Hindu Sacred Texts

Students in this concentration work to develop competencies in the study of Hindu Sacred Texts and their interpretation.  This endeavor includes mastery of Sanskrit and relevant Indian regional languages to enable the rigorous study of the richly variegated categories of sacred texts including the Veda/Vedanta, Purana, Ithihasa, Darsana, Agama, Tantra, Yoga, and Bhakti foundational literature. The commentarial, exegetical, and hermeneutical traditions of the Hindu theological world are examined alongside the original sacred texts. The exploration of diverse classes of canonical texts includes reflection and constructive work on the theological, philosophical, liturgical, devotional, homiletical, ritual, and aesthetic uses of sacred texts and their ongoing interpretation and application.