Firekeepers of Civilization
The Firekeepers of Civilization fellowship program, offered by Bṛhat in collaboration with Dharmansh Foundation (USA) is designed to instill a deep-rooted connection with the Hindu heritage while imbibing learners with the discerning spirit of Dharma Dṛṣṭi.
It aims to develop in the Hindu mind four sets of intelligences: spiritual, cognitive, socio-cultural and political. The fellows will traverse through the works of luminaries such as Sitaram Goel, Ram Swarup, Sri Aurobindo, Swami Vivekananda, etc., among others.
In an age defined by uncertainty, rapid technological shifts, and AI-driven transformation of society, the lens of dharma provides a metaphysics of resilience. It equips young minds with intangible skills such as the ability to reason critically and discern patterns across contexts, cultivate balance and compassion in vision, deep awareness of oneself and multi-dimensional intelligence.
They serve as enduring anchors in decision-making, leadership, and human flourishing when every external frame of certainty is collapsing.
Through reflective and continuous learning, internships and specialized workshops, learners will be able to locate their native civilizational heritage within a rapidly evolving global world, thereby becoming torchbearers and effective contributors to collective wellbeing. Immersive visits to sacred spaces and sites of historical importance, intend to help connect with core spiritual and time-tested dimensions of the Bhāratīya civilization.
The program tackles the primary challenge of reclaiming a living, confident Hindu identity— one that is intellectually rigorous, emotionally grounded, spiritually nourishing, socially empowering and offers a vision of well-being and regenerative living for the self and the world.
DOWNLOAD BROCHURE REGISTER NOW WEBINAR VIDEOSWho is the Program For:
Designed for young Hindus in the USA. Specifically for high-school and college-going learners with:
- Curiosity for civilization and cultural heritage
- Questions about identity, ethics and belonging
- An aspiration to build sustainable and just futures
- A drive to contribute meaningfully to collective well-being
Do These Statements Resonate With You?
As a young Hindu, I want to:
- Be able to represent my religious identity without guilt
- Locate myself and make a meaningful living in a complex world
- Be conversant with my civilizational and religious dimensions
- Have a framework to synthesize my civilizational identity with my US national identity
- Know the true meaning of my culture, rituals and festivals
- Contribute to the well-being of my community and larger society
As a Hindu parent in USA, I want for my child to:
- Imbibe clarity, pride and understanding of Hindu dharma
- Resist cultural erasure and navigate global contexts with rooted confidence
- Learn civilizational tools for self-awareness, self-assurance, critical thinking and resilience
- Articulate cultural ideas confidently in spoken, written and visual formats
- Understand and frame Hindu thought in a way that speaks to modern challenges
- Become part of a meaningful Hindu cultural and intellectual community
Key Learner Outcomes
Develop spiritual, cognitive, socio-cultural and political intelligence.
Create authenticity within and alignment between the instruments of thought, speech and action.
Map the first principles of dhārmika frameworks to contemporary issues.
Know oneself through a study of svabhāva, svadharma and deep introspection.
Enhance interpersonal skills such as ability to collaborate with clarity and humility.
Develop civilizational leadership capacity to imagine, articulate and inspire action for a larger vision.
Our Foundational Philosophy
In a worldview informed by the Enlightenment and Western universalist metaphysics, we have reached the end of our unfettered quest for increasing comfort and economic growth. Paradoxically, we are talking of solving these concerns with solutions from the same worldview that has birthed it. We need an alternative worldview.
Dharma Dṛṣṭi
Backed by a robust ontology, epistemology, axiology and praxis of discovering answers to individual and collective concerns.
Dharma
Moral and ethical foundation - the principles of interconnectedness, interdependence and universal well-being.
Dṛṣṭi
Vision and perspective - the discerning gaze anchored in the principles of dharma.
Diśā
Direction and purpose - direction gained through a vision that is grounded in the principles and ethics of dharma.
Our Pedagogical Approach
Sādhanā
Building the core through reflective and spiritual practices.
Sṛjanā
Networking, creation through research/ projects/internships, immersive travel.
Svādhyāya
Continuous mentorship, reading/ writing, synthesis of learnings, workshops.
Samvāda
Dialogical reflections, study circles, narrative storytelling, QnAs.
Program Structure
Duration: 48 hours (6 months of learning sessions + 1 month of project work)
Component 1: Online Learning Module (Sept 2025 - Feb 2026)
2 Hours | 9 PM - 10 PM EST | Weekend Learning and Weekday Mentorship
Component 1: Online Learning Module (Sep 2025 - Jan 2026)
2 Hours | Weekend Learning and Mentorship
Broad Themes Covered:
- Developing Core Intelligences
- Foundations of Indian Knowledge Systems
- Intellectual Frameworks from Indian Leaders
- Indic Lens to Sustainability, Education and Policy
- Principles of Indian Art and Architecture
- Leadership Principles from the śastras
- Functional Skills for Firekeepers
Component 2: Immersive Field Travel (Dec 2025)
Curated tours that will offer glimpses into sacred kṣetras, and living Bhāratīya traditions like Āyurveda, Yoga, Kalaripayaṭṭu, and indigenous technologies of Indic shipbuilding.
Please Note: The immersive component in India is optional with extra charges applicable. Participation based on selection process. For more details, please refer to the program brochure.
