Bhakti Śāstrī at Simhachalam

Course Description:

"In this way you have to understand, by studying carefully the philosophy. We have got so many books now and I want all of my disciples to read them carefully. Soon we shall be instituting Bhakti Śāstrī examinations and all brahmanas will have to pass. So utilize whatever time you find to make a thorough study of my books."

(Letter from Śrīla Prabhupādaa to Upendra, 7th July 1976)

We have designed the Bhakti Śāstrī course for those devotees who have sincerely practiced Krishna consciousness and want to systematically study Śrīla Prabhupāda’s Bhagavad-gītā, Śrī Īśopanisad, Nectar of Devotion and Nectar of Instruction. This course will not only enhance your sāstric knowledge and understanding and thereby make you more determined to practice Krishna Consciousness, but will also make you capable of imparting Gaudiya Vaishnava principles to the society.

The Bhakti Śāstrī Diploma will be awarded to qualified students from the ISKCON Board of Examination.

Time frame of the course  (Tentative Plan):

• Module 1:   Sept 23 - Oct 20, 2024
• Module 2:   Sept 15 - Oct 13, 2025

Course Content:  Detailed study of Bhagavad-gītā, Śrī Īśopanisad, Nectar of Devotion and Nectar of Instruction

Course Materials:  Bhakti Śāstrī Students Handbook

Assessment Plan:  6 Closed Book Exams, 6 Sloka Recitation Tests, 12 Open Book Exams and Class Attendance

Teachers:

• H.G. Kanai Krishna Das
• H.G. Damodara-priya Dasi
  
• H.G. Brajsundar Das

Pre-qualifications for applying to the course:

• 16 years or older.

• According to the guidelines of the ISKCON Board of Examination, to qualify for the Bhakti Śāstrī degree, students must chant at least 16 rounds of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra daily and follow the four regulative principles.

• For better understanding, we humbly request you to read all the four books, Bhagavad-gītā, Śrī Īśopanisad, Nectar of Devotion and Nectar of Instruction before you start studying these books deeply with us and take full advantage of the course.

• Since the course would be in English, knowledge of the English language is mandatory.

• According to the rules and regulations of the ISKCON Board of Examination, you must have 75% attendance in the live sessions to obtain the Bhakti Sastri degree. 

• You must submit a letter of recommendation from an ISKCON authority (your spiritual master/GBC member/temple president/co-president) who knows you well, attesting to your character, sadhana, brahminical inclinations and that you are well engaged in the preaching mission of Lord Caitanya. Mahaprabhu for at least the previous 12 months. Please download the recommendation letter format from below link:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1T-BEsVGsT3tQMvD3WGlsLA4nhl3H_hCA/view?usp=sharing 

• You have to submit the same in this google form with other details:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSckk3f6nRCrcQMClOBQwWOToSNWRycc4CCrPewMpPCMuzsfJw/viewform?usp=pp_url

Please note that your admission will not be confirmed unless we receive this letter of recommendation. 

* IMPORTANT NOTICE:   The course and prasādam are FREE for all students. Students only pay course registration fee, 19 Euros, and  15 Euros per night for their accommodation in temple ashrams. The temple guesthouse is also available at other prices.

 For more details contact:

• Govinda Dev Das,  +49 1514 218 7856
• Vrindaranya Gopal Das,  +91 74569 15334