Course Objectives

The Śāstra classes prepare the students to:

1. understand, defend, and apply Śrīla Prabhupāda's presentation of the teachings of his predecessor-ācāryas and Vaiṣṇava śāstra;

2. develop a well-rounded understanding of Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings as reflected in his mood, mission, emphasis, and balance;

3. help align their understanding and practice of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, and their desires and beliefs with Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings.

4. quote extensively from the Sanskrit text of the Bhagavad-gītā and the portion of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam under study, and confidently unpack their meaning.

Students will also be prepared to:

1. recognize the devanāgarī script.
2. accurately pronounce and recite Sanskrit texts.

The introduction to Sanskrit prepares the students to:

1. Translate simple texts from Sanskrit to English;
2. Be able to understand the Sanskrit text of the Bhagavad-gītā to a reasonable extent.