Mysticism Syllabus revised 1 1 Syllabus Mumbai University by munotes
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Department of Sanskrit
University of Mumbai
Syllabus for the Post-graduate Diploma and Post-graduate
Advanced Diploma Course in Mysticism
Post graduate Diploma Course in Mysticism (w.e.f. 2019 -2020)
1) Eligibility : A candidate for being eligible for admission to the
examination shall satisfy the following requirements
a)S/he must have passed the S.S.C examination conducted by the
Maharashtra State Board of Secondary Education or any other equivalent
board
2) Every student admitted to the course for th e Diploma in Mysticism shall
first register himself as such with the University
3) Duration: 3 hrs a week (once a week, I Academic year, Approx 90 hrs)
4) Fees: Rs. 3,000/ - per student ( for the whole/entire course) + Rs. 500/ -
examination fees for issuing ma rk-sheets and certificates etc
Preamble :
Bertrand Russell, a philosopher who cannot be suspected of sentimentality, or
of soft -headedness, or of a bias in favour of mysticism, wrote in a famous essay
as follows: The greatest men who have been philosopher s have felt the need
both of science and of mysticism (Russell: 1921). The union of Mystic and the
man of Science inspires whatever is best in a human being. Greatest of poets
saints like D nyaneshvar, Mirabai, Kabir and p oet laureates like Rabindranath
Tagore, saintly thinkers like Sri Aurobindo, Gurudev Ranade have been
Mystics.
These Mystic personalities have undoubtedly derived their inspiration from the
Upanisads, Vedanta and Agamic traditions composed or encoded in Sanskrit.
The metaphysical sp eculations regarding God, Atman and Brahman, Maya,
embodied Soul i.e. the Jivataman have been thoroughly discussed in the
Sanskrit sources, which have inspired the thought -processes of many a Mystic.
Apart from Sanskritic Indian traditions, mysticism has been a mode of practice
in different cultures. The beatified saints in Christianity, the Sufi saints of Islam,
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Zen Buddhist tradition have embedded mysticism in th eir practices. Apart from
this, a variety of meditative techniques used for self -realisatio n have firm roots
in Mysticism. One of the greatest role played by Mysticism is that, it has
provided a Spiritual Background to the Renaissance and Reformist movements
during the British Rule.
This course in Mysticism designed at two levels, throws light on Mystics as
well as Mysticism theories of India and also of different cultures. The Diploma
and Advanced Diploma courses offered by the Department of Sanskrit,
University of Mumbai is one of its kind in India .
Syllabus Details :
Diploma in Mysticism
Paper I : Essentials of Mysticism
Topics:
1) Understanding Mysticism: Marks 25
a. Its definition and characteristic s,
b. Principles of Mysticism,
c. Scope of Mysticism,
d. Mysticism and Language,
e. Symbolism in Mysticism
2) Sanskrit texts and Mysticism: Marks 25
a. Vedic ritual and Spiritual literature s
b. Special stress on
i. Upanishads;
ii. Bhagavadgita,
iii. Yogavasishta,
iv. Stotra and
v. Other Bhakti literature
3) Sufism: and Islam Marks 25
a. Personal Interpretation of Divine,
b. Concept of fana, (notion of oneself in the Divinity)
c. dhikr (Remembrance of God)
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d. Different stages to achieve Mystical state
4) Mysticism in: Marks 25
a. Buddhist Tradition –
b. Jain Tradition –
Paper II: Multi -dimensional World and Mysticism
Topics:
1) Mysticism in the West: Marks 25
a. Mysticism in Greek thought –
i. Heraclitus,
ii. Parmenides,
iii. Plato
iv. Spinoza,
b. Metaphysical speculation;
c. Logical differentiation of Mystical experiences,
d. Christian Mysticism Mystics like following will be covered ;
Jewish mysticism and Kabbalah
i. St Teresa,
ii. Thomas Acquinas
iii. St John of the Cross
2) Mysticism and Psychology: Marks 25
