Delhi University plans to offer courses on Vedic literature, Bhagavad Gita

Introduction to Vedic Literature, Upanishad Parichaya, Dharma and Religion are among the options that the Centre for Hindu Studies, University of Delhi plans to offer to its students as minor electives.
With an aim to expand its course curriculum and provide a wide range of choices to students, the department has proposed to introduce six new elective courses for students who wish to specialise in Hindu studies and are awaiting their approval from the Academic Council of the university.

A meeting of the Academic Council of Delhi University is scheduled for July 12.

These additions are proposed based on the recommendations of the Board of Trustees of the Centre for Hindu Studies.

In addition to the UGC-approved syllabus, the Centre for Hindu Studies now plans to introduce more choices for students by offering papers on various aspects of Hinduism, an official said.

These will also include articles on the Bhagavad Gita for humanity, Hindu thinkers and the Purana Parichaya.

Students who do not wish to study business, political science or computer science as minor electives in addition to their major can benefit from these choices.

“We have offered these electives to make our curriculum more comprehensive and tailored to the needs of students. As a relatively new institution, our effort is to make our programmes comprehensive,” the official said.

In the Introduction to Vedic Literature, students will be introduced to the literary works of the major Vedic and Upanishadic commentators, from the Rigveda to the Vedangas. The optional subject on the Upanishad Parichaya will introduce fundamental Hindutva as analyzed in the Upanishads.

The Bhagavad Gita for Humanity option will acquaint students with fundamental Indian spirituality as described in the Bhagavad Gita, and the Purana Parichaya course will cover Hindu history, culture, geography, architecture and other knowledge systems.

“The Hindu Thinkers course aims to acquaint students with the important thoughts of distinguished Hindu thinkers of ancient and modern times. In addition, the Dharma and Religion course will introduce and develop the fundamental concepts of Hindu adhyatma and dharma, comparing them with Western religious traditions,” reads the learning objective of the proposed electives.

The Centre also plans to introduce two general electives for students who are not majoring in Hindu studies but have chosen commerce, political science or computer science as their majors. These students will be offered courses on Hindu Jivana Drishti and Manovijnana to familiarise them with Hindu studies.

In addition, the Center plans to offer six new interdisciplinary elective courses specifically aimed at political science students.

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