Dharmawiki Talks
Dharmawiki Talks is a series of talks on various topics in the Bharatiya Jnana Parampara or Indian Knowledge Systems organised by dharmawiki.org to reach out to inquisitive seekers of Bharatiya Jnana. This is an initiative of the IITB HoneyBee Project and we are thankful to our sponsors Ashok Goel Trust and the Hindu University of America for their continued Support.
Schedule
Samskaras: A Psycho-Social Perspective
The talk focusses on the Psycho-social perspectives associated with the age-old tradition of Samskaras. It begins with an explanation on the Indian concept of Self and connection of the four Purusharthas in this context. The purpose of Samskaras is then explained with the help of examples like Garbhadhana, Vivaha, etc. It emphasizes on their relevance today in terms of how they not only offer solutions to today's social problems but also help in the nivrtti of the individual Self.
Read more at Category:Samskaras
भारतीय पंचांग एवं पाश्चात्य कैलेंडर का समीक्षात्मक परिशीलन
यह व्याख्यान भारतीय कालमापन का खगोलीय आधार, पंचांग के पाँच अंग, पाश्चात्य तथा भारतीय कालमापन के मूलभूत भेद और उनके परिणाम इन विषयों का वर्णन कर संकल्पनाओं का स्पष्टीकरण देता है ।
Rutucharya: Adaptive Lifestyle for Holistic Health
Beginning with the explanation of the terms 'Rtu' and 'charya', the talk explains the concept of Rutucharya in relation to the concepts of time, the Panchamahabhutas, etc. It emphasizes on the integral relationship between man and nature, the importance of elemental balance, the dosha-season relationship, its effect on bodily agni and the need for Rutucharya to maintain that agni in a good state. It throws light on Rutucharya as the natural method to increase host immunity and how this age old knowledge of Rutucharya has been interwoven within traditional practices through an enumeration of the Vasanta Rutucharya.
Shraddha and Bhakti: A Conceptual Exploration
The session begins with an overview of the various contexts in which the term shraddha is discussed in the Bharatiya Jnana Parampara and brings out the vyashti-samashti relation between the concepts of shraddha and bhakti. It explores the intricate relationship between the trigunas, manas and Shraddha, how they influence one's choices and thereby one's actions. That leads to the understanding of shraddha as being indispensable in Dharmic activities like Yajna, dana, tapa and karma. And further establishes shraddha is an absolute necessity for an aspirant of moksha both in the Jnana or Bhakti margas.
Conceptualization of Self: Indian and Western Perspectives
The talk begins with an enumeration of the two levels of awareness ie. empirical and transcendental and explores topics like,
- different facets of the Self viz. atman, jiva and ahankara; how they are interrelated yet distinct
- different layers of the Self viz. Social, Biological, Psychological and Transcendental
- the Indian and Western perspectives of personality
- different aspects associated with Self viz. Sharira Traya, Panchakoshas, Avastha Traya
- Western Perspective of Self through the Freudian theory of Id, Ego and Super-ego
- Indian and Western perspective on the Social Self
The session culminates with a brief comparison of psychological constructs like
And an overview of the upcoming fields of study based on Ancient Indian Shastras.