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Overview of INDICA Course Integral Well-Being

As gadgets rule our world and a post-pandemic work-from-home model becomes increasingly normalized, health and wellness are sacrificed at the altar of efficient working and state-of-the-art technological expertise.There is a dire need for cognitive and emotional wellness that supports and is enhanced by physiological, environmental, social, and spiritual health. As rates of stress, anxiety, and depression increase worldwide, further exacerbated by prevailing financial insecurities and everchanging sociopolitical dynamics, there is an inordinate pressure that most individuals from all nations and all walks of life experience.

In such times, ancient disciplines of Ayurveda and Yoga offer us much insight into understanding and methods to cope with these challenges, with confidence and from a position of strength rather than vulnerability.

Our latest Indica Course weaves together Indian philosophy, approaches to understanding holistic wellness, and guided practices of āsana, prāṇāyāma, mantra, and bhāvana, along with fundamental Āyurvedic insights on preventive and promotive health.

In this webinar, our faculty Smt Nrithya Jagannathan will provide an overview of this INDICA Course on  Integral Well-Being.

Overview of INDICA Course Introduction to the Law of Karma

Karma Niyama, translated as the Law of Destiny and Freewill, is one of the central themes of Hindu Dharma. At the fundamental level, it is the idea of a cause-and-effect relationship extended to human action and moral behavior.

The scriptures, especially Vedanta, have been unequivocal that unraveling the mystery of Karma is to crack the puzzle of life and gain mastery over it.

Our upcoming INDICA Course will thoroughly explore the Law of Karma (Karma Niyama) through a systematic presentation and examination of all foundational and allied concepts.

It aims to enable the learners to understand and appreciate Karma Niyama – the Law of Destiny and Freewill as explained by Hindu Dharma, reflect deeply upon it, and apply the insights in the context of one’s life.

In this webinar, our faculty will overview this INDICA Course on Introduction to the Law of Karma.

Overview of INDICA Course Introduction to Vedic Mathematics

Vedic mathematics is not merely quick mental calculating tricks. It is about concepts in mathematics.

At INDICA Courses, we have curated a course that instead of simply teaching methods, will teach concepts using basic algebraic identities so that participants can derive their own methods.

It will ensure that learners won’t only  learn the methods, but also discover the Vedic Mathematics sutras.

In this webinar, our faculty Shri Chandrahas Halai will provide an overview of this INDICA Course on  Introduction to Vedic Mathematics.

Overview of INDICA Course Tantrayukti – Indic Method of Thesis Construction

Research methodology is an essential subject for any research scholar. India has its homegrown methodologies and techniques of research, including specialized textual structures, coding, and interpretation of content in large-volume texts and strict conventions of discourse.

At INDICA Courses, we have curated a course to provide an insight into India’s systematic approach to thesis and/or text construction in terms of its content, structure, and language., through an ancient set of devices called Tantrayukti.

In this webinar, our faculty, Dr. Jayaraman Mahadevan, will provide an overview of this INDICA Course on Tantrayukti – Indic Method of Thesis Construction.

Overview of INDICA Course on Introduction to Western Civilisation

The success of Western powers in multiple domains in the so-called ‘modern’ era has enabled the Western civilizational perspective and the self-understanding that emerged during that time to present itself to the rest of the world, not as one perspective among others, but as the universal and definitive human perspective and as the culmination of the world’s intellectual and spiritual development according to principles supposedly objective and self-evident.

The hegemonic position of this civilizational perspective makes it imperative that the essential elements of the Western paradigm of thought referenced by Western geopolitical power as the source of its legitimacy be grasped and critiqued.

To provide the foundation for such awareness, INDICA Courses has introduced a course on Introduction to Western Civilisation.

It is based on a standard, widely assigned collection of readings used to construct the ongoing and open-ended ‘Western Canon’ so that learners may both appreciate the wisdom in this intensely contested tradition and recognize its hazards,

In this webinar, our faculty, Dr. Edward P Butler, will provide an overview of this course.

