Courses
Traditional knowledge systems
The Vraja Institute is an educational institution of higher education that offers an array of courses taught in English and Hindi. The courses are primarily derived from Indian traditional knowledge systems.
Courses taught in English
Vraja Institute offers extensive coursework in English. Through its partnership with Rutgers University, it offers a three-week undergraduate course in Hinduism over the Winter Term annually. This is an introductory course open to students from all academic disciplines, not exclusively those from Religious Studies or South Asian Studies Departments. Additionally, Vraja Institute offers a Bhakti Tirtha degree for study from October-March over a five-year period. However, students are permitted to audit individual courses or formally enroll for one year of coursework. Coursework in English language includes the following subjects:
- Hinduism
- Sanskrit Grammar
- Vedanta Sutra
- Yoga Sutra
- Bhagavad Gita
- Sankhya Karika
- Psychology
- Artha Sangraha of Purva Mimamsa
- Caraka Samhita of Ayurveda
- Theistic Vedanta
- Sahitya Darpana
Courses taught in Hindi
The curriculum features six subjects, namely:
- Sanskrit Grammar
- Sahitya
- Purana
- Advaita Vedanta
- Theistic Vedanta
- Jyotisha
Resident Faculty
Dr. Satyanarayana Dasa is the Founder of the Vraja Institute and holds a Ph.D. in Sanskrit from Agra University. Dr. Jan Brzezinski received a Ph.D. in Sanskrit Literature from the University of London.
Publications
Translations and original commentaries on Sanskrit texts. Vraja Institute publishes work by its faculty and visiting scholars. We accept proposals for new publications.
Facility
Vraja Institute has two student dormitories, each with eighteen rooms. There is an extensive library, common areas and rooftops to relax, and a big dinning space with natural heating.