Religion 840:
Bhakti Yoga
Tue/Thur, 9.15-12.15
Heldrick Science Center, Douglass Campus
Instructor: Edwin Bryant.
Tel: x 23289. E-mail: <edbryant@rci.rutgers.edu>.
Office Hours: Tue Loree 108, 1.30-2.30 PM.
Course Description and Objectives:
This course will consist of a reading of 10 books of the Bhagavata Purana, the most
important of the 18 major Puranas of Hinduism, focused on the theology and practices of
Vaishnava bhakti. The course will consider the lives of the great saint exemplars of the
tradition, examine the theologies and practices associated with Krishna devotion, and
encounter the traditional narrative pertaining to Krishna’s incarnation. The course will
conclude with a 16th century apologetic text promoting the Bhagavata as the highest
scripture.
Course Prerequisites: None.
Course Requirement: All assigned reading. A mid-term exam (20% of the total grade),
final exam (30%), and research paper (8-10 pgs, 40%) due the last day of class (a handout
pertaining to this paper will be made available). Students' attendance record and overall
performance in class will factor into the remaining 10% of the grade. Students are expected
to read whatever material is assigned for each particular week, and be prepared to discuss this
in class. Any student called upon who has obviously not done the assigned reading will lose
grade points. Any student using a cell phone in any way during class will lose points.
Computers are allowed for note taking, but any student using the computer for any other
reason, such as checking email, surfing the web or going on Facebook, will lose grade points
and no longer be allowed to bring the computer to class (and I will check up from time to
time!). Any student wishing to bring the computer to class for note taking must sit in the
front row of the class.
No make-ups for missed exams will be given without valid medical
proof or a signed letter from a student dean.
Required Reading
Available at the Douglass Coop:
Bryant, Edwin Krishna: The Beautiful Legend of God: Srimad Bhagavata Purana Book
X. London: Penguin, 2003.
Available on electronic reserves on Sakai:
Tagare G.V. trans The Bhagavata Purana part I, II & III (books I-IX) New Delhi:
Motilal Banarsidass, 1976
Das Satyanarayana. The Tattva Sandarbha of Jiva Gosvamin. .
Week I.
Focus: Introduction to the course.
Week II.
Readings: Bhagavata Purana Book I, chapters 1-13
Week III.
Readings: Bhagavata Purana Book I, chapters 14-19. Book II, entire
Week IV.
Readings: Bhagavata Purana Book III, chapters 1-17.
Week V.
Readings: Bhagavata Purana Book III chapters 18-33.
Week VI.
Readings: Bhagavata Purana Book IV, chapters 1-17
Week VII.
Readings: Bhagavata Purana Book IV, chapters 18-31
Mid-Term Examination
Week VIII.
Readings: Bhagavata Purana Book V, entire
Week IX.
Readings: Bhagavata Purana Book VI, entire
Week X.
Readings: Bhagavata Purana Book VII, entire
Week XI.
Readings: Bhagavata Purana Book VIII, entire
Week XII.
Readings: Bhagavata Purana Book IX, entire
Week XIII.
Readings: Bhagavata Purana Book X, introduction and part I, chapters 1-14
Week XIV.
Readings: Bhagavata Purana Book X, chapters 15-49.
Week XV
Readings: The Tatttva Sandarbha of Jiva Gosvami
.
All term papers due on the last day of class.
Final exam: May 8th 8-11.00 AM Heldrich Science
Building.