Introduction to Shri Ram Swarup
Śrī Ram Swarup was one of the greatest Hindu thinkers to come out of India in the last century. This course is an introduction to his works and thoughts, leading learners to a better understanding of Bhāratavarṣa and Sanātana Dharma and our place in the scheme of things.
Overview
Contents
Day 1
Inverting the Gaze: A Hindu View of the World
Studying the pūrva pakṣa of the two religions in his books like ‘Hindu View of Christianity and Islam’ and ‘Hinduism and Monotheistic religions’. Books: Hindu View of Christianity and Islam, Hinduism and Monotheistic Religions
Day 2
The Mind of the Other: A Critique of Islam
Understanding the true nature of Islam and Prophetic Monotheism and how the Muslim mind works. This chapter will also deal with the issue of women in Islam. Books: Understanding Islam through Hadis, Woman in Islam, Hinduism and the Monotheistic Religions
Day 3
The Missionary Threat: A Critique of Christianity
Studying the evangelist and missionary nature of Christianity and why it is fundamentally dangerous for Bhāratavarṣa and Sanātana dharma. Books: Hinduism and the Monotheistic Religions, Hindu View of Christianity and Islam, Christianity an Imperialist Ideology
Day 4
Theory and Practice of Communism: A Critique of Communism
Delving deep into the early works of Ram Swarup in which he analyzes the nature of communism and how it can disturb Indian society and culture by weakening it from within. Books: Gandhism and Communism, Foundations of Maoism, Communists after Communism, Red Star over Bengal
Day 5
Hindu View of Buddhism and Sikhism :
Analyzing similarities, problems and conflicts between the two dharmic sects of Hinduism and Buddhism on one hand and between Hinduism and Sikhism on the other. Books: Hindu-Buddhist Rejoinder to Pope John-Paul II on Eastern Religions and Yoga, Buddhism vis-a-vis Hinduism, Hinduism and Monotheistic Religions, Hindu-Sikh Relationship, Meditations: Yogas, Gods, Religions, Whither Sikhism?
Day 6
On Hinduism: Looking upon Ourselves
Studying our own tradition, religion and culture through the most universal of concepts and practices and reflecting upon the reasons of the cultural self-alienation in Hindus. Books: On Hinduism: Reviews & Reflections
Day 7
Meditations: A Sādhaka’s View of the World
Gazing inwards into the greatest yogic tradition of the world, analysing Pātañjali Yoga and its importance in our lives along with analysing the nature of gods. Books: Meditations: Yogas, Gods, Religions
Day 8
Sanātana Dharma and Pagan Religions of the World :
Delving deep into the nature of language; analyzing the connection between speech sounds and consciousness; and finally understanding the mystery of the names of gods. Books: The Word as Revelation: Names of Gods
Session Recordings
Day 1
Inverting the Gaze: A Hindu View of the World
Day 2
The Mind of the Other: A Critique of Islam
Day 3
The Missionary Threat: A Critique of Christianity
Day 4
Theory and Practice of Communism: A Critique of Communism
Day 5
Hindu View of Buddhism and Sikhism
Day 6
On Hinduism: Looking upon Ourselves
Day 7
Meditations: A Sādhaka’s View of the World
Day 8
Sanātana Dharma and Pagan Religions of the World
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Key Takeaways
Svayaṃbodha
Who are we? Every society has to ask this question every time we lose sight of our identity, origin and roots. What does being Hindu mean? What are the universal principles of Hindu dharma? What are the core ideas of Bhāratīya culture and civilization? Shri Ram Swarup has answered all these questions about the fundamental identity of Hindu culture and people. This course will attempt to develop this profound sense of svayambodha, who we are, through the works of Shri Ram Swarup.
Śatrubodha
India is locked in a civilizational struggle with two colonialisms: the European Christian colonialism and Middle Eastern colonialism. It is necessary to understand the theological, institutional and religious inspiration behind them. It is necessary to understand the nature of prophetic monotheistic religions like Islam, Christianity and Judaism and how they are different from yogic traditions like Hindu dharma, Buddhism, Jainism etc. This course will attempt to do it through the works of Shri Ram Swarup.
Respect for Tradition
Dharma makes itself manifest through traditions, customs and rituals. That is why, ever since the Vedas were written in Bhāratavarṣa, rituals have a central importance in Sanātana dharma. But how do these rituals work? How do mantras operate? How do they connect the human to the divine? Śrī Ram Swarup has explained how the Hindu cosmos virtually works and during this while he has explained the deepest of life’s mysteries. This course will develop a deep understanding of the dharmic tradition and will consequently generate respect for the same.
Plan for Pagan Revival
One of the greatest dreams of Śrī Ram Swarup was to revive the pagan, polytheistic traditions all over the world. And it was his firm belief that Sanātana dharma, being a great living tradition is capable of providing a cultural umbrella under which diverse non-monotheistic, non-Abrahamic traditions of the world can unite and also take guidance from. He considered it absolutely necessary for posing a united front against monotheistic colonialisms. This course will advance this path by making you understand the need and plan for the same.
Who is this course for?
- Are you curious about the uniqueness of Bharatiya civilization and how it is different from other great cultures? Are you a Hindu who feels deeply invested in Bharatiya culture? Do you feel that you need to better understand this ancient civilization which is often claimed to be the longest living civilization on earth? Are you curious to know the ways in which Bharatiya civilization is different and distinct from the others? Do you feel there are hostile civilizational forces which want to destroy this ancient civilization? Do you want to do something about it? Then join this course. This course will tell you who we are, and who we are not. It will tell you the most salient points in which the Hindu culture and Sanātana dharma are different from monotheistic cultures. It will also tell in shortest span possible the most fundamental traits of our own culture and civilization. It will tell you what are the universal features and fundamental propositions which makes us who we are.
Know your Instructor
Pankaj Saxena
Pankaj is an author on Hindu temples, arts, literature, history and culture. His writing explains the beauty of Sanātana Dharma through stories about traditions, communities and culture. He has a deep interest in cultural anthropology, evolutionary biology and ecology, and has visited more than 1600 Hindu temples.
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