Statement of the objective of the Course
I) To inculcate into the students the values of Indian culture as they
were followed by exemplary personalities like Swami Vivekananda
and some other modern Indian sages who either influenced him or
were under his influence.
II) To highlight the significance of our traditional values for generating
peace and harmony in man and society.
III) To sensitize the students to the values of service, sacrifice and
selflessness in our times when materialism, consumerism and
selfishness is at its peak.
I) To inculcate into the students the values of Indian culture as they
were followed by exemplary personalities like Swami Vivekananda
and some other modern Indian sages who either influenced him or
were under his influence.
II) To highlight the significance of our traditional values for generating
peace and harmony in man and society.
III) To sensitize the students to the values of service, sacrifice and
selflessness in our times when materialism, consumerism and
selfishness is at its peak.
OUTLINES OF TESTS, SYLLABI AND COURSES OF READING FOR
CERTIFICATE COURSE FOR ONE YEAR IN VIVEKANANDA STUDIES FOR
THE EXAMINATION OF 2012.
Paper I: Life and Works of Swami Vivekananda
Max. Marks: 100
Time: 3 Hours
Instructions for Paper-setters/Examiners and candidates
1. The syllabus has been divided into four units
2. There shall be 9 questions in all and all questions will carry equal marks.
3. The first question (compulsory) will be a short answer type question
containing 15 questions spread over the whole syllabus. The candidates
shall be required to attempt only 10 questions to be answered in about
25-30 words, each carrying 2 marks.
4. Rest of the paper shall contain 4 units, each unit having 2 essay type
questions. The candidates shall attempt at least one question from each
unit – 4 in all. Each question will carry 20 marks.
UNIT – I
1. Sri Ramakrishna and his impact on Swami Vivekananda; Historical
background of Swami Vivekananda’s mission. Global and Indian
Situation at the time of Swamiji’s birth; Conflict of religion and Science in
the West and Swamiji’s resolution of this conflict
2. Life of Swami Vivekananda – his travels in India and aborad, his return
and activities for National regeneration.
UNIT – II
3. An introduction to the system of Vedanta
4. Practical Vedanta
UNIT – III
5. Divinity of Man
6. The Four Yogas
7. Harmony of Religions
UNIT – IV
8. Swami Vivekananda’s views on
i) Caste, Society and Politics
ii) Art and Literature and Aesthetics
9. Swami Vivekananda’s views on Man-making Education
10. The Message of Swami Vivekananda for the upliftment of masses,
women and youth.
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ESSENTIAL READINGS:
1. Outlines of Indian Philosophy by Hiriyanna, George Allen and Unwin
(India) Pvt Ltd, 1973.
2. Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, Tr. Into English by Swami Nikhilananda, Sri
Ramakrishna Math, Madras, 1942.
3. Life of Sri Ramakrishna by Advaita Ashram, Mayavati, Champawat,
Himalayas, 2005.
4. Teachings of Sri Ramakrishna, Advaita Ashram, Kolkata, 2005.
5. Sayings of Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Ramakrishna Math Printing Press,
Mylapore, Chennai, 2005.
6. Life of Swami Vivekananda by Eastern and Western Disciples (two
volumes) Advaita Ashram, Mayavati, Champawat, Himalayas, 2004.
7. Four Yogas of Swami Vivekananda, Condensed and Retold by Swami
Tapasyananda, Advaita Ashram, Kolkata, 2005.
8. Lectures from Colombo to Almora, Advaita Ashram, Kolkata, 2005.
9. Talks with Swami Vivekananda, Advaita Ashram, Kolkata, 2005.
10. My India: the India Eternal by Swami Vivekananda, Ramakrishna
Institute of Culture, Calcutta, 1993.
11. Education, Compiled from the speeches and writings of Swami
Vivekananda by T.S. Avinashilingam, Ramakrishna Math, Mylapore,
Madras, 2004.
