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Spirituality is not religious study. It is education for life. It is training that helps us
understand ourselves truly. It gives us strength, and helps us comprehend the deeper
realms of knowledge and gain a deeper understanding of the world, our mind and
emotions, as well as those of others. It helps us face life’s challenges with courage and
equanimity of mind. This is why spirituality is known as manasa vidya—the science of
the mind.
We are standing on the threshold of a new era, wherein material science and spirituality
will move forward, hand in hand. One of the main reasons for conflicts in today’s world
is the separation between science and spirituality. Both science without spirituality and
spirituality without science are incomplete.
It is Amma’s prayer that we develop the expansiveness of mind to embrace both
scientific knowledge and spiritual wisdom. We can no longer afford to see these two
streams of knowledge flowing in opposite directions. In truth, they complement one
another. If we merge these streams, we will find that we are able to create a mighty
river—a river whose waters can remove suffering and revitalize all of humanity.
To provide value-based education and mould the
character of the younger generation through a system of wholesome learning,
so that their earnest endeavour to achieve progress and prosperity in life is
matched by an ardent desire to extend selfless service to the society, one
complementing the other.
We envision a world endowed with the wealth of knowledge and the strength of
discrimination. We envision a system, which is a healthy breeding ground for the
sprouting, culturing and dissemination of the whole gamut of knowledge in a righteous
and holistic manner for the well being of humankind.
We envision a human being empowered with wholesome knowledge that makes one an
enabler and an icon in the deep search for the ultimatewisdom. We envision a system
that guarantees interplay and exchange of thoughts, feelings and ideas and imbibe noble
character and human values in the younger generation. We envision an environment
that prepares individuals to build a world of love, harmony and peace, following the
path of Dharma and having a clear direction in every thought and endeavour.
Our Mission
Our Vision
About AMRITA : 4
About the Centre : 6
Programmes Offered : 7
Curricula : 8
Faculty : 12
University Administration : 20
About Mata Amritanandamayi Math : 22
International Collaborations : 26
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Drawing its inspiration, guidance, nourishment, energy, and resource directly from
our Chancellor and world renowned humanitarian leader, Sri Mata Amritanandamayi
Devi (AMMA), Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham (University) has grown into a dynamic,
multi-disciplinary University (www.amrita.edu), with a mission towards solving
the monumental scientific and societal challenges being faced by the world today.
AMRITA offers wide ranging disciplines: Engineering, Medicine and Healthcare,
Biotechnology, Nanotechnology, Business and Management, Arts and Science,
Communication, Education, etc. We also have postgraduate, doctoral, and advanced
research programmes, many of which are being offered in close collaboration and inter-
disciplinary partnerships with some of the foremost universities of international repute
from United States of America, Europe, Japan, and Australia, and through our national
centres of excellence in areas of importance such as, Biotechnology, Nanotechnology,
E-Learning, Cybersecurity, etc. AMRITA has been ranked in the top category, along with
Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore; Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai;
and other leading Universities by the Govt. of India, in a recent review.
AMRITA has been on a steep trajectory to quickly achieve a world-class status. In 2005,
during Prime Minister’s visit to United States, AMRITA architected and lead a consortium
of Indian organizations including the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) to sign
in a landmark Indo-US Inter-University Collaborative Initiative in Higher Education &
Research, with 20 eminent US universities. With strong partnership with highly ranked
universities, AMRITA has been catapulted into global research initiatives.
AMRITA is both young and immensely dynamic, with its fertile environment and
ambience for inter-disciplinary research, and has a unique holistic approach to produce
the best scientists, philosophers, engineers, doctors, managers, entrepreneurs, and
societal contributors in a wide spectrum of fields, all under the superb guidance
and chancellorship of one of the most inspiring leaders of the world today, Sri Mata
Amritanandamayi Devi (AMMA).
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About the Centre
One of the most important dimensions of all round human and societal
development is spirituality. AMMA, by her all-embracing love, compassion, service and
universal motherhood, has given a whole new life, vibrancy, and practical meaning to
Indian spirituality. In order to give the younger generation an opportunity to study,
learn, imbibe, practice, and spread the essence of the wisdom of our scriptures, rishis
and God realized masters, AMRITA has launched a new International Centre for Spiritual
Studies called Amrita Darshanam.
