ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS (LONDON) in Examinations on …aofaonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Vedic-Heritage-Studies.pdf · ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS (LONDON) PUBLIC EXAMINATION in Vedic

ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS (LONDON)

PUBLIC EXAMINATION

in

Examinations on Vedic Heritage Studies

Grade 1 to 7 Effective from January 2011 Exams in NZ

Web page: http://groups.msn.com/AcademyofFineArtsLondon

Email: [email protected]

© Copyright reserved No part of this syllabus may be used or reproduced in any form or by any means, or

stored in a database or retrieval system, without prior permission of the Academy.

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ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS (LONDON) PUBLIC EXAMINATION

in Vedic Heritage Studies

Notes on Syllabus for Vedic Heritage Studies

New Syllabus: The attached syllabus should be used from January 2011 examinations, until

further revisions. Theory Exams: Students will have a theory written examination from grade 2 and upwards.

Any Queries and Questions on the Vedic heritage Studies syllabus should be

discussed with the London Academy’s Chief Examiner, Smt. Saraswathy Packiarajah via the FSKNZ with Ananya Chaithanya (Mobile: 021 0582747) or Dr Yogini

Ratnasabapathy (Tel: 09 5292514)

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PUBLIC EXAMINATION in

VEDIC STUDIES Syllabus for Vedic Studies

Grade I (Minimum age to sit for exam - 6 years )

Practical oral examination only 1. Vedic chanting

Ganesha dyana mantra – Ga@an!an tv! Sahan! vavatu Sarve Bhavantu P#rnamada/

2. Slokas Kar!gre vasate Lak`mi Samudra-vasane devi Gange ca yamune caiva Dipa joti/ para*-brahma _ubha* karoti kaly!na _ukl!mbaradharam* Agaj!nana padm!rka* Gurur Brahm! Sarasvati namasthubhya* Namassamastabhut!n!* Namastestu Mah!m!ye Sarvama;gala m!;galye Y!devi sarvabh#teù _aktir#pe@a R!m!ya R!machandraya K$_@!ya V!sudev!ya Vasudevasuta* Karp#ragaura* karu@!vat!ra* Manojav!* m!ruta _a;kara* _ankar!c!rya* _$ti sm$ti pur!n!n!* !dideva namastubhya* prasiida

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VEDIC STUDIES Syllabus for Vedic Studies

Grade I (Minimum age to sit for exam - 6 years )

Grade 1 (contd.)

3. Git! Dy!na _loka – Ya* brahm! Bhagavad Git! Verses Dharmakètre kurukètre Sarvadharm!n parityajya

Theory: (Oral only)

1. Ramayana chapter on B!ak!nda*.

2. Identify the pictures of deities (Ganesha, Shiva and Parvati, Vishnu and Lakshmi, Durga, Sarasvati, Rama and Sita, Krishna, Subramanyam and Hanumaan).

3. Name the vahanas of the following deities: Ganesha, Shiva, Vishnu, Durga, Sarasvati, Subramanyam.

4. Associate festivals with the following deities – Ganesh, Krishna, Rama, Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati,

5. Sanskrit – alphabet (Consonants and vowels)

NOTE: There is no written examination for grade-I.

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Syllabus for Vedic studies Grade II

(Minimum age to sit for exam - 7 years) Practical:

1. Vedic Chanting:

Asatom! sadgamaya Svasti praj!bhya/, Kale varsatu parjanya/ _anno mitra/ _a* varu@a/ Ya_chandas!m$`bho vi_var#pa R!j!dhi r!j!ya prasahya s!hine Natatra s#yobhati na chandrat!raka*

2. Slokas & Stothras Mahavishnu Dyana sloka – _!nt!k!ram bhujaga_ayana* Sarasvati sloka– y!kundendu tu`!rah!radhaval! Smartha Gayathri – yo deva savit!sm!kam dhiyodharmadi Brahm!rpa@a* Gurustrotram Siva Panchakshara stotra by !di _a;kara Gane_a pancharatnam by !di _a;kara

3. Bhagavad gita – The following selected verses from chapter two: 11, 23,27, 37 & 47.

Theory: Written examinations for 60 minutes will be held for the following: 1. Ramayana – Ayodhaya kandam. 2. Festivals – Describe the following festivals. Maha Shivarathri and

Deepavali 3. Describe in brief the following stories from Bhagavatam- Dhruva, Prahllada,

Markandeya. 4. Sanskrit –Joining consonants and vowels, Conjunct consonants. Reading

simple words (2-3 syllable words) Notes 1. Previous Grade’s syllabus should be covered when sitting for this grade.

