Bhakti Sastri Course Material

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Instructions

Introduction

The course material required for Bhakti Sastri course is listed below. These are on-demand video sessions that are available 24/7 wherever you are. Learn online at your own pace, whenever and wherever it's convenient for you. While there are deadlines, you can learn at hours convenient to your schedule. All video sessions are designed specifically for the distance-learning medium and are taught by Chaitanya Charan Das, an outstanding devotee instructor with many years of classroom teaching. Our video sessions nearly replicate the face-to-face classroom.

For your convenience, all course videos are hosted on YouTube. This will enable you to access on practically any device, including smartphones and tablets. You can even choose the video quality & size depending on your bandwidth speed. You can view the videos even if you have low bandwidth. If you have good bandwidth speed then you can view excellent quality video in full HD (1080i with a widescreen aspect ratio of 16:9, 1920×1080, 2.1 megapixel). Thus, you can watch the videos on big monitors or you can even project the videos on screen using overhead projector. This is especially useful for studying in groups (eg. bhakti vriksha / councilor meetings).

For more details on how to adjust the video quality, please click here.

Methodology

Scrutinizingly study each video. For every video, we have given links to corresponding content on Vedabase. While you watch each video please make notes. At the end of each video, you have to send us (ccd.bhakticourses@gmail.com) brief summary notes.

Question & answers

Email relevant questions regarding the content of the video to ccd.bhakticourses@gmail.com. Please mention the video number & topic of the video in the title of email. An email will be send to you when the answer is posted. All answers will be displayed on Q & A section of each video session. Your identity can be kept confidential if you so desire. Please post only one question per email.

