Bhakti Sastri
Associate Certificate in Vaisnava Philosophy · 60 undergraduate credits, including the AVC entry semester or the equivalent thereof · about 2 years.
Know the four books deeply — and carry the title that says so: Bhakti-sastri, proficient in primary Vedic scriptural knowledge.
The Books
Bhakti Sastri is the in-depth study of four books of Srila Prabhupada: Bhagavad-gita As It Is, Sri Isopanisad, The Nectar of Devotion, and The Nectar of Instruction — plus the small paperbacks, as Prabhupada defined the title in January 1976.
The Framework
- Entry: the AVC entry semester or the equivalent thereof — living the culture and beginning systematic study — is part of the 60 credits. The AVC is very helpful, but it is not necessary: students who already meet the BOEX qualifications may enter directly (see below).
- Sadhana: daily japa, aratis and harinama run through the course.
- Sanskrit: the language of the books, learned alongside them.
- Practicum: the India pilgrimage — Mayapura, Vrndavana, Vaisnava sanga — is part of the degree.
Who Can Join
Entry is through the AVC entry semester or the equivalent thereof. The AVC is very helpful, but it is not necessary to take it: a student who already meets the BOEX qualifications for the Bhakti-sastri examination may enter the course directly. See BOEX standards for entry into this programme → Students coming through the AVC are expected to meet those same qualifications.
Assessment (BOEX Pattern)
Following BOEX standards: open-book assessment (60% to pass), closed-book examinations (65%), sloka recitation (65%, 45 verses for memorisation), and 75% attendance.