Bhakti-Śāstrī Guidelines
The Saranagati Bhakti Śāstrī Course Goals of the Bhakti-Śāstrī Course:
1. Encourage students to regularly read Srila Prabhupada’s books.
2. Foster a comprehensive understanding of the basic philosophy.
3. Promote the development of good character. ["Study of the Vedas is not meant for the recreation of armchair speculators, but for the formation of character." (Purport, Srimad Bhagavad Gita 8.28).]
4. Deepen faith in Krishna and enhance the practice of Bhakti through knowledge.
5. Instil a service-oriented attitude.
Student eligibility to be awarded the Bhakti Sastri certificate, candidates must pass all modules and certify that they chant 16 rounds of japa daily and follow the four regulative principles at the end of the program. However, this does not preclude candidates from registering for the course. Module completion certificates will be issued to all registrants who pass the modules.
Course Completion Requirements
The course consists of six modules, each approximately three months in duration:
Module 1 – Nectar of Instruction
Module 2 – Sri Isopanisad
Module 3 – Bhagavad Gita Chapters 1-6 (Includes Setting the Scene, Preface, and Introduction)
Module 4 – Bhagavad Gita Chapters 7-12
Module 5 – Bhagavad Gita Chapters 13-18
Module 6 – Nectar of Devotion Chapters 1-19
[Students may begin the Bhakti Sastri course with any module.
Course Load:
- Twice-monthly, instructor-led classes
- 1.5-2 hours Daily reading: At least 15 minutes (totaling 1.5 hours per week)
- Weekly assignments: Approximately 30 minutes
- Weekly service: At least 30 minutes
- A commitment of 4.5 hours per week should enable students to successfully complete the course.
Evaluation Criteria:
40% Open book questions assessing depth of understanding, application, and values related to the themes and content of the four Bhakti Sastri books.
- Required answers should be in essay form or composed of several paragraphs, totaling at least 7,500 words.
- Higher order cognitive questions on the application of philosophy will constitute 50-60% of these questions, evaluating personal integrity, evaluation skills, preaching application, and personal acceptance.
- No more than 20% of submitted answers may be directly copied from other sources.
50% Closed book tests
Answering at least seventy-five short-answer questions:
- 45 on Bhagavad Gita,
- 15 on Nectar of Devotion,
- 10 on Nectar of Instruction, and
- 10 on Sri Isopanisad.
- Recitation from memory the original Sanskrit text and
- approximate meaning of at least 45 verses from the four Bhakti Sastri books.
- 10% Personal Vaisnava behavior, punctuality, sadhana, extra-curricular service, cooperative mindset, and ability to function as part of a team
Assessment Area / Minimum Passing Level / Remedy for Failure
—Open book assessment / 60% in each unit (see also Note 1 below). / Failed papers may be resubmitted
—Closed book assessment / 65% in each unit (“) / The student can again sit for a (different) test. However, where student’s scores are less than 50% or where the answers represent a serious lack of clarity in the subject matter, they should retake the classes and closed book assessments for the unit.
—Sloka assessment 65% in each unit (“) / The student may apply for a time extension of up to 18 months from the date of initial assessment for achieving a passing level, which may be granted at the discretion of the Lead Instructor.
Personal Behavior Adequate None
Attendance 75% for each unit (see also Note 2 below) Retake the unit
Note 1: The following are the “units” for Bhakti Sastri:
(1) Sri Isopanisad,
(2) Nectar of Instruction,
(3) Nectar of Devotion,
(4) Bhagavad-gita broken into three units. (Chapters 1-6, 7-12, and 13-18.)
Note 2: This attendance requirement may be waived for senior devotees with the permission of the Board of Examinations.