Vidura Niti

Introduction

Vidura, the half-brother of Dhritarashtra and Pandu of the Kuru dynasty in the  Mahabharata, was a keen observer of power and politics from very close quarters. His wisdom and guidance on wise and enlightened leadership is captured in his conversation with Dhritarashtra.

The Vidura Niti comprises 8 chapters ( No.33-40) in the Udyoga Parva of the Mahabharata. In these chapters while advising on the duties and responsibilities of a king, Raja Dharma, the foundational issues of personal character have been discussed in eye-catching detail.Some of these are interaction and treatment of others, truthful and moral behavior, Dharma, discrimination between desirable and undesirable qualities, human welfare, attributes of a friends and consequences of greed and ingratitude.

A devoted understanding of Vidura Niti will benefit everyone, the young, the adult , the aged, men and women, leaders and followers, the teacher and the student to lead a clean and sober life.

Course Objectives

To provide a clear understanding of the key ideas and philosophy of the Vidura Niti and their application to the 21st century Bharat and the world

Course Outcomes

• A comprehensive exposure to the key ideas contained in the Vidura Niti
• A clear knowledge of how to apply these ideas in the modern and current context

Course Syllabus

 The 8 chapters can be divided into 27 major topics as listed below which can be further divided into 212 micro topics ( not listed but will dealt in the course)

• Topic 0 Introduction
• Topic 1 The Learned Men
• Topic 2 The High Minded
• Topic 3 The Wise Man -1
• Topic 4 The Preceptor
• Topic 5 Think before you Leap
• Topic 6 Wasteful Effort
• Topic 7 The Ideal King
• Topic 8 Friendship-1
• Topic 9 The Five Objectives
• Topic10 The Wicked and the Wise
• Topic 11 The Virtuous
• Topic 12 Slavery to Senses
• Topic 13 Sin, Virtue, Wisdom
• Topic 14 The Wise Man -2
• Topic 15 Speech and Silence
• Topic 16 The Best of Men
• Topic 17 Friendship-2
• Topic 18 Human Conduct
• Topic 19 The Good Servant
• Topic 20 Ends and Means
• Topic 21 The WIse Householder
• Topic 22 The Wise Man and the Fool
• Topic 23 Modesty and Humility
• Topic 24 Friendship -3
• Topic 25 Pleasure and Prosperity
• Topic 26 Roots of Prosperity
• Topic 27 Enemies of Knowledge

Reading List

• Vidura NIti by Gita Press
• Vidura Niti by Swami Jagadishwarananda Saraswati
• Vidura Niti by Param Pujaya Kirit Bhai
• Vidura NIti by N S Anantharangachar

Course includes

• Live sessions
• Access to class recordings for asynchronous participation
• Certificate of Completion upon successful course completion