12. Our Women, Advaita Ashram, Kolkata, 2005.
13. To the Youth of India, Advaita Ashram, Kolkata, 2005.
Further Readings
1. History of Ramakrishna Mission and Ramakrishna Math, Swami
Gambhirananda, Advaita Ashram, Mayavati, Champawat, Himalayas,
1983.
2. Ramakrishna Movement by Swami Budhananda, Advaita Ashram,
Calcutta, 1994.
3. Chicago Dharma Maha Sabha aur Sri Ramakrishna Bhavadhara by
Swami Brahmeshananda, Ramakrishna Mission Ashram, Ranchi, 1993.
4. Sri Ramakrishna Vachanamrita, Mahendranath Gupta, Vol 1 & 2,
Ramakrishna Math, Nagpur, 2000.
5. Sri Ramakrishna Lilamrita, by Sri Narahar Ramachandra Paranjape,
Ramakrishna Math, Nagpur, 2002.
6. The complete Works of Swami Vivekananda, Advaita Ashrama,
Calcutta, 1963.
7. Vivekananda: His Gospel of Man-Making with Garland of Tributes by
Swami Jyotirmayananda, Madras, 1986.
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Paper II: Vivekananda and Sages of Modern India
Max. Marks: 100
Time: 3 Hours
Instructions for Paper-setters/Examiners and candidates
Part - A : 50 Marks
1. Paper-II is divided into two parts
Part - A and Part – B each carrying 50 marks.
2. In Part – A there shall be 9 questions in all. The first question
(compulsory) containing 15 questions spread over the whole syllabus
shall be of short answer type. The candidate shall be required to
attempt 10 questions to be answered in about 25 – 30 words, each
question will carry 1 mark.
3. Rest of the paper will be set from the whole syllabus and shall contain 4
units. Each unit will have 2 essay type questions and the candidate
shall be given an internal choice of attempting one question from each
unit. Each question will carry 10 marks.
Vivekananda and Sages of Modern India
UNIT – I
1. Life and work of Sri Ramakrishna.
2. Life and work of Ma Sri Sharada.
UNIT – II
3. Life and work of Sri Aurobindo.
UNIT – III
4. Life and work of Sri Anandamayee Ma.
UNIT – IV
5. Life and work of Sri Raman Maharishi.
6. Life and work of Swami Rama Tirtha.
Suggested Readings
1. The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna: Abridged Edition, Sri Ramakrishna
Math, Chennai, 2002.
2. Sri Ramakrishna: A Biography, Swami Nikhilananda, Advaita Ashram,
23rd impression, Advaita Ashrama, Mayavati, 2006.
3. Life of Vivekananda and Universal Gospel by Romain Rolland, Sri
Ramakrishna Math, Mayalapur, Chennai, 2001.
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4. Ma Sri Sarada Devi by Swami Gambhirananda, Advaita Ashram,
Calcutta, 2004.
5. Be as You Are: The teachings of Sri Raman Maharishi, Ed. David
Godman, Penguin Books, 1985.
6. The Teachings of Sri Aurobindo by M.P. Pandit, Sri Aurobindo Study
Circle, 1959.
7. Mother as seen by Her Devotees, Shree Anandamayee Charitable
Society, Bhadaini, Varanasi, 1976.
8. Parables of Swami Rama Tirtha, Rama Tirtha Pratisthan, 1972.
Further Readings
1. Life and Teachings of Sri Ma Anandamayi by Bithika Mukerjee, Sri
Satguru Publication, Division of Indian Books Centre, Delhi, 1997.
2. Reminiscences of Sri Sarada Devi Compiled and Edited in Bengali by
Swami Purnatmananda, tr. by Maloti Sen Gupta, Advaita Ashram,
Kolkata, 2004.
3. The teachings of Raman Maharshi in His own words by Arthur Osborne,
Sri Ramanasram, Tiruvannamalai, 2002.
Part B: 50 Marks
Term Paper
or
Project Work
With the approval of the Co-ordinator of the Centre, the candidates can choose to
write a Term Paper or take up a Project-work on any of the important aspects of
Swami Vivekananda's thought. Further details will be available with the coordinator
of the Centre.
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