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2. A written theory examination will be conducted for this grade for 60 minutes

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Syllabus for Vedic studies Grade III

(Minimum age to sit for exam –8 years ) Practical:

• Vedic Chanting: • G!yatri • Da_a :!nti P!>ha :anno mitras Sahan!vavatu Ya_chandas! Aha* v$kàsya P#r@amada/ \py!yantu mam!;g!ni V!;me manasi Bhadra* no apiv!taya Bhadra* kar@ebhi/ Yo brahm!@am

2. Sloka and Stotras

Madhur!`>akam M!rgabandhu stotra Mah!lak`mi stotram Navagraha stotra :r" Subraya@ya Pancaratnam R!ma stotra Yad!kàra-padabhra`ta* Mantra-h"na* Y!ni K!ni ca

3. Bhagavad Git! – The following selected verses from chapter III:

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3, 12, 21, 33, 34, 35.

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Syllabus for Vedic studies Grade III

(Minimum age to sit for exam –8 years ) Grade 3 (contd.) Theory:

Written examinations for 90 minutes will be held on the following topics:

1. Meanings of the grade 1 to 3 practical lessons 2. R!m!ya@a – \ra@ya k!@dam and Ki`kindh! K!@dam will be examined.

3. Avat!ras - Matsya, K#rma, Var!ha, V!mana, Narasimha, R!ma and K$`@a

4. :r" K$`@a story 5. Life history of Adi :a;kara and Vy!s!c!rya. 6. Sanskrit – vocabulary – seasons, months of the year, fruits, flowers, writing and reading of words and small sentences.

NOTES: 1. A written theory examination will be conducted f or this grade for 90 minutes. 2. Previous Grades’ syllabuses should be covered wh en sitting for this grade.


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Syllabus for Vedic studies Grade IV

(Minimum age to sit for exam – 10 years ) Practical: 1. Vedic Chanting:

Medha suktam – verses 1 -5 Durga Suktam verses 1 -5

Nakarmana

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Taitriya Sishy!nu s!sanam - verses 1 - 3


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(Minimum age to sit for exam – 10 years ) Grade 4 (contd.) 2. Sloka and Stotra

Surya narayana vandana- namasavitre dhye savitru manadalam Yama vandana – Yamaya dharamar!jaya Dakshinamurthy stotra

Lalitha pancharatnam by !di _a;kara - verses 1-3 Lalitha Sahasranama – Dyana slokas Lingashtakam - verses 1- 5 Annapurna stotram – verses 1-5

Aditya Hrudayam –verses 1-10

Ganga stotra – verses 1 - 5

Saradha stotra verses 1-5 Thotaka ashtakam verses 1- 5

3. Bhagavad Gita

Chapter 4: Verses- 7, 8 13, 34, 39 Chapter 5: Verses – 3, 7, 18

4. Upanishad

Mantras from Ishavasya Upanishad – 1st, 2nd, 15th, 16th, 17th and 18 th

5. Dwadasa namavali - 12 names of Ga@e_a, :iva, P!rvati, Vi`@u, Lak`m" and S#rya

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Note: Students must be able to read the rest of the verses of chants, slokas and Stotras given in this syllabus.

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(Minimum age to sit for exam – 10 years ) Grade 4 (contd.) Theory: Written examinations for two hours will be held for the following: 1. Meaning of grade 1 to 4 practical lessons and signi ficance of the chants and verses

2. R!m!ya@a Sundar! K!@?a and Yudha k!@?a will be

examined . 3. Vedic disciplines followed with daily activities: E ssential

disciplines that need to be followed by an individu al -Waking up, Bathing, Eating, bef ore studies, sleeping, talking, attitudes towards - parents, teachers and elders.

