Sri Aurobindo Society, Pondicherry: Sri Aurobindo, yoga, the Mother, philosophy and religion

SRI AUROBINDO FOUNDATION FOR INDIAN CULTURE (SAFIC)
SRI AUROBINDO SOCIETY, PUDUCHERRY, INDIA

Spandana: Feeling the Pulsation of a Divine Language

One Week Intensive Course on Sanskrit

June 5th to 12th, 2011

Introduction

Learning a language is always fascinating. And even more fascinating is learning Sanskrit. Sanskrit, as many conscious learners have experienced, generates joy, clarity, purity and peace. It is indeed a perfect harmonizer that harmonizes the body, mind and soul. It leads to true happiness and fills the heart and mind with a perfect sense of immortality. Its purity draws us, inspires us, and constantly reminds us of the true aim of our life, makes us conscious of the Truth that exists within us. The rhythmic beauty and melody of this language, vibrational purity of its sounds, richness of its phonetic quality, transparency of its root-sounds and their senses, richness of its vocabularies and thought contents, all these have made Sanskrit truly great.

The Rishis of ancient time used Sanskrit as a tool for discovering the true nature of themselves and all that they saw in and around them. Herein lies the sacredness of Sanskrit - it helps to discover the sacredness of life. It has tremendous potentiality to make us realize the divinity within us. It is in this sense that Sanskrit is devabhasha, a divine language, language of Gods.

The most practical value of learning Sanskrit lies in the fact that it trains the mind to think logically, brings clarity of expression, develops intellectual strength, provides keen insight into the meanings of the words. The vibrational quality of Sanskrit has a direct impact on the functioning of the brain, and can help in enhancing memory and the ability to concentrate. Moreover, it helps in the growth of consciousness, has immense power in bringing a greater transformation.

Keeping the above ideal in mind, we are conducting a weeklong intensive course in Sanskrit in which one gets an opportunity to come in contact with this beautiful language in a most natural way through songs, chanting, conversation, activities, games and presentations.

A similar workshop was conducted by us here in the month of January 2011 and was well responded. For the report and feedback of the participants of January workshop please Click here.

Please note: The detailed, final schedule will be sent to registered participants, a week or so before the course. The following list, however, gives an idea about the feel and import of the course. Suggestions are welcome from prospective participants, and we will appreciate any enriching inputs that can be incorporated into the course before sending the final schedule. For any queries or suggestions, please write to the course facilitator.

Course Details
The aim of this weeklong intensive course is to introduce Sanskrit to those who are genuinely interested learning this language, both in its spoken and written forms. The objective is to bring the participants in contact with many beautiful aspects of this language in a most effective manner. Here one can learn not only how to communicate through simple Sanskrit, but also its phonetic system, the basics of its grammar, the chandas, stories and dialogues, chanting and singing in this most beautiful language. The course is open to all age groups and will have the following sessions:

1. Spoken Sanskrit: daily two sessions of one and half hours each for seven days.

    Here, while learning conversational Sanskrit in the most direct and natural ways,
    one experiences the beauty and charm of Sanskrit through songs, humours, dialogues,
    games and many other entertaining modes.

2. Wonders of Sanskrit Alphabet: two sessions of one and half hours each.

    Here one learns the systematic and scientific nature of the phonetic system of Sanskrit language.
    It also tries to give an experience of Pranayama through the sounds of Sanskrit.

3. Chanting and singing of Sanskrit mantras, shlokas and songs: daily one session of one hour for
    eight days.

    Here one learns the principles of right and effective way of chanting, reciting and reading
    Sanskrit Mantras, Shlokas and various other texts. Rules are explained and later illustrated
    by examples.

4. Storytelling, dialogues and nursery rhymes: three sessions of one and half hours each.

    Here, through stories and dialogues, one learns about the various modes of expressions in Sanskrit.
    And also here the participants are going to enjoy singing many nursery rhymes in Sanskrit.

5. Introduction to the basics of Sanskrit grammar: three sessions of one and half hours each.

    This aims at introducing practical Sanskrit grammar in an interesting and fascinating manner
    by providing sufficient examples from the grammatical records of Sanskrit. It also tries to explain
    various elements of grammar in relation to deeper philosophy.

6. Introduction to Sanskrit Chandas or metre: two sessions of one and half hours each.

    The aim here is to make the participants familiar with the principles of Sanskrit Chandas.
    Here one also learns various aspects of Sanskrit Chandas and their deeper values. It explains
    the applicability of the Chandas by linking the study of Metrics with healing, with Pranayama,
    with Nature, with Music, with Mathematics, with the philosophy of creation etc.

In addition to the above sessions there will be one or two multimedia presentations on Sanskrit, Ashtavadhanam or Eight-fold concentration and Bhagavadgita; a few other sessions in which the participants will have fun playing a few games in Sanskrit.

REGISTRATION

Last Date for Registration: April 20, 2011

CONTRIBUTION

We would like each participant to contribute a minimum amount of Rs.2500/- (Rupees Two Thousand Five Hundred) to meet the expenses for the course materials and refreshment at the venue. If someone finds it difficult to make this contribution can write to us, and we will try to find a way to help him/her. The participants have to meet their own expenses for boarding and lodging. We will help in arranging accommodation. A tariff list of guest houses is given at the end of this document. Anyone staying in these guest houses can avail daily food coupon for Rs.20/- (Rupees Twenty) and have his/her breakfast, lunch and dinner in the Ashram Dining Room.

Please download the registration form, print a copy, fill it, include your contribution details and send it to the address given below. You may also email us your completed registration form to reserve your seat and send the payment towards your contribution separately. Please know that your registration will be confirmed only after the receipt of your contribution. For payment you can send a DD or a multicity check or can do it through Telegraphic Transfer. The draft or check has to be made in the name of Sri Aurobindo Society, payable at Puducherry. For other modes of payment please write to us for details.

All correspondence should to be addressed to:

Dr. Sampadananda Mishra
Director, SAFIC

Sri Aurobindo Society
Society House
No. 11, St. Martin Street
Puducherry - 605001
India

Tel : 0413-2336396, 4209612
Fax : 91-413-2330909 / 2334447
M :91-9952888350
Email: sampad@sriaurobindosociety.org.in

Website : www.sriaurobindosociety.org.in

For Guest House Tariff Click Here

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