Introduction to Sanatana Dharma

What has traditionally been referred to as Sanatana Dharma or the eternal Dharma, is commonly referred to as Hinduism. Why then is it called Hinduism? How far can we trace its origin to?

Hinduism ecompasses various aspects – be it the Vedas, Agamas, Tantras, Karma, Bhakti, Jnana, rituals, rites, temples, devotion, meditation, yoga, Vedānta, worship of various deities, festivals and so on. How are all these related and what all does Sanātana Dharma comprise of?

What is it and what is it not?

To answer questions like these and more, INDICA Courses is offering a course on Introduction to Sanatana Dharma from the 1st of November, 2022. In this session, our faculty Shri Subramanian C, will provide and overview of this INDICA Course.

Kashmir – Cultural Epicentre of Bharat: Call for Papers

Of the various culture and thought centres that have impacted Bharat, Kashmir has been a huge source of many creativity-generating and paradigm-shifting offerings. Different poetic works from the rest of ancient and medieval India mention Kashmir/Sharada Peetha as the yearned destinations or dream locations for their characters. Folk narratives from the rest of India have kings, princes, and princesses of Kashmir as their celebrated characters. Itihasas and Puranas from the rest of India praise the maahaatmya of the tirthas and Kshetras of Kashmir. Besides hosting several punya tirthas and punya sthalas that have attracted the rest of Bharat for ages, Kashmir has also sent seekers to the rest of Bharat. Sharada Desh has been a center of learning for traditional knowledge systems from other regions and has sent learners to similar centres of learning across the country. There has been a continuous exchange of learning and learners between Kashmir and the rest of Bharat.

Kashmir has been mentioned in Panini’s Asthadhyayi, Mahabharat, Puranas and Brihat Samhita (Kumari, 1968). Patanjali, Abhinavagupta, Vishnu Sharma, Bilhana, Kalhana and Bhamaha are some of the eminent scholars from this region. Vasugupta’s Shiva Sutra is an important text of the Advaita tradition of Kashmir Shaivism. According to Kalhana, the first known king of the region was Gonanda (in 1000 BC). The Native king of Kashmir who minted coins in the early 6th century was Pravarsena. In Nilmat Purana, sage Vaisampayana tells king Janmayjeya that the Goddess Uma is the same as Kashmira and that the holy region of Kashmira is possessed of all sacred places. The entire region of Kashmir is described as a Maha Teertha in Nilmat Purana, with every inch of land akin to a Teertha. Sharada Peeth was regarded as a great center for learning. Alberuni mentions Devi Sharada in his account of the most famous idols of the Hindus, right after the image of the Surya Deva at Multan, Vishnu Cakraswamin of Thanesvar and the Linga of Somnath (Kalhana’s Rajatarangini, 1900/2007).

Kalhana’s Rajatarangini indicates that people from various regions of the modern-day India would come to Kashmir for pilgrimage and/or studies. There were special Mathas for people from different regions. Sharada Desh Kashmir was known as Second Benares for the kind of knowledge and learning that emanated from the region. The impact of Kashmiri researchers, philosophers, scholars, and practitioners in various fields of study has contributed to human civilization in various forms. Several works like “Contribution of Kashmir to Sanskrit Literature” by Dr K S Nagarajan (1970) substantiated the contribution of Kashmir in the areas of Poetics, Poetry, Philosophy, Tantra, ancient Indian History-writing etc.

Aalankaarikas from Kashmir have contributed the largest number of paradigms of Sanskrit poetics such as the theories of Rasa, and kaavyaatma /kaavyajeevita paradigms of Dhvani, Vakrokti and Auchitya, among others. What came to be known as Kashmir -Shaivism is the most robust overarching system of theory and practice that has impacted the Shaakteya, Sri Vidya, Kerala Tantra and several other traditions of theory and practice, throughout the length and breadth of our sacred geography. Through the work of Abhinavagupta, the polymath from Kashmir, this system became the integrator of multiple fields such as Shaastras of Naatya, Kaavya, Yoga, Vedanta, and Tantra.