4. Vi`nu Pur!@a stories – Brahm!’s life-span and the concept of

time. , Vaivasvata Manu’s lineage , Soma vam_a, Ja?a Bharata story, Ribhu’s Advaita j<!na upade_a, Ugrasena r!jya abhièka, Formation of Dv!rak!, Rukmu@i Hara@a, Narak!sura vadha and P!rij!ta hara@a, K$`@a;s marriage, Death of Y!davas, Parikìt r!jya abhièka.

5. Mah! Bh!rata – Story of :akuntal! , Devay!ni, King :!ntanu , Bhi`ma, Kar@a, P!n?avas and Kauravas. Marriage of Bhi`ma, Marriage of Draupadi and Indraprastha kingdom

6. Life history of Atri, Gautama, Jamadagni.

NOTES: 1. A written theory examination will be conducted f or this grade for 90 minutes. 2. Previous Grades’ syllabuses should be covered wh en sitting for this grade.

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Syllabus for Vedic studies Grade V

(Minimum age to sit for exam – 12 years ) (To have completed grade 1 sanskrit examination)

Practical: 1. Vedic Chanting:

Purusha suktham – 5 verses Sri suktham – 5 verses

Maha Mruthyunjaya mantra Mantra Pushpam – 3 verses

Gayatri Mantra on Durga, Lakshmi, Sarasvati, Rudra, Nandhi, Subramaniya, Narayana, Surya 2. Sloka and Stotra: Vishnu sahasranama – Verses 1 to 15 Lalitha Sahasranama – verses 1 to 15 Achuthashtakam Verses 1-4 Kanagadhara stotra – verses 1-4 Kala Bhairava stotra – verses 1 - 3 Mahishasura mardhini stotra – verses 1-4 3. Sloka and Stotra: (contd.) Balamukunda ashtakam verses 1-4 Nirvana ashtakam – 1-4 Shivashtakam – 1-4 4. Works of Adi shankara:

Bhaja Govindam – verses 1-5 Sadhana Panchakam – verses 1 & 2 Soundarya lahari verses – associated with the Nava graha 5. Bhagavad Gita (Any three verses per chapter) Chapter 6: Verses – 1, 3, 5, 6, 17, 19, 26, 34 Chapter 7: Verses – 3, 8, 10, 14, 16, 21 Chapter 8: Verses – 5, 6, 7, 14, 26, 28 Chapter 9: Verses – 2, 4, 10, 17, 22, 24, 26, 27, 34 5. Shodasa Upachara Pooja

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Grade 5 (contd) Note: Students must be able to read the rest of the verses of chants, slokas and Stotras given in this syllabus. Audio- Visual Examination

There will be a half to an hour Audio-Visual exami nation, to be held after the Theory exam. Audio-Visual marks will be awarded as a bonus only to candidates who pass the Theory exam.

Theory: Written examinations for two and half hours will be held for the following: 1. Meaning of practical lessons from grade 1 to 5 and significance of

the chants and verses 2. Mahabharatha stories: Dyutakrida, Pandavas exile in the forest,

Preparation of war, War of Kurukshetra, Shri Krishna and Gita, and End of war

3. Important teachings of the Vishnu, Shiva and Ganesha Purana 4. Saints of recent times: Ramana Maharishi, Sri Ramakrishna

Paramahamsa, Swami Vivekanadha, Tapovana Swami Shivananda, Kabirdas, Tulsidas, Tukkaram, Vallabcharya, Ramanuja, Meerabhai.

5. Important pilgrimage sites and background signif icance of: Himalaya Chardham Vishnu Chardham Dwadasa Jotir Linga Shakti Pithas Kailash Manasarova

6. Different types of vedic meters 7. Vratas and upasanas followed in daily life 8. Short Notes on Upanishads: Katha Upanishad: Prathama valli

Prashna upanashid – Pratama prashna Mundaka Upanishad – prathama and Dwitya kanda

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Grade 5 (contd) 9. Short Notes on Adi shankara’s works – Bhaja Govindam, Sadhana

panchakam

NOTES: 1. All students sitting for the practical exams s hould submit a list of all what is learnt

or covered for the grade and for the previous grade s. 3. At the practical exam, students will have to cha nt or recite what is chosen by the

examiner(s) from the list submitted by the student. 4. Previous Grades’ syllabuses should be covered wh en sitting for this grade. 5. Sight reading will be given by the examiner to r ead Sanskrit transcription of chants

and Stotras. 6. Prepare and submit a Journal (scrapbook) at the exam. Marks will be allocated for

the Journal which should be hand written.