DARSHAN:DEVELOPMENT OF
ALL
ROUND
SPIRITUAL & SOCIAL
HARMONY
ACROSS
NATIONS
Amrita Darshanam, offers various courses to fill up this lacuna of the lopsided
development of our modern educated youth. It aims at providing a complementary
course of education for students to develop better personality as well-developed
human beings with better social sensitivity and community awareness, by providing
the younger generation an opportunity to study, learn, imbibe, practice, and spread the
essence of the wisdom of our scriptures, rishis and God realized masters, through the
medium of Philosophy, Arts, and Culture.
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Programmes Offered
7
I Semester Credits
1. Philosophy in Life: Contribution of Amma 4
2. Indian Philosophy I - An Outline 4
3. Humanities 3
4. Origin and Development of Sanskrit Literature 4
5. Indian Art & Culture I 4
II Semester 1. Contemporary Indian Spiritual Movements 3
2. Indian Philosophy II – Introduction to Sankhya,
Nyaya, Mimamsa (Shad Darsanas) 4
3. Western Philosophy I 3
4. Techniques of Self-Unfoldment I 4
5. Indian Art & Culture II 4
III Semester
1. Harmony in Spiritual Approaches: Integration & Unification 3
2. Scriptures as Manuals of Right Living 3
3. Bhakthi Yoga: Blossoming of Personality 3
4. Techniques of Self-Unfoldment II 4
5. Research Methodology 3
IV Semester
1. Modern Problems and Ancient Solutions 3
2. Indian Art & Culture III 4
3. Major Project/Thesis 9
Total Credits 69
Curriculum forMA in Philosophy, Arts, & Culture
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Curriculum forM.A. in Philosophy and Applied Psychology
I Semester Credits
1. Philosophy in Life: Contribution of Amma 4
2. An Introduction to Indian Philosophy 4
3. Indian Art & Culture 4
4. Origin and Development of Sanskrit Literature 4
5. Studies in Mind and Matter: Paradigms of Psychology 4
II Semester1. Contemporary Indian Spiritual Movements 3
2. Indian Philosophy II – Introduction to Sankhya,
Nyaya, Mimamsa (Shad Darsanas) 4
3. Western Philosophy - I 4
4. Studies in Indian Psychology 4
5. Techniques of Self-Unfoldment 4
III Semester 1. Behavioral and Social Psychology 4
2. Logic and Epistemology 4
3. Western Philosophy - II 4
4. Research Methodology 3
5. Bhakthi Yoga: Blossoming of Personality 4
IV Semester1. Elective -I 3
2. Elective - II 3
3. Elective- III 3
5. Project/Thesis Combined with A-Serve Village Visit 10
Total Credits 77
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Students are required to select three electives. One elective from each topic is
compulsory and the third one can be from either of the topics.
Philosophy Electives Credits
1. Studies in Aesthetic Theories 3
2. Socio Political Systems 3
3. Indian Logic 3
4. Philosophy of Religion 3
5. Philosophy of Upanishads (Textual Study) 3
6. Fundamentals of Ethics 3
7. Environmental Ethics 3
8. Business Ethics 3
9. Bio-Medical Ethics 3
10 Computational Aspects in Sanskrit Knowledge 3
Applied Psychology Electives
1. Behavior Modification 3
2. Counseling Psychology 3
10
Curriculum for Ph.D.
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Dr. A. Ramaswamy IyengarHead of the Department
Dr. A. Ramaswamy Iyengar has worked as lecturer in Sanskrit since 1971, Served as
Teacher Fellow Centre of Advanced Study in Sanskrit, University of Poona, 1977-80.
He has served as Reader and HOD of Sanskrit, NMKRV College, Bangalore, 1980-89
and as Associate Editor, Encyclopedic Sanskrit Dictionary Project, Deccan College Post
Graduate Research Institute, Pune, 1989-91. He worked as Principal and Professor of
Sanskrit, SSMRV College, 1992-97. He was also the Director of Chinmaya International
Foundation, M.G.University, Kottayam, Kerala, 1997-2003; he is also Director of
Vidyasagara Prof. M. P. L. Sastri, Indological Library and Research Centre, MES College,
Bangalore, since 2004.
Email: [email protected]
Faculty
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Dr. Premeela GurumurthyHoD - Art & Culture
Dr. Premeela was the President and the Chairperson of the School of Fine and
Performing Arts, Professor and Head, Dept of Indian Music, Member Syndicate (2007-
2010), University of Madras. She started to perform Karnatic music concerts from the
age of 12 and learned various genres of music. She has also specialized in multi lingual
devotional music in languages such as Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Marthi, Hindi
and Gujarathi. She completed her Ph.D in Kathakalakshepa, a study in which she not
only researched the art of storytelling in the States of Maharashtra, Tamilnadu, Kerala,
Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka but also learned the art to perform musical discourses
from veterans of the art such as Embar Vijayaraghavacharya and Smt.C.Banni Bai. As a
musicologist her specialization is in the areas of ancient Tamil Music, composers and
the History of Music.
