The Puruṣārthas – Bhāratīya Concept of the Purpose of Life
In the sanātana samskriti of Bhārata, the human way of life is mainly based on a value system which comprises both the universal as well as the individual values (Puruṣārthas). It not only helps to lead calm and collected life in this world (Iha) but also pave the way for total liberation from the exegesis of life and living (Parā).
Join this course to understand and practise these values.
Faculty
Introduction
Life and living cannot be put in a strait jacket of do’s and don’ts for it is not actions to be chosen between black and white. It is such a flexible process one should be aware of the time, place, circumstances and the disposition of the individual at that point of time, if it needs to be effective and fruitful. After all, ‘values’ means we have choices of paths to evaluate and seek relief from worldly issues as well as release from all the bondages created by our own actions. The whole domain is called Puruṣārthas (पुरुषार्थ) meaning goals of life, worthy of perusing and the methodology of attaining them. They are four in number.
- Dharma (धर्म) – righteousness
- Artha (अर्थ) – means
- Kāma (काम) – desires
- Moksha (मोक्ष) – liberation
The values can be, Satyam (Temporal values) and Rtam (Universal values).
They operate in domains called ‘Iha’ (the sensory world) and ‘Parā’ (beyond the sensory world). In each domain the very same Puruṣārthas gets different meanings in terms of practice.
Objectives
- Guides everyone to know and how to imbibe those human values in life to a contented and blissful living.
- Emphasis is on personality development.
- Learning the concept of the Iha and Parā.
- How to adapt the Ashtānga yoga lifestyle for such a personality transformation.
Expected Outcomes
- To have a basic understanding of the Bhāratīya concept of values and bring them in practice to lead a value based life.
- Understand the core concepts and frameworks of the Puruṣārthas.
- To improve mindfulness and gain more maturity in their life and living style.
- Knowledge of the basis for philosophy of yoga.
Beneficiaries
- High-school (age 13-17), Undergrad students, Masters’ students, Technical Professionals, Teachers, Managers, Self-employed, Creative Professional (art, design, architecture), Homemakers.
- Anyone interested in understanding the basics of personality transformation according to the Sanātana culture of Bhārata.
Syllabus
Part-I
- Introduction to the Sanātana value system, how it encompasses all possible avenues (1 class).
- The major Puruṣārthas and other allied basic concepts (1 class).
- The two aspects of Puruṣārthas namely iha & Parā (1 class).
- The need for the sequence and to be applicable at what time, at what age and under what circumstances (2 classes).
- The first “Kāma” (1 class).
- The second “Artha” (1 class).
- The Prime Puruṣārthas – “Dharma’ (2 classes).
- The fourth “Moksha” (1 class).
Part-II
- The fluidity of the concepts despite having the common goal (2 classes).
- Could such a concept be universally applicable (1class).
- A simple comparison with other cultures and schools of thought (1class).
- The value system’s application in the major systems of knowledge (for ex: governance, aesthetics Etc.) and their relevance today (2 classes).
- The basic requirements if it were to be brought into practice (1class).
- How to enable people to gain eligibility to comprehend and feel involved in such a journey (3 classes).
Faculty
Prof. M. A. Narasimhan
Director, ItihasaBharati, Mysore
Prof. M. A. Narasimhan, Director, ItihāsaBharati, Mysore, an institution meant to do research work in rewriting the history of Bharata exclusively from the Indian perspective, is a science graduate holding Master’s Degree in Education with specialization in advanced psychology and research methodology and in Sanskrit. He has specialized in Indian philosophical systems and a yoga practitioner. He has been a disciple of His Holiness Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. He is a teacher of Transcendental Meditation. He has taught the TM technique to more than 25,000 people and has trained more than 1000 teachers of Transcendental meditation. He has held many responsible posts in the then Maharishi Institute of Creative Intelligence. He was the director for the TM operation in the entire south India, the four states of Andhra Pradesh, Tamilnadu, Kerala and Karnataka with more than 600 teachers helping him in spreading the message of TM. He was instrumental in opening small scale industries and many schools in different parts of India. He has been a Siddha practitioner and reaping the benefits of advanced techniques which are termed as Siddhis. He is a research scholar specializing in the fields of Indian culture and the Sciences of ancient India. He has a considerable number of books, monographs, and papers in the fields of Indian history, Science, Sanskrit and philosophy to his credit. He is one of the editors to the journals like Ithihasasamachar, IthihasaRashmi’ He has conducted many workshops along with his sister Dr. M.A. Jayashree on chanting of Yoga Sutras and Bhagavad Gita, given lectures on Yoga Philosophy in many parts of the world like Hong Kong, Thailand, United states & Europe. He has also given several sessions in the “Evolution – Asia Yoga Conference” in Hong Kong.
Dr. M.A.Jayashree
Retired Professor of Sanskrit, currently the director of Anantha Research foundation, Mysore
Dr.M.A.Jayashree a retired Professor of Sanskrit, currently the director of Anantha Research foundation, Mysore, an institution engaged in foundational research work in the field of ancient sciences of India and also in the field of Sanskrit and Indian culture, holds a doctorate degree in Sanskrit from Bangalore University on the topic, “Concept of Mind in Indian philosophy” done under the guidance of Prof K. T. Pandurangi. She has many books, monographs and papers to her credit in the fields of Sanskrit, Ancient Sciences, Indian history, Culture, Music and so on. She holds a vidvat (master) degree in Carnatic classical music and is a Performing Musician. She is an accomplished artist in Mysore school of painting. She is the Vidwatpramukh for ItihasaSankalanaSamiti, Karnataka chapter. Currently she is the director of Anantha Research Foundation, an institution exclusively meant for research in the field of ancient sciences of India and also into the philosophical and cultural roots of Bharata. She is an accomplished speaker in Sanskrit and an avid teacher propagating learning of spoken Sanskrit through simple methods. She has a large following of overseas students to learn Yoga Sutras of Maharshi Patanjali and SrimadBhagavadgita. She has presented papers in national and international seminars and conferences. She has conducted many workshops along with her brother Prof. M.A.Narasimhan on chanting of Yoga Sutras and Bhagavad Gita, given lectures on Yoga Philosophy and taught Sanskrit in an easy way in many parts of the world like Hong Kong, Thailand, America & Europe. She has also given several sessions in the “Evolution – Asia Yoga Conference ” in Hong Kong for 3 consecutive years. She has produced many CDs and books as learning aids in the traditional method of oral chanting in the name ‘Srutiparampara’.