a. Neurological Research
b. Morality
c. Visions and Voices,
d. Raptures,
e. Trances and
f. Hyper -emotionalism
3) Mysticism and Saint Literature: Marks 25
a. Compositions of S aint poets
i. Chakradharaswami,
ii. Varkari Saints,
iii. Alvar s,
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iv. Meerabai and
v. Kabir
4) Modern Indian Mystics: Marks 25
a. Ramakrishna Paramahansa,
b. Sri Aurobindo,
c. Gurudev Ranade
Paper -pattern
A. Paper I (Marks 100 Duration3 hrs)
(Out of six questions any four are to be attempted)
1. General Question on the Understanding of Mysticism ---- Marks 25
2. General Question on Sanskrit Texts and Mysticism ---- Marks 25
3. General Question on Sufism ----- Marks 25
4. General Question on Mysticism and Buddhist and Jain traditions ---
Marks 25
5. Critical notes on any two out of fo ur topics prescribed for Paper I ---
Marks 25
6. Critical notes on any two out of four topics prescribed for Paper I ----
Marks 25
B. Paper II (Marks 100 Duration 3 hours)
(Out of six questions, any four are to be attempted)
1. General question on Mysticism in the West ---- Marks 25
2. General question on Mysticism and Psychology --- Marks 25
3. General Question on Mysticism and Saint Literature ---- Marks 25
4. General Question on Modern Indian Mystics ---- Marks 25
5. Critical notes on any two out of four topics prescribed for Paper II ---
Marks 25
6. Critical notes on any two out of four topics presc ribed for Paper II ----
Marks 25
Dissertation : Marks 50
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Post-graduate Advanced Diploma Course in Mysticism (w.e.f. 2020 -2021)
Paper I: Facets of Mysticism
1. Aspects of Mysticism: Marks 25
a. Mysticism and Religious Experience,
b. Nature -Mysticism,
c. Soul Mysticism and Intuitive Mysticism;
d. Extrovertive Mysticism and Introvertive Mysticism
2. Objective Reference and Mysticism: Marks 25
a. Trans -subjectivity,
b. Feeling of Objectivity,
c. Universal Self and Vacuum - Plenum ,
d. Status of Universal Self,
e. Self-Realization
3. Mysticism and Social Reforms: Marks 25
a. Brahmo Samaj,
b. Prathana Samaj,
c. Theosophic Society etc
4. Mysticism and Contemporary Wellness therapies: Marks 25
a. Yoga,
b. Chakra,
c. Aura,
d. Reiki,
e. Colour,
f. Aroma etc
Paper II: Mystic Traditions
1. Mysticism and Architecture: Marks 25
a. Temple Art
b. Monastic Arts
c. Sculpture
2. Mysticism and Painting: Marks 25
a. Indian
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b. Western
c. Ancient to Contemporary
3. Mysticism and Dance and Music: Mark s 25
a. Samavedic tradition of Vedic chanting,
b. Role and effect of Svaras,
c. Indian Classical Dance
d. Indian Classical Music
4. Mysticism and Other Bhakti traditions: Marks 25
a. Natha,
b. Vaishnava,
c. Shakta
d. Shaiva and
e. Other cults
Paper -pattern
A. Paper I (Marks 100 Duration3 hrs)
(Out of six questions any four are to be attempted)
1. General Question on Aspects of Mysticism ---- Marks 25
1) General Question on Objective Reference and Mysticism ----
Marks 25
7. General Question on Mysticism and Social R eforms ----- Marks 25
8. General Question on Mysticism and Mysticism and Contemporary
Wellness therapies --- Marks 25
9. Critical notes on any two out of four topics prescribed for Paper I ---
Marks 25
10. Critical notes on any two out of four topics prescribed for Paper I ----
Marks 25
B. Paper II (Marks 100 Duration 3 hours)
(Out of six questions, any four are to be attempted)
7. General question on Mysticism and Architecture ---- Marks 25
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8. General question on Mysticism and Painting --- Marks 25
9. General Question on Mysticism and Dance and Music ---- Marks 25
10. General Question on Mysticism and Other Bhakti traditions ---- Marks 25
11. Critical notes on any two out of four topics prescribed for Paper II ---
Marks 25
12. Critical notes on any two out of four topics prescribed for Paper II ----
Marks 25
Dissertation : Marks 50