Essence of Bhagavat Gita

Even if 25% of the DYS attendees become interested in spiritual life, you are a grand success. In the fast paced modern times, nobody wants an eternal weekly program. Keeping this in mind, we have come up with the following five courses (the first course is almost same as DYS, only the Quizzes are exhaustive). You can launch course after course and you will see audience responding very nicely. Everyone likes a time-bound course after which they get a certificate.

Essence of Bhagavad Gita - Five short-term Certificate courses through Weekly Study Circle

Course books

  • ‘Essence of Bhagavad-gita’ five courses series, for ‘Siddhanta’ or philosophy
  • Vaishnava Etiquette Manual published by ISKCON, Shri Shri Radha Gopinath mandir, Near Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, 7, K.M.Munshi marg, Chowpatty, Mumbai-400 007 Phone: (022) 2369 7228, rgsevaka@vsnl.net
  • ‘Devotional Practice’ and ‘Vaishnava Culture’, Introductory Course Student Handbook, Contact: Sita Rama prabhu, Bhaktivedanta Manor, Hilfield Lane, Aldenham, Watford WD25 8EZ, U.K.
For the students who have completed DYS course given before, they can directly go to EBG, Course 2 namely ‘Positive Thinker’ (Spirit of Bhagavad gita) course. The ‘Discover Your Self’ book was originally designed for college youth with a skeptical mind and the following ‘Spiritual scientist’ course book can be used for Girls VOICE, Family programs etc as the same content is presented in a more simplified manner here. If the students who have obtained DYS Certificate are eager to obtain the ‘Spiritual Scientist’ certificate, then they have to complete the Quiz and Examination requirements of ‘Spiritual scientist’ course.
The series on ‘Spirituality for the Modern Youth’ consisting of the four books ‘Discover Your Self’ ‘Your Best Friend’ ‘Your Secret Journey’ ‘Victory over Death’ can be used by teachers for the following purposes :
  • For additional information to teach the following courses
  • For additional topics to be taken during camps and outings
  • For giving morning programs for the serious students
The following five courses on ‘Essence of Bhagavad gita’ make the teaching very easy for the teacher and the syllabus easy for the student to grasp.

I. Spiritual scientist (Discover Your Self) - Duration: 3 weeks, weekly twice

The course helps one to scientifically discover one’s real identity and one’s relationship with the Supreme. A material scientist knows only the atom; a spiritual scientist knows the soul, which is spiritual. This knowledge helps him find goal, mission and vision of life.
Introduction to Bhagavad gita

  • Material problems, Spiritual solutions
  • Getting the eyes of Knowledge
  • Vedas – the privilege of Humanity
  • Science of Soul
  • Different platforms of Worship

II. Positive Thinker (Spirit of Bhagavad gita) - Duration: 4 months, weekly once

This course helps one with the Positive spirit needed to tap the powerful message of Gita. It helps one to identify a divine guide in your life and to obtain the necessary qualifications to become a cheerful positive thinker in life by knowing the sublime truths.

  • Identifying my divine guide
  • Spirit of Bhagavad gita
  • Qualifications of an ideal Disciple
  • Reincarnation – fact or fiction?
  • Evolving towards Perfection
Sadhana and Sadachar topics
  • Practical Devotional Service
  • Etiquette within the Temple
  • Habits and Behavior
  • Four Regulative Principles
  • The Four Don’ts to Freedom

III. Self Manager (Basics of Bhagavad gita) - Duration: 6 months, weekly once

This course teaches not the art of managing men, machine, material, market and money, but managing ones own life by a holistic approach that combines knowledge of God’s position and practical application of mantra meditation.

  • Peace Formula
  • Who should be the object of my worship?
  • God and gods
  • Is God Personal or impersonal?
  • The Art of Self Management
Sadhana and Sadachar topics
  • Hearing and Chanting
  • Deity Worship
  • Tulasi Worship
  • Learning Meaning of Morning program Songs
  • Holy Days
  • Serving and Honoring Prasadam
  • Dress and Appearance
  • Missionary Activities
  • Dealing with Parents, Relatives and Friends

IV. Proactive Leader (Secret of Bhagavad gita) - Duration: 6 months, weekly once

This course prepares one to become a Proactive Leader. All of us at some moments or the other, become victims to anger, lust and pride and feel sorry for our un-exemplary behaviour. The Proactive Leader is a thoughtful person who gives a positive spiritual response, by knowing what is illusion opposed to reality and the resultant effects of all types of action.