Dr. Amitabhan K.Associate Professor
Dr. K. Amitabhan came to Amrita in the year 2011 with more than
20 years of teaching experience at M.A. College Kotamangalam
affiliated to Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala. He obtained his M.A. in Hindi Language
and Literature in 1987, M.Phil. in 1989 and Ph.D. in 1997 from Cochin University for
Analysis of Ramacharitamanas on the basis of Bhakti Sastra. He has given spiritual
talks in many temples in Kerala and in many centres of M.A. Math. He has been an
Associate Professor in the Department of Cultural Education of Amrita University in the
Amritapuri Campus.
Email: [email protected]
Dr. Anand S.Assistant Professor
He completed his Post Graduation in Adwaita Vedanta from
the University of Kerala and has currently submitted his Ph.D.
thesis titled ‘Upakhyanas in the Upanishads- A study’, in the
University of Kerala. He is currently serving as Assistant professor in the Department
of Humanities. His research areas include Studies based on the Philospohy of Sri Mata
Amritanandamayi Devi and her practical approach on Vedanta Philosophy, Comparative
Philosophy, Indian Philosophy and Modern science.
Email: [email protected]
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Prof. Sriram Ananthanarayanan received his B.Tech in Electrical
Engineering from IIT Bombay in 1991 and M.S. in Electrical and
Computer Engineering from University of California, Irvine in 1995. After more than a
decade of R&D in world-class technology companies, he joined Amrita University in
2005 as a faculty member. Pursuing his passion for philosophy, he wrote his doctoral
thesis on the poetic works of Sri Ramana Maharshi. His current research and teaching
is focused on the application of India’s ancient spiritual wisdom in the modern era, as
exemplified by Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi.
Prof. Sriram AnanthanarayananHoD - Humanities
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Dr. P.R. Padmakumar has completed his postgraduate degree in
philosophy from Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam. He has
done doctoral degree in ‘Philosophy of Mind’ from University of
Madras, Chennai. Out of keen interest he has done a two year Postgraduate diploma in
Yoga Therapy from University of Madras .He is passionate to teach Indian Ethics.
Dr. P.R. PadmakumarAssistant Professor
Dr. Sripad H. GhaligiAssistant Professor
Dr. Sripad H Ghaligi, has a PhD in Yoga Psychology, (Bhagavdgita
and Yoga sutra) from Mysore University. He has done M.Sc
in Yoga at SVYASA University and M.A in Samskritam. He also
studied Veda, Vedanta and Yoga in traditional Gurukula System from Veda Vijnana
Gurukulam, Bangalore. He is the Member of Board of studies in Division of Yoga-
Spirituality, SVYASA University, Bangalore. Referee/Reviewer of International Journal of
Yoga- Philosophy, Psychology and Parapsychology, teacher’s resource book preparation
committee (Yoga) Dept. of State Education Research and Training (DSERT), Bangalore, &
Honorary Acharya in Veda Vijnana Gurukulam. He has also been a resource person to a
number of spiritual and cultural organizations.
Email: [email protected]
Dr. Upadyayula K. V. SarmaAssistant Professor
Dr. U. K. V. Sarma joined Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham
Ettimadai, as a faculty in the Department of Cultural Education
in July 2013. He obtained Ph.D in 2012 for his dissertation entitled “Planetary Models
Expounded by Bhāskara, Mādhava and Nīlakantha”. After getting Ph.D he got an
opportunity to explore and work in the area of Natural Language Processing in the
department of Computer Science and engineering, IIT Bombay. Hailing from a lineage
of Vedic scholars, he also learnt Karma-Yajurveda under the tutelage of his own father.
Email: [email protected]
Swami Sharadananda is an Acharya in Chinmaya International Foundation. Prior
to joining the Chinmaya Mission, Swamiji studied various Indian spiritual disciplines
including Vedanta & Yoga from different ashrams and institutions like Sivananda Ashram,
Rishikesh; Bihar School of Yoga, Munger, etc. A post graduate in Advaita Vedanta, he
ranked first at an All India level and was awarded a gold medal from the prestigious
Sanskrit University, Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan, New Delhi. Formerly known as Br.
