On September 28, 2004, popular online teacher Caitanya Chandra Dasa will be launching a study group on Vedanta Philosophy according to the teachings of Srila Prabhupada.

“In this course, we will study Vedanta philosophy from the Vaishnava perspective, including the Vedanta-sutra, based on the Govinda Bhasya of Srila Baladeva Vidyabhusana and the different Upanisads,” said Caitanya Chandra Dasa. “As far as I know, it’s the first time in ISKCON that such a course has been offered.”

Noting the significance of this study, Caitanya Chandra said, “Srila Prabhupada planned to write a commentary on the Vedanta Sutra and even wrote an introduction for the book, but unfortunately, he didn’t have time to finish this work. All our previous acaryas were well-versed in Vedanta philosophy and were thus capable of defeating Mayavada, as well as other philosophies with ease, and Prabhupada showed that he considered it important for us to study it.”

“Although we can get everything from Prabhupada’s books, studying Vedanta philosophy can better ground our understanding. In short, Prabhupada gives all important philosophical conclusions in his books. Still, often, we don’t understand the logical process that leads to these conclusions, and thus we are not able to properly sustain them when challenged. This can lead to the incorrect characterization that ‘Prabhupada spoke only the ABCDs.'”

Caitanya Chandra concluded, “The study of Vedanta philosophy can give us this basis, as well as a better understanding of logic and critical ability that is essential to properly understand difficult passages of the scriptures, reconcile apparent contradictions, and so on. Nowadays, it’s very common to see inconclusive battles of quotes between devotees, and often, the cause is precisely the lack of this understanding. Without this capacity to analyze and find the correct conclusions, we can debate unlimitedly and inconclusively even on the most basic points.

Caitanya Chandra Dasa leading kirtan.

The course will begin with two modules:

1- An introduction to Vedanta philosophy, based on the Govinda Bhasya of Baladeva Vidyabhusana

2- An in-depth study of the Taittiriya Upanisad, one of the 11 main Upanisads.

More modules will be announced once these two are completed. The goal is to study all the sutras of the Vedanta Sutra, as well as the eleven principal Upanisads.

Course Details:

The course starts on Saturday, September 28, 2024, at 15:00 IST (Indian time) on Zoom, and will go on every Saturday for about a year. You can join the online sessions, or listen to the recordings at your own pace. You can join on Telegram or WhatsApp:

Telegram: t.me/vedanta4u    –   WhatsApp: bit.ly/vedanta4u

Participants will receive first-hand materials that are part of a new series of books under development that includes translations and commentaries for the Govinda Bhasya and different Upanisads.

While you can join the platform of your choice, the Telegram app preserves the entire history of the discussions, while WhatsApp creates a starting point at the moment you join. The course is free to join, donations are appreciated. 

If you have any questions, please email Caitanya Chandra Dasa.

Other Offerings:

There is also an ongoing course on the Srimad Bhagavatam that has been going on since May. In the Telegram group you can have access to all the lessons starting from the beginning:

Telegram: https://t.me/bhagavatam4u

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/LOrymLQbaaUGaBKntJnmtd

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOOB1UUBLAcRG5DUPKhrUNFFT0k28RUyO

To follow Caitanya Chandra Dasa’s ongoing service, visit his website, Facebook page, and YouTube channel.