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Vedic Studies Syllabus for Vedic studies

Grade Vl (Minimum age to sit for exam – 14 years )

(To have completed grade 2 sanskrit examination)

Practical: 1. Vedic Chanting:

Narayana suktam – 5 verses Shiva Upasana mantra Namaskara Mantras Mahanarayana Upanishad – selected 5 verses KamoKarshit Manyuhu akaarashit mantra Taittiriya Upanishad – Shiksha valli Ganesha Atharvashirsha Laghunyasam – 5 verses Navagraha suktam – 5 verses Chaturveda mantras – selected chants

6. Sloka and Stotra: Vishnu sahasranama – verses 15-30 Lalitha Sahasranama – verses 15-30 Sri Venkatesha mangalasaasanam -10 verses Govindashtakam –verses 1-4 Sri Vaidyanatha stotra - verses 1-4 Devi Mahatmiyam – 10 selected verses Guru paaduka stotra - verses 1-4

Ardhanadeshwara stotram – verses 1 to 4 Durga ashtakam - verses 1-4 Krishna ashtakam - verses 1-4 Shiva tandava stotra - verses 1-4 Dwadasa jotir linga smaranam – verses 1 - 6 7. Works of Adi shankara:

Shiva manasa pooja 8. Bhagavad Gita (Any three verses per chapter) Chapter 10: Verses – 12, 20, 22, 32, 35, 37 Chapter 11: Verses – 18, 19, 32, 33, 43, 48 Chapter 12 : Verses – 2, 8, 14, 18, 19

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Syllabus for Vedic studies Grade Vl


Grade 6 contd. Bhagavad Gita (contd.)

Chapter 13: Verses – 1, 8, 27 Chapter 14: Verses – 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 24 9. Upanishads

Kena Upanishad selected mantras - 5 Mandukya Upanishad selected mantras - 5

Brahadaranyaka Upanishad selected mantras - 5 Taitriya Upanishad selected mantras - 5 – Brahmananda valli, Brahmananda mimamsa

Mundaka Upanishad: Selected Mantras – 5 Prashna Upanishad: selected mantras - 5

10. Ashtotras – Ganesha, Shiva, Vishnu and Lakshmi,

11. Upasanas - Sandya Vandanam mantras Note: Students must be able to read the rest of the verses of chants, slokas and Stotras given in this syllabus.

Audio- Visual Examination There will be a half to an hour Audio-Visual exami nation, to be held after

the Theory exam. Audio-Visual marks will be awarded as a bonus only to candidates who pass the Theory exam.

Theory: Written examinations for two and half hours will be held for the following:

1. Meaning of practical lessons of grade 6 and significance of the chants and verses.

2. Significance of Ramayanam and Mahabharatha stories and their application to daily life

3. Significance of Bhairava, Dhanavantari, Veerapatra, Gayatri and Dattatreya in vedic philosophy, Shastha.

4. Upa Vedas (Ayur veda, Stapastha veda, gandharva veda, dhanur veda, artha veda etc) and their significance in vedic philosophy

5. Astrology in Vedic philosophy. 6. Importance of following samaskaras in daily life. 7. Essence of Upanishads

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Syllabus for Vedic studies Grade Vl


Grade Vl (contd.) 8. Shada anagas of veda and its importance in the vedic life style – yama,

niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dyana and Samadhi 9. Prayarschita karmas and other essential karmas 10. 20 values 11. Dharma Shastra – smruti, granthas, Yagyavalla, Gautama 12. Conduct of a Ganesha pooja 13. Short Notes on Works of Adi shankara:

Manisha Panchakam – 1-2 verses Tatva Bodha - selected 5 verses Atma Bodha - selected 5 verses

Viveka Chudamani verses - selected 5verses Soundarya lahari verses selected 5 verses

NOTES: 1. All students sitting for the practical exams s hould submit a list of all what is learnt

or covered for the grade and for the previous grade s. 3. At the practical exam, students will have to cha nt or recite what is chosen by the

examiner(s) from the list submitted by the student. 4. Previous Grades’ syllabuses should be covered wh en sitting for this grade. 5. Sight reading will be given by the examiner to r ead Sanskrit transcription of chants

and Stotras. 6. Prepare and submit a Journal (scrapbook) at the exam. Marks will be allocated for

the Journal which should be hand written.