Samvid Chaitanya, Swamiji received Sannyasa-diksha from Pujya Guruji on Sivaratri,
2014. Swami Sharadananda joined Chinmaya International Foundation in March 2014.
Swami SharadanandaVisiting Faculty
Dr. Padma SubrahmanyamMember - Board of Studies
Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam is an Indian classical Bharata Natyam dancer. She is also a
research scholar, choreographer, music composer, musician, teacher and author. She is
well known as the developer and founder of the dance form ‘Bharata Nrithyam’. She
has a bachelor’s degree in Music, a Master’s degree in Ethnomusicology, as well as a
Ph.D. in Dance. Dr. Padma has received many awards including ‘Padmashri’ in 1981,
‘Padma Bhushan’ in 2003, ‘Sangeet Natak Akademi Award’ (1983), Kalaimamani Award,
Kalidas Samman from the federal government of Madhya Pradesh, Nada Brahmam,
Bharata Sastra Rakshamani, Nehru Award from the Soviet Union, Fukuoka Asian Culture
Prize from Japan.
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Mr. Nandakumar Menon is currently as senior Physical Therapist
specialized in rehabilitation of patient’s with orthopedic
diagnosis and surgeries. He is also a wound care specialist charged with the evaluation
and treatment of diabetic and vascular wounds. He has done his Graduate Studies in
Religious Ethics, from Harvard University; Masters in Physical Therapy, from Loma Linda
University, California; Bachelors in Sciences and Sanskrit. He has also studied Veda and
Vedanta, Vedic Sanskrit, Classical Sanskrit. He is also received the title of Yoga Shiromani.
Nandu MenonAdjunct Faculty
Dr. P. Ramanujan Visiting Faculty
Dr. Ramanujan is the Associate Director (IHLC), at Centre for Development of Advanced
Computing. He is also the Group Coordinator of Indian Heritage Group (IHG) at the
Centre which is engaged in activities related to Sanskrit and Vedic Processing in
Computers. He has proficiency in Gurukula system, Taittireeya KrishnaYajurVeda,
Vyakarana, Vishishtadvaita Vedanta & Nalayira Divya Prabandhams (4000 devotional
songs) of Alwars in Tamil. He has been awarded various titles, including “VEDA VARIDHI,
“VEDA VIJNANA SIROMANI”, “VAIDIKA BHUSHANAM”. He has also been appointed as
“ASTHANA VIDVAN”, by Sri Ahobila Mutt in 1999. He was awarded “SAMSKRITA MITRA”
Puraskar by MHRD in Aug. 2003 in recognition of remarkable services rendered for the
cause of Sanskrit through IT.
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Centre Co-ordinatorsBrni. Meera S.R.She completed her Post Graduation in Adwaita Vedanta from the University of Kerala and did her M.Phil. from the University of Madras. She is currently serving as Assistant Professor in the Department of Humanities. Her research areas include Studying Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi’s philosophy and its practical implementation; Women’s studies, Indian culture and Epics in Sanskrit. Email: [email protected] | Ph: +91 94960 12703
Dr. Anand S.Assistant ProfessorEmail: [email protected]: +91 85890 04288
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In 2003, Amma, the chancellor appointed Dr. P. Venkat Rangan as the Vice Chancellor of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham. Previously, Dr. Rangan founded and directed the Multimedia Laboratory and Internet & Wireless Networks (WiFi) Research at the University of California, San Diego, (UCSD)
where he served as a Professor of Computer Science and Engineering for 16 years. He is an internationally recognized pioneer of research in Multimedia Systems and Internet E- Commerce. In 1996, Dr. Rangan became one of the youngest faculty members to be awarded the Full Professor position at the University of California - just 7 years after his Ph.D. from U.C. Berkeley in 1989. Dr. Rangan has over 75 publications in International (mainly IEEE and ACM) Journals and Conferences, and also holds over 20 US Patents.
Dr. P. Venkat Rangan Vice Chancellor
University Administration
He has an engineering degree from REC Kurukshetra University.
He played the lead role in the establishment of Amrita University
and looks after large scale humanitarian projects of the Mata
Amritanandamayi Math.
Brahmachari Abhayamrita Chaitanya
Pro-Chancellor
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Swami Amritaswarupananda, the Vice Chairman of the
Mata Amritanandamayi Math, is the senior-most disciple of
Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi. He holds a post-graduate
degree in western and Indian Philosophies. He is the author
and compiler of many books about Amma and her teachings,
including a biography and a series called Awaken, Children!
His latest book, The Color of the Rainbow, is about how to
bring compassion into leadership positions.
