shlokas

चाणक्यनीतिः – Select Chapters

प्रहेलिकाः/न्यायः – Some select compilation

(This INDICA Course is based on the book WISER written by Prof V Krishnamurthy. A copy of this book must be with every learner during the live sessions).

Faculty
teacher

Uma Jayaraman

Mrs. Uma Jayaraman has a professional experience of over two decades in the field of education as a teacher and administrator. She is a Masters Graduate in English and Sanskrit, securing an Order of Merit position for both languages.

She began as a teacher of Sanskrit at the high school level and rose to the position of the Head of Department in various prestigious institutions in Bangalore.

Being the daughter of the venerated Sanskrit scholar Padmashri Prof. V. Venkatachalam, Uma inculcated a deep understanding of Indian culture from an early age. She is passionate about the propagation of the Sanskrit language.