Course material for the six modules of Bhakti Sastri

1. Sri Isopanishad (ISO)

001 Introduction:An overview of the Vedic literature Video Vedabase Q & A

002 Invocation:How everything is perfect and complete Video Vedabase Q & A

003 Mantra 01:How to understand and apply the Lord's proprietorship of everything Video Vedabase Q & A

004 Mantra 02:How karma can be spiritualized Video Vedabase Q & A

005 Mantra 03:How modern civilization is soul-killing Video Vedabase Q & A

006 Mantra 04:Why the Ishvara is inconceivable Video Vedabase Q & A

007 Mantra 05:Understanding Deity Worship as an example of the Lord's inconceivability Video Vedabase Q & A

008 Mantra 06:How spiritual vision develops in the three levels of devotees Video Vedabase Q & A

009 Mantra 07:Rise from mistaken oneness to real oneness Video Vedabase Q & A

010 Mantra 08:How the Ishvara integrates inconceivable attributes Video Vedabase Q & A

011 Mantra 09:Three kinds of so-called knowledge Video Vedabase Q & A

012 Mantra 10:The contrasting results of vidya and avidya Video Vedabase Q & A

013 Mantra 11:Integrate spiritual and material knowledge while living in the world Video Vedabase Q & A

014 Mantra 12 Part 1:How Demigod Worship harmonizes with Krishna worship Video Vedabase Q & A

015 Mantra 12 Part 2:How to understand and deal with impersonalists – Brahmavadis and Mayavadis Video Vedabase Q & A

016 Mantra 13 Part 1:Logical and scriptural examination – Do all paths lead to the same goal? Video Vedabase Q & A

017 Mantra 13 Part 2:How Krishna consciousness and service to humanity concur and differ Video Vedabase Q & A

018 Mantra 14:Devotional service grants immortality Video Vedabase Q & A

019 Mantra 15:How Bhagavan is the highest manifestation of the Absolute Truth Video Vedabase Q & A

020 Mantra 16:Prayers to the Absolute Truth culminate in devotional service Video Vedabase Q & A

021 Mantra 17:How devotional service prepares us for passing the exam of death Video Vedabase Q & A

022 Mantra 18:How the omnipotent Lord guides the devotee to perfection Video Vedabase Q & A

2. Nectar of Instruction (NOI)

023 Preface and overview of The Nectar of Instruction Video Vedabase Q & A

024 Text 01 Part 1:Combating the urges of speech, mind and anger Video Vedabase Q & A

025 Text 01 Part 2:Combating the urges of tongue, belly and genitals Video Vedabase Q & A

026 Text 02 Part 1:Avoiding atyahara and prayasa Video Vedabase Q & A

027 Text 02 Part 2:Avoiding prajalpa and niyamagraha Video Vedabase Q & A

028 Text 02 Part 3:Avoiding jana-sanga and laulya Video Vedabase Q & A

029 Text 03 Part 1:Cultivating enthusiasm and determination on the path of bhakti Video Vedabase Q & A

030 Text 03 Part 2:Cultivating patience and following the regulative principles Video Vedabase Q & A

031 Text 03 Part 3:Giving up bad association and following in the right footsteps Video Vedabase Q & A

032 Text 04 Part 1:How giving and receiving gifts and prasad nourishes our bhakti Video Vedabase Q & A

033 Text 04 Part 2:Having heart-to-heart discussions with devotees Video Vedabase Q & A

034 Text 05 Part 1:Associating properly with the three levels of devotees Video Vedabase Q & A

035 Text 05 Part 2:Associating carefully with advanced devotees Video Vedabase Q & A

036 Text 06:Avoid seeing devotees with material vision Video Vedabase Q & A

037 Text 07:Practice devotional service not for its taste but for its healing potency Video Vedabase Q & A

038 Text 08:How Prabhupada through ISKCON has implemented Rupa Goswami's Upadesha-sara Video Vedabase Q & A

039 Text 09:Understanding the reality and the glory of the spiritual world with its transcendental hierarchy Video Vedabase Q & A

040 Text 10:The exalted love of Radharani Video Vedabase Q & A

041 Text 11:How love reigns supreme in Goloka Vrindavana Video Vedabase Q & A

3. Bhagavad Gita – Chapters 01 to 06 (BG1)

042 Bhagavad Gita – Introduction Video Vedabase Q & A

043 Bhagavad Gita Chapter 01 Verse 01 to 07: Kurukshetra’s pious setting and Sanjaya’s mystical vision Video Vedabase Q & A

044 Bhagavad Gita Chapter 01 Text 08 to 14:Karna – Absent yet present on the battlefield Video Vedabase Q & A

045 Bhagavad Gita Chapter 01 Text 15 to 25:Bhima’s herculean appetite and strength Video Vedabase Q & A

046 Bhagavad Gita Chapter 01 Text 26 to 36: Arjuna’s first three reasons for not fighting – compassion, enjoyment and sinful reaction
Video Vedabase Q & A

048 Bhagavad Gita Chapter 02 Text 01 to 05:The spiritual meaning of arya and its current negative connotations Video[/button Vedabase Q & A

049 Bhagavad Gita Chapter 02 Text 06 to 12:Verbalization without internalization Video Vedabase Q & A

050 Bhagavad Gita Chapter 02 Text 13 to 17:How the soul is indestructible Part 1 Video Vedabase Q & A

051 Bhagavad Gita Chapter 02 Text 18 to 21:How the Gita’s understanding of the soul and reincarnation is superior to that given in other religions? Video Vedabase Q & A

052 Bhagavad Gita Chapter 02 Text 22 to 28:Clarifying the characteristics of the soul 2 Video Vedabase Q & A

053 Bhagavad Gita Chapter 02 Text 29 to 37:How Krishna counters Arjuna’s no enjoyment Video Vedabase Q & A

054 Bhagavad Gita Chapter 02 Text 38 to 46:Contrasting karma yoga with karma kanda Video Vedabase Q & A

055 Bhagavad Gita Chapter 02 Text 47 to 53:Two definitions of yoga and its general understanding Video Vedabase Q & A

056 Bhagavad Gita Chapter 02 Text 54 to 59: Seek the happiness that is beyond pleasure and pain Video Vedabase Q & A

057 Bhagavad Gita Chapter 02 Text 60 to 63:Control, Concentration, Conquest Three stages in self-majesty Video Vedabase Q & A

058 Bhagavad Gita Chapter 02 Text 63 to 70: Rising from material enjoyment to spiritual fulfillment Video Vedabase Q & A

059 Bhagavad Gita Chapter 02 Text 71 To Chapter 03 Text 03:Understanding Prabhupada’s strategy in presenting the Gita Video Vedabase Q & A

