Tattvabodha – Basic

Tattvabodha, authored by Adi Shankaracharya is a prakarana-grantha, an introductory or topical text. Tattvabodha defines all the terms and terminologies used in the Vedanta Shastra, even while presenting the essence of Vedanta in a simple question-answer style. Tattvabodha thus is a comprehensive ‘book of Vedantic definitions’. This text is a must study for all students seeking a thorough clarity of the Vedanta Shastra.

A total of 20 video sessions by Swami Advayananda, divided into 11 lessons, are made available to the registered students. The presentation is detailed and comprehensive and will benefit students who wish to start their study of Vedanta on a strong foot.

What You will Learn

• Sadhana Chatushtaya – the preliminary qualifications required for the study of Vedanta
• Layers of our personality – the three bodies and the five sheaths
• The three states of experience – waking, dream and deep sleep
• The nature of Reality
• A peep into creation and the concept of maya
• Analysis of the individual (jiva) and the Lord (Ishvara) and mahavakya Tat tvam asi
• The Man of Realisation – Jivanmukti and Videhamukti

Why should I do this Course?

Tattvabodha is one of the preliminary texts to be studied on Vedanta that provides basic definitions of the Vedantic terminologies that are essential prior to entering the study of other prakarana-granthas, as well as treatises such as the Bhagavad Gita or the Upanishads. It therefore serves as a good foundation text to one’s study of Vedanta.

The Svadhyaya Series offers two courses on Tattvabodha – Basic and Advanced.

• The Basic Course will benefit students who are new to the study of Vedanta and wish to embark on the study or have just been initiated into Vedanta.
• The Advanced Course is meant for students with a certain amount of knowledge of Vedanta, but wish to delve deeper into the Vedantic concepts and gain further clarity. It is not a prerequisite to complete the Basic Course to enrol for the Advanced one. To register for the Tattvabodha – Advanced Course, please click here.

Requirements

• Keenness to understand the fundamentals of Vedanta for delving into the deeper texts
• Good internet connection
• Knowledge of Sanskrit is not a prerequisite

Course Details and Duration

• The course comprises 11 lessons covering 20 video sessions and 11 objective type questionnaires.
• The recommended duration for completion of the Tattvabodha-Basic course is 4 months. The suggested maximum duration is 6 months.

Course Access, Query Resolution Process, Grading and Certification

• Students can access the course following the User Guideline document that is also sent to registered students to their email address.
• Students have to attempt the lessons sequentially. For each lesson the student should watch the audio or video file and then attempt the questionnaire.
• All questionnaires are objective based and on completion of each Lesson/ questionnaire the marks and grade for that lesson will be displayed to the student on the dashboard.
• Students can download the answer key on completion of a questionnaire.
• In case of queries or doubts on the subject matter students are encouraged to use the discussion forum. Details of the same will be sent to students on registration. A detailed query resolution process guideline will also be provided.
• The Course is deemed complete on completion of all lessons /questionnaires, and a final grade will be awarded.
• Grading system for certification.
• 80% and above ‘O’ Grade
• 60% and above ‘A+’ Grade
• 50% and above ‘A’ Grade
• Below 50% ‘B’ Grade

• Those who successfully complete the course will be given a ‘Course Completion Certificate’ of merit signed by Pujya Swami Swaroopananda, Head of Chinmaya Mission worldwide. The digital copy of the same will be sent to your registered email ID.

How do I purchase the Text?

A copy of Tattvabodha, with the commentary of Swami Tejomayananda, published by Central Chinmaya Mission Trust (CCMT), is recommended. You may purchase the same by clicking the following links:

Tattvabodha (English)

Tattvabodha (Hindi)

Or Contact: Sri M. Jayaraman Nair
In-charge, Chinmaya Vani,
Chinmaya International Foundation (CIF)
Ph: +91 92077 11138
WhatsApp: 9207398313
Email id: cifpublications@chinfo.org

Course Details

Tattvabodha Basic Course comprises 11 lessons.

• Lesson 1: Introduction
• Lesson 2: Mangalcharana and Anubandha-chatusthaya
• Lesson 3: Sadhana-chatustaya
• Lesson 4: Adhikhari, Mumukshutva, Tattvaviveka

Click here for a detailed Course Content

Course Contributors

Sumedha Kulkarni
Arvind Kannan

Home Study Course Scholarship Initiative

Envisioned to be a platform to impart knowledge, CIF has always made it a point to make the courses accessible to all the sincere seekers. Students, who are keen to pursue a particular course but have difficulty affording the course fee, can send an email to the homestudycourses@chinfo.org stating the same. They will be given financial assistance to enrol for the course based on the genuineness of request, keenness to study and eligibility.

One can also be a part of this noble venture by contributing to the Home Study Course Scholarship Fund. To know more, send an email to the homestudycourses@chinfo.org.

For Queries

The Administrator – Home Study Courses
Chinmaya International Foundation, Adi Sankara Nilayam
Veliyanad, Ernakulam District, Pin – 682313, Kerala, India
Mob: +91 9207711140
(Mon–Sat, 9 AM to 5 PM IST)
E-mail: svadhyaya@chinfo.org