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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ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS (LONDON) 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 – 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#te`u _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 4

ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS (LONDON) PUBLIC EXAMINATION in 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 Dharmak`etre kuruk`etre Sarvadharm!n parityajya

Theory: (Oral only ) 1. 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.

5 ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS (LONDON) PUBLIC EXAMINATION in Vedic Heritage studies 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 by !di _a;kara Gane_a pancharatnam by !di _a;kara

3. – 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. 6

2. A written theory examination will be conducted for this grade for 60 minutes 7 ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS (LONDON) PUBLIC EXAMINATION in Vedic Studies 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$k`asya P#r@amada/ \py!yantu mam!;g!ni V!;me manasi Bhadra* no apiv!taya Bhadra* kar@ebhi/ Yo brahm!@am

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

3. Bhagavad Git! – The following selected verses from chapter III: 8 3, 12, 21, 33, 34, 35.

9 ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS (LONDON) PUBLIC EXAMINATION in Vedic Studies 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 for this grade for 90 minutes. 2. Previous Grades’ syllabuses should be covered when sitting for this grade.

ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS (LONDON) PUBLIC EXAMINATION in Vedic Studies 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 10

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

ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS (LONDON) PUBLIC EXAMINATION in Vedic Studies Syllabus for Vedic studies Grade IV (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 from Ishavasya Upanishad – 1 st , 2 nd , 15th , 16th , 17 th and 18 th

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

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

12 ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS (LONDON) PUBLIC EXAMINATION in Vedic Studies Syllabus for Vedic studies Grade IV (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 significance 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: Essential disciplines that need to be followed by an individual -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

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

13 ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS (LONDON) PUBLIC EXAMINATION in Vedic Studies 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 Navagraha

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 14 ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS (LONDON) PUBLIC EXAMINATION in Vedic Studies Syllabus for Vedic studies Grade V (Minimum age to sit for exam – 12 years ) (To have completed grade 1 sanskrit examination)

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 examination, 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 significance 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 : : Prathama valli Prashna upanashid – Pratama prashna – prathama and Dwitya kanda 15 ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS (LONDON) PUBLIC EXAMINATION in Vedic Studies Syllabus for Vedic studies Grade V (Minimum age to sit for exam – 12 years ) (To have completed grade 1 sanskrit examination) Grade 5 (contd)

9. Short Notes on Adi shankara’s works – Bhaja Govindam, Sadhana panchakam

NOTES: 1. All students sitting for the practical exams should submit a list of all what is learnt or covered for the grade and for the previous grades. 3. At the practical exam, students will have to chant or recite what is chosen by the examiner(s) from the list submitted by the student. 4. Previous Grades’ syllabuses should be covered when sitting for this grade. 5. Sight reading will be given by the examiner to read 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. 16

ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS (LONDON) PUBLIC EXAMINATION in 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 – 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 17

ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS (LONDON) PUBLIC EXAMINATION in Vedic Studies Syllabus for Vedic studies Grade Vl (Minimum age to sit for exam – 14 years ) (To have completed grade 2 sanskrit examination) Grade 6 contd. Bhagavad Gita (contd.) Chapter 13: Verses – 1, 8, 27 Chapter 14: Verses – 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 24

9. Upanishads selected mantras - 5 selected mantras - 5 Brahadaranyaka Upanishad selected mantras - 5 Taitriya Upanishad selected mantras - 5 – Brahmananda valli, Brahmananda mimamsa Mundaka Upanishad: Selected Mantras – 5 : 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 examination, 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 (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 18 ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS (LONDON) PUBLIC EXAMINATION in Vedic Studies Syllabus for Vedic studies Grade Vl (Minimum age to sit for exam – 14 years ) (To have completed grade 2 sanskrit examination) 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 – 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 should submit a list of all what is learnt or covered for the grade and for the previous grades. 3. At the practical exam, students will have to chant or recite what is chosen by the examiner(s) from the list submitted by the student. 4. Previous Grades’ syllabuses should be covered when sitting for this grade. 5. Sight reading will be given by the examiner to read 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. 19

ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS (LONDON) PUBLIC EXAMINATION in 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 examination 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: – 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. 20 ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS (LONDON) PUBLIC EXAMINATION in 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 examination as sub)

Theory 1. Meaning of practical lessons and significance of the chants and verses. 2. 18 Major 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 21 st 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 literature on Yoga 30. Importance of vedic texts and its usage in the 21 st century

21 ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS (LONDON) PUBLIC EXAMINATION 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 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.