Adi Shankara from Kerala made Sharada Peetha of Kashmir as his final destination of digvijaya yaatra. While leaving an indelible mark on Kashmiri people’s spiritual culture, he brought Sharada and Chandramauli from Kashmir to the four Aamanaaya Peethas established by him in the four corners of India.

To celebrate the integral significance of Kashmir for the rest of Bharat and vice versa, INDICA is organizing a conference in the month of September 2022. This is a call for papers from students, scholars, experts, and public intellectuals. The conference is being curated by Dr. Nagaraj Paturi, Senior Director – INDICA and Dimple Kaul, Servant Leader – INDICA Courses.

We invite papers focusing on the theme of the conference, across various fields of study such as History, Philosophy, Linguistics, Literature, Art etc. Participants could also share their research on specific sub-themes such as the contribution of Kashmir to Sanskritik civilization, Kashmir Shaivism, Energy centers in Kashmir, Shiv Sutras etc.

 

Guidelines for paper submission

Author

Include name (spelled out as it would be cited), affiliations and e-mail addresses and contact numbers after the paper title (the contact details (email/mobile number) will not be published but may be needed as contact information during the process).

Abstract

  • Abstracts of the paper should cover just the proposition and /or argument of the paper succinctly
  • It should not exceed 500 words
  • Please use Times New Roman, font size 12 with 1.5 line spacing
  • The abstract should be accompanied with a list of references that are going to be used in the paper, and /or a pointer to an existing published work, theory argument which the paper is supporting, extending, or countering a response
  • The selected papers are going to be published on INDICA Today after the conference. An acceptance for the same should accompany the abstract
  • An assurance that the paper has not been published or will not be published on any other platform should also accompany the abstract
  • Submission must be emailed, latest by June 30th, 2022, to namaste@Indica.org.in with the subject line: Conference on Kashmir – Cultural Epicentre of Bharat

 

Paper and Presentation

  • The last date for the submission of papers for the selected abstracts is August 15th, 2022
  • There is no world limit for the selected paper
  • Please use Times New Roman, font size 12 with 1.5 line spacing, APA style sheet
  • Selected papers will be presented in the conference scheduled on the 16th & 17th of September 2022. The venue of the Conference will be announced in due course
  • The duration of each presentation will be 15 minutes, including Q&A. Selected presenters will have to prepare their decks accordingly

Reference List

  • Please follow APA formatting for in text and end references. Include a reference list at the end of the paper so that readers can make full use of the citations
  • Include all works that are cited in the chapter and that have been published (including on the Internet) or accepted for publication. Personal communications and unpublished works should only be mentioned in the text
  • Entries in the list must be listed alphabetically

Permissions

If the paper includes any excerpts from copyrighted works (including websites) such as illustrations, tables, animations, or text quotations, it is necessary for the author to obtain permission from the copyright holder (usually the original publisher).

References

Kalhana’s Rajatarangini (M. A. Stein, Trans.; Vol. II). (2007). Gulshan Books. (Original work published 1900)
Kumari, Dr. V. (1968). The Nilmat Purana – A Cultural and Literary Study of a Kashmiri Purana (First, Vol. 1). J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages.

 

Prana…Breath and Music

Musicians – vocalists and instrumentalists – must pay great attention to their breath on a day-to-day basis. It shapes phrases, their tonal control, endurance and posture. Pranayama plays a dual role in musicians- keeping their energy levels and mind calm. Various forms of Pranayama teach the right technique of breathing and help to make use of the abdominal muscles. These include Ujjayi Pranayama, Brahamari pranayama, Nadishodhana pranayama. 

Join Dr Jayashree S Bhat and Smt Sudha Ragunathan on 21st April, 2022 at 6.30 PM IST where they bring their expertise in the right form of breathing for musicians.