Component 3: Project Work (Feb - March 2026)
Continuing with the online module, project work will cater to develop deeper understanding of civilizational concepts, apply them to real-world situations and build a sound dhārmika lens of looking at global challenges.
Other Key Components
Reading Schedule
A carefully curated, comprehensive list of books will be assigned to the students to read.
Masterclasses
Monthly masterclasses on critical issues in geopolitics, geostrategy, tackling challenges to the Hindu identity and more will be conducted.
Writing Apprenticeship
The fellows will be taught about writing tools and then will be given real jobs to write and hone their skills.
Internships
Field-work and seva in central partner organizations of Bṛhat and specific projects to complete to develop a sound understanding of the dharma-dṛṣṭi lens.
Mentor-Mentee Design
A space for questions, conversations and reflections with assigned mentors as part of the fellowship.
Registration and Selection Process
Step 1: Application and Statement of Purpose
Please fill this form to apply and share your interest with us through this form.
Step 2: Interview with the Bṛhat Team
Once we review your application, we will reach out to you to set up an interview, intended to help us understand your drive and needs from the program better.
Step 3: Fee Payment and Onboarding
After your selection, we will guide you through the fee payment process and complete your onboarding to the program.
Program Fees
Online Learning Module: $975 (Scholarships sponsored by Dharmansh Foundation)
6 Months | 48+ Hours | Knowledge Sessions, Masterclasses, Reflective Activities and Project Work
1-Week Immersive Travel in India: $2250
includes stay, travel and food (airfare not included)
For further details, please write to us at contact@brhat.in
Frequently Asked Questions
This course is designed for young Hindu Americans. If I am an interested adult, can I join?
Yes, interested parents and adults who seek to learn and share this knowledge with the next generation, are welcome to join in, participate and engage. However, to ensure intent fidelity, the program design will primarily cater to young Hindu Americans, while also accounting for the presence of adults.
Any prerequisites that are required to make the best of this program?
None. All we require is a mind that is curious about its Hindu civilizational heritage and aspires to contribute meaningfully to the larger world.
Is the program going to be purely theoretical or will it also involve practise components?
Thought without action is futile and action without thought is dangerous. The Firekeepers program offers both theoretical scaffolding and structure to thought, alongside curated activities and tools to analyze and articulate with confidence and clarity - as a native Hindu and a global citizen.
While this program aims to provide us with civilizational clarity for global futures, will it address burning issues that we face as Hindu Americans and equip us with necessary tools to resolve?
Yes, the program design is contextual to the US lived experience. Through the knowledge sessions, masterclasses and co-created dialogues, it will look at burning issues as also the macro-context within which they are playing out and provide the thought models that is required for you to be aware of to help you discern and articulate effectively.
Aside from that, the USA has many great organizations working on ground on core Hindu issues. The Firekeepers program positions itself as strengthening these existing efforts through provision of a critical civilizational, intellectual and strategic bridge anchored in the rigor of Indian Knowledge Systems. It will also look to provide a list of such organizations for interested youth to engage with in their regions.
What will be the learning objectives for this course?
We aim to:
1. foster curiosity for Hindu civilizational heritage and the interplay between philosophy, history, economics, sociology, policy and leadership.
2. understand patterns across everything that we consume as discourse today.
3. offer frameworks to young people to understand and articulate Hindu identity and stay resilient amid cultural wars.
4. deepen clarity and confidence in creative culltural and intellectual expression.
5. provide a life-long foundation of spiritual, emotional, aesthetic and cognitive intelligences.
6. build a community of like-minded, committed young Hindus.
What added value does the program offer in the era of AI and exponential tech?
As technology shifts rapidly, the cost is human attention and cognition. To combat this phenomena and thriving in the world, our greatest ally is shaping our minds to build deep self-awareness, multidisciplinary thinking and enhance the quality of discernment and consciousness.
The framework and metaphysics of dharma from Hindu civilizational thought, offers this way of seeing, being and doing. The program anchors on Dharma metaphysics to build resilience, metacognitive abilities, inner well-being and more.
How many hours should I be prepared to dedicate per week?
We will have a minimum of 1 lecture every Sunday night (9 PM EST) and a dedicated slot of questions and reflections during the week with the program mentors. We also request you to set aside an hour to assimilate your learnings and engage in specific activities. Therefore, the program demands a minimum of 2-2.5 hours per week.
What does the program fee involve? Is a tax rebate possible?
The program fee is inclusive of program vision and creation, curriculum development and execution, faculty honorariums, preparation of tools and frameworks and program management across a period of 6 months.
It is a subsidized fee made possible through sponsorships from Dharmansh Foundation and calculated based on the tax rebate involved.
Registrants will receive a subsidy letter and a tax deduction letter upon completion of payment.
Are the sessions recorded and for how long will one have access to them?
Yes, the sessions will be recorded and will be available for a period of six months after the course.
Will prior readings be provided?
Prior readings will be provided post the formation of the final cohort before the program begins.
What is the application process?
Please click on the 'Register Now' tab and proceed to fill in the requisite details. You will then receive an email from us on the next steps pertaining to the interview and the payment.
If I require financial aid, what should I do?
Sponsorships will be available based on merit and need. Please write to us at contact@brhat.in and we will take it from there.
Whom should I contact for any form of assistance during the application process?
For any technical concerns and queries, please write to us at contact@brhat.in or leave us a message/give us a call on +91 7506091706/+91 88863 58583.