Swami Amritaswarupananda PuriPresident
Br. SudeepDirector, Amritapuri campus
Dr. Krishnashree AchuthanDean, Post-graduate ProgrammesShe also heads the Centre for Cyber security Systems
and Networks and Amrita Technology Business Incubator
(Amrita TBI) at Amrita University. She is also the Co-
Director of Indo - U. S. and International Initiatives at
Amrita University. She is an ardent researcher actively
involved in research projects that have stemmed from
research centres at Amrita like Amrita Centre for Cyber
security Systems and Networks, Amrita TBI and so on.
She pursued her Ph. D. in Computer Science from Amrita
University and authored a research thesis titled Wireless
Sensor Network to Detect Rainfall Induced Landslides.
Her research work was instrumental in deploying the
first ever Wireless Sensor Network system capable of
issuing landslide warning. She has an M. B. A. in Systems Management and Financial
Management from Amrita University. She completed her B. Tech. in Production
Engineering from Kerala University. She also serves as the Director and Associate
Professor of the Amrita Centre for Wireless Networks & Applications.
Dr. Maneesha V. RameshDirector, Amrita Centre for International Programmes
Br. Sudeep joined the Mata Amritanandamayi Math in the
early 1990s. As the Director of the Amritapuri Campus of
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, he has been functioning
as the Chief Mentor of the Campus since its inception
and has been instrumental in its fast development as an
institution of higher education and research.
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Mata Amritanandamayi Math, is an international charitable organization aimed at the
spiritual and material upliftment of humankind, headquartered at Amritapuri, which
is the spiritual home for Amma’s monastic disciples and hundreds of householder
devotees. All the residents have dedicated their lives for realising God and serving
the world. Everyday, Amma’s children from across India and abroad flock here to have
Amma’s darshan. She sees each and every one, listens to their worries, consoles,
encourages, provides new direction to their lives.
Built up on the very property where Amma was born, Amritapuri is the living example
of the ancient Indian ideal “the whole world is one family” (vasudhaiva kutumbakam).
Here you will find people from all parts of the world — speaking different languages and
having different customs and religions — all living under one roof.
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The Ashram: a Place for Spiritual Unfoldment
In the beginning the ashram was simply Amma’s family’s house. The handful of
brahmacharis slept on the sand under the stars. Amma had a small hut built next to the
parents’ house, which doubled as a kitchen, in which she slept with the earliest female
disciples. Darshan took place in the family cowshed that Amma’s father had allowed to
be converted into a small temple. This first temple still exists today; it is known as the
Kalari or the Krishna temple and is now used for conducting pujas. Gradually, huts were
added near the parent’s house for the brahmacharis. A proper, yet humble, room was
constructed for Amma. This simple room is still where Amma stays today.
As the number of devotees coming for Amma’s darshan grew bigger and bigger,
it became necessary to construct a large darshan hall. It was then that the beautiful Kali
Temple was erected. It was the first big cement structure to be built and took five years
to finish – from 1988 to 1992 – as the financial means of the ashram were still very
modest at the time. The Kali idol in the temple was crafted in Calcutta as per Amma’s
instructions.
From 2000 onwards, even that temple became too small for the nights with
large crowds, and an enormous hall was erected behind the temple. It is today the
largest such hall in Southern India, with 30,000 sq. feet and no pillars to block the view.
This is where Amma sings bhajans every night and holds darshan regularly now. Indeed,
except for the early Kalari which remains intact, the Amritapuri of today bears little
physical resemblance to the one of the early day.
Today, Amritapuri is a home to more than 3,000 permanent residents, including
monastic disciples and families from all over India and abroad. Inspired by Amma, they
have dedicated their lives to attaining the goal of Self-realization and serving the world.
It is here that they live with Amma, imbibing her teachings, practicing meditation and
participating in selfless service. It is also Amritapuri is also a pilgrimage centre for people
searching for solace, inspiration and inner peace. Thousands of people come to the
ashram every day to experience Amma’s boundless love. Amma makes herself available
day and night to meet everyone who comes, and to advise the disciples and volunteers
managing the many humanitarian projects of Math. Amma leads the evening prayers
and devotional singing. Several times a week, she sits with all the residents in meditation
and holds open question-and-answer sessions on spiritual topics. The ancient traditions
of the Sanatana Dharma is followed at Amritapuri; all the ashram work is attended to
by the residents and visitors themselves. Amritapuri is looked upon by Amma’s many
devotees as their spiritual home and as a fertile field where noble spiritual qualities can
be abundantly cultivated, and the fruit of God-realization reaped.
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