Hey, there’s a Subhashita for that!

This comprehensive course will be taught by Smt. Rashmi Kashi in a 26 lecture series. The topics addressed with subhashitas are – intellect, knowledge, virtue, character, wealth, society, discipline, friendship, conduct, leadership, courage, nobility, speech, gratitude, pleasure/pain, love, kindness, parenting, food habits, parenting, giving, desire, teacher/teaching, student-hood, and many more.

The very word ‘subhashita’ means well spoken. Sanskrit subhashitas are concise and profound thoughts presented in the form of couplets. They are beautiful, simple and stand-alone verses that are excerpts from various texts.

If Sanskrit language is an ocean, its literature are the shells; Subhashitas are the pearls hidden inside them! So, instead of having to dive into the ocean and looking for pearls, this Course brings a pearl necklace that is ready to wear. The acumen gained can instantly be applied in real life.

Subhashitas are compact and yet so powerful. They dive deep into the realm of cultural wisdom handed down to us through the generations. These life-altering words of practical astuteness are a collective genius that help shape our lives. Like proverbs and adages, these are power-packed nuggets of experience from many people from many eons. They are time-tested and timeless articulations that are applicable to anyone in any generation or era.

They can be attributed as preparatory steps for learning scriptures, because, to learn the scriptures purity of mind (chitta-shuddhi) is essential. Subhashitas pave the way to attain chitta-shuddhi.

There are many authors for the subhashitas and we may not always know the sources. Same verses can be seen in different texts and can have variations with words or the examples given. We may find parallel proverbs or adages to these subhashitas in many local languages as well.

Sanskrit is the most intricate of languages that has its own mechanism to express a concept precisely, yet in variety. Knowledge and practical advice in the subhashitas are the content. It is carried in a container called Sanskrit. We will be focusing on the content rather than the container. Hence we will not be getting into grammar and language intricacies.

What You will Learn

• Introduction to the vast subhashita literature
• Learn verses on varied real-life scenarios
• Inculcate values quickly and easily
• Character building
• Improve lifestyle
• Attain better peace of mind
• Close to 200 subhashitas will be taught along with meanings and their real-life applications
• Understand that whatever be the situation, “there’s a Subhashita for that!”

Why should I do this Course?

This course is designed for the young and old alike! The verses and values discussed here can be understood and applied readily by anyone at any age. It is never too early or too late to imbibe these universal values.

These are the best self-help guides that are simple and practical, crisp and clear and yet profoundly deep to enable meaningful changes in our lives.

Requirements

• Genuine interest to learn and improve oneself
• Prior knowledge of Sanskrit can be helpful, but not necessary

Course Details and Duration

• The course comprises 14 lessons, 26 video/audio sessions and 14 objective type questionnaires.
• The recommended duration for completion of the course is 4 to 5 months.

Course Access, Query Resolution Process, Grading and Certification

• Students can access the course following the User Guideline document that is also sent to registered students to their email address.
• Students have to attempt the lessons sequentially. For each lesson the student should watch the audio or video file and then attempt the questionnaire.
• All questionnaires are objective based and on completion of each Lesson/ questionnaire the marks and grade for that lesson will be displayed to the student on the dashboard.
• Students can download the answer key on completion of a questionnaire.
• In case of queries or doubts on the subject matter students are encouraged to use the discussion forum. Details of the same will be sent to students on registration. A detailed query resolution process guideline will also be provided.
• The Course is deemed complete on completion of all lessons /questionnaires, and a final grade will be awarded.
• Grading system for certification.
• 80% and above 'O' Grade
• 60% and above 'A+' Grade
• 50% and above 'A' Grade
• Below 50% 'B' Grade

• Those who successfully complete the course will be given a ‘Course Completion Certificate’ of merit signed by Pujya Swami Swaroopananda, Head of Chinmaya Mission worldwide. The digital copy of the same will be sent to your registered email ID.

How do I purchase the Text?

The subhashitas taught in this course are provided as a PDF. The same will be available on the dashboard of the registered student.

Students are recommended to purchase the 3 volumes of Sanskrit Pearls books written by Smt. Rashmi Kashi. These books contain all the verses covered in the course and many more for continued learning. The books will have all the verses, transliteration, meaning and an elaborate exposition of the verses in English. 

To purchase the books, click this link – Sanskrit Pearls Books. Books are available both in India and USA. (Links for specific countries are on the left-hand side of the blog page in the link above).

Students are also advised to purchase Sukti Sudha for further reference. This book is an English translation of more than 3000 Sanskrit adages, culled from traditional sources and everyday wisdom, arranged under topical heads in alphabetical order.