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Vedic Studies Syllabus for Vedic studies

Grade Vll Seventh Grade - Final year leading to Diploma

in Vedic heritage Studies (Minimum age to sit for exam 15 years – Certificate is awarded a the

after completion of G.C.S.E or equivalent exam) (Note: To have completed grade 3 sanskrit examinati on as sub)

Practical:

1. Vedic Chanting: Sri Rudram/chamakam - 1 st anuvaka and last anuvaka Pavamana suktam – 5 verses

Navagraha suktam – towards 4 planets at least Bhagya suktam – 5 verses Ayushya suktam – 5 verses Devi suktam – 5 verses

2. Sloka and Stotra: Vishnu sahasranama – Verses 30 to 50 Lalitha Sahasranama - Verses 30 to 50 3. Works of Adi shankara:

Panchadasi – selected 5 verses Maatru Panchakam – 3 verses

4. Bhagavad Gita Chapter 16: Any 5 Verses Chapter 17 : Any 5 Verses Chapter 18: Any 5 Verses Note: Students must be able to read the rest of the verses of chants, slokas and Stotras given in this syllabus.

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Syllabus for Vedic studies Grade Vll

Seventh Grade - Final year leading to Diploma in Vedic heritage Studies

(Minimum age to sit for exam 15 years – Certificat e is awarded a the after completion of G.C.S.E or equivalent exam)

(Note: To have completed grade 3 sanskrit examinati on as sub)

Theory 1. Meaning of practical lessons and significance of the chants and verses. 2. 18 Major puranas and their importance in vedic philosophy and in daily life. 3. Yagaya vidhi’s and important steps. 4. Temple rituals and its significance. 5. Vedic Mathematics 6. Shada-anga vedic training 7. Vedic teaching via internet, CD’s and modern facilities. 8. Stapastha Veda and the philosophy from the Vedas. 9. Therapeutic aspects of Gandharva veda. 10. Modern medicine and Ayur veda comparisons 11. Classification of the Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas and ithikasa. 12. Vedantha and Vedic philosophy 13. Shada dharshana philosophies 14. Importance of Veda padasala and Gurukula system 15. Astrology and its applications in temple worship and daily life. 16. Rig, Yajur Sama and Atharva veda and importance of it in vedic traditional

learning. 17. Gandharva veda, sama veda and its contribution to classical Indian music 18. Research in vedic studies 19. Sthapasta veda and sculptures and its applications to modern times. 20. Bharatha sastra and its applications in Bharatha Natyam 21. Musical instruments and its origins from the Veda 22. Valmiki Ramayana and other versions of Ramayana and what they convey to

life in the 21st century. 23. 108 Divya deshams and significance 24. Important devi peetas in India 25. Vedic philosophy and its practices around the world 26. Conduct of a pooja for any deity – principles and essentials 27. Homa vidhana steps and essentials 28. Pithru karma 29. Shiva samhita literature on Yoga 30. Importance of vedic texts and its usage in the 21st century

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in Vedic Studies

Syllabus for Vedic studies Grade Vll

Seventh Grade - Final year leading to Diploma in Vedic heritage Studies

NOTES:

1. Previous Grades’ syllabuses should be covered when sitting for this grade. 2. Prepare and submit a Journal (scrap book) at the exam. Marks will be allocated

for the journal. 3. Conduct a model lesson: Examinee will be requested to conduct a practical lesson

at the exam, on a vedic chant or stotra to a student or students. These students will be provided by the Academy.

4. Theory paper one will be for 3 hours on vedic literature and paper two for two and half hours will be on general vedic heritage topics.

5. A sub- category of Sanskrit or Yoga will be tested at grade 3 level. 6. Candidate should have completed upanayana when appearing for this grade.

Documents

ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS (LONDON) in Examinations on …aofaonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Vedic-Heritage-Studies.pdf · ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS (LONDON) PUBLIC EXAMINATION in Vedic