060 Bhagavad Gita Chapter 03 Text 03 to 09:Three reasons why karma yoga is preferable to jnana yoga Video Vedabase Q & A

061 Bhagavad Gita 03 Chapter Text 10 to 13:Is the concept of demigods controlling natural phenomena like rains scientifically tenable Video Vedabase Q & A 062 Bhagavad Gita Chapter 03 Text 14 to 19:Yajnas differentiate humans from animals Video Vedabase Q & A

063 Bhagavad Gita Chapter 03 Text 21 to 26:Are all the activities of Krishna exemplary Video Vedabase Q & A

064 Bhagavad Gita Chapter 03 Text 27 to 32:What does the “modes are the doers” mean Video Vedabase Q & A

065 Bhagavad Gita Chapter 03 Text 33 to 36:Two mis quoted verse fragments from the Gita Video Vedabase Q & A

066 Bhagavad Gita Chapter 03 Text 37 to 40: What does the “modes are the doers” mean Video Vedabase Q & A

067 Bhagavad Gita Chapter 03 Text 40 to 43:Intelligence saves us from becoming willing captives of Lust Video Vedabase Q & A

068 Bhagavad Gita Chapter 04 Text 01 to 06:How Krishna teaches and restores spiritual knowledge Video Vedabase Q & A

069 Bhagavad Gita Chapter 04 Text 7 to 10:What does understanding Krishan tattvatah mean Video Vedabase Q & A

070 Bhagavad Gita Chapter 04 Text 11 to 13:How Krishna reciprocates with different people Video Vedabase Q & A

071 Bhagavad Gita Chapter 04 Text 14 to 23:How the karma of a karma yogi doesnt cause bondag Video Vedabase Q & A

072 Bhagavad Gita Chapter 04 Text 24 to 33:The universal principle and purpose underlying various yajnas Video Vedabase Q & A

073 Bhagavad Gita Chapter 04 Text 34 to 38: How to receive and relish spiritual knowledge Video Vedabase Q & A

074 Bhagavad Gita Chapter 04 Text 38 to 42:Categorize spiritual knowledge to develop faith and learn to suspend doubts Video Vedabase Q & A

075 Bhagavad Gita Chapter 05 Text 01 to 07:Unity of purposes underlies the diversity of processes Video Vedabase Q & A

076 Bhagavad Gita Chapter 05 Text 08 to 14:Understanding how the three doers interact Video Vedabase Q & A

077 Bhagavad Gita Chapter 05 Text 15 to 18:The four inner faculties that we need to on invest in Krishna to become illumined by Knowledge Video Vedabase Q & A

078 Bhagavad Gita Chapter 05 Text 19 to 24:Become a seasoned fighter in the war against temptations Video Vedabase Q & A

079 Bhagavad Gita Chapter 05 Text 25 to 29:Fill the mind with the positive to rid it of the negative Video Vedabase Q & A

080 Bhagavad Gita Chapter 06 Text 01 to 08: Sannyasa and yoga both require freedom from material desires which in turn requires a controlled mind Video Vedabase Q & A

081 Bhagavad Gita Chapter 06 Text 08 to 14: Applying yoga principles in the path of Bhakti Video Vedabase Q & A

082 Bhagavad Gita Chapter 06 Text 14 to 18:Understanding 5 aspects of yama and niyama and 5 stages in mind control Video Vedabase Q & A

083 Bhagavad Gita Chapter 06 Text 18 to 23:Samadhi as understood in ashtanga yoga and in bhakti-yoga Video Vedabase Q & A

084 Bhagavad Gita Chapter 06 Text 24 to 32:The yogi sees the all pervasive and the personal Absolute Truth as one Video Vedabase Q & A

085 Bhagavad Gita Chapter 06 Text 33 to 36:The mind’s four deadly characteristics Video Vedabase Q & A

086 Bhagavad Gita Chapter 06 Text 37 to 45:How the deviated yogi eventually attains perfection Video Vedabase Q & A

087 Bhagavad Gita Chapter 06 Text 46 to Chapter 07 Text 01:Attachment to Krishna is the ultimate perfection of yoga Video Vedabase Q & A