  • The three ropes that bind us
  • Surpassing Maya
  • Our lost home – Kingdom of God
  • Karma – the law of infallible justice
Sadhana and Sadachar topics
  1. ISKCON’s Cultural Identity and its connection to the Vedas
  2. Varnasrama Dharma
  3. Ethics and Morality
  4. Sadhana
  5. Position of women in Vedic culture
  6. Relating to Devotees with due Respect

V. Personality Development (Essence of Bhagavad gita) - Duration: 6 months, weekly once

Personality development is not a superficial change. We are generally covered over superficially by our acquired qualities like Experiences, Abilities, Memories, Learning, Habits and Beliefs etc. But the innate qualities of the soul like Peace, Love, Truth, Happiness, Humility, Tolerance are hidden. When we awaken the innate qualities of the soul, they come out in the 4 R’s of our life-- in the various Roles that we have to play, the different Routines that we go through, the Responsibilities we have to shoulder, and the various Relationships that we care for. The innate qualities are brought out when one’s personality is truly developed.

  • Essence of Bhagavad gita
  • Creation and Universal Time
  • Different types of Yoga system
  • Practical Application of Bhagavad gita
  • Passing the Final Exam
Earlier the ‘Essence of Bhagavad gita’ was published as a bulky jumbo-size volume and it was two one-year courses. This becomes too much for the modern day people leading fast paced life. Keeping this in mind we had made it into the above five courses. Each course lasts for only a few months. There are also separate ‘QUIZ BOOKS’ available for each of the above courses. We can inspire the students to buy both the Course book and Quiz book at the start of the course. Once they complete the book, send them for the final exam and give off certificates in a function and encourage them to join the next course.

Method of Evaluation and Reward for any of the above mentioned Five Courses
  1. The marking will be done as follows:
    • 50% weightage for the marks obtained from:
      • EBG Course Quiz, BG As It Is Quiz, Storyline Quiz, etc.
      • EBG and BG Quiz will have to done by each student individually, while the Storyline Quiz has to be done in groups.
      • Full marks for Storyline Quiz will be given for those attended it. We are not keeping individual marking for it as Storyline quiz is subjective.
    • 30% weightage for the Final Exam
    • 20% for Practical lifestyle and behavior, Attendance, Punctuality and Participation in the weekly classes
  2. Certificates could be issued based on the following criteria:

    Passing marks : 60%,
    Distinction : 80% and above
    Honors : 90% and above,
    High Honors : 95% and above

Candidates who get 60% and above will receive a Certificate of Recognition.

Method of Evaluation and Reward for any of the above mentioned Five Courses
  • simple books presenting the teachings of Srila Prabhupada with simple examples, stories and illustrations gradually developing the philosophy of KC
  • Can be used for teenagers, boys, girls and families.
  • A systematic Syllabus based on the MTE (Manor Training and Education) manual, London and the VOICE syllabus used for teaching our students in the last ten years which have thoroughly researched from Srila Prabhupada’s books on the most essential items to be learnt by a beginner.
  • Helpful in coaching candidates, evaluating them before recommendation for Diksha or Initiation.
  • There are quizzes at the end of each lesson in this book to solidify the understanding of the concepts. There are also quizzes based on ‘Bhagavad-gita As It Is’ by Srila Prabhupada. This is to ensure that the student gets the advantage of Prabhupada vani.
  • NOTE FOR PREACHERS: The following are available for your help:
    • Audio Lectures of the EBG 1 book by Director, VOICE to guide in teaching EBG1.
    • ANSWERS to ALL the EBG Quizzes to help you in correcting the answers.
    • Color Slide shows for some chapters.
All these resources can be of immense help to Preacher organize the EBG Course very easily and get the students started in spiritual life. After the EBG courses, the students can start studying Bhagavad gita, Srimad Bhagavatam and Chaitanya Caritamrta.

Eligibility to start and join these courses
  • For joining one course, the candidate should have completed attending the previous course. This should be certified by his Preacher.
  • Some of the most important requirements for joining this course are regularity for the weekly meeting, punctuality, submission of assignments, receiving the knowledge seriously, developing a personal rapport with the teacher and applying the knowledge in every day life.
  • Attending to tests and assignments without fail.
  • The Preacher should be authorized by the Director as a Member of the ‘Preachers Forum’ or at least the ‘Trainee Preachers Forum’.
  • For a Preacher to start a ‘Weekly Study Circle’ there should be at least 5 students.
  • The candidates have to buy the COURSE WORK BOOK for writing answers. Or they can be allowed to write answers on a separate white page.

VOICE