On December 28th, eleven students from Rutgers University in the USA arrived at the JIVA Institute in Vrindavan for a three-week accredited course in Hinduism. The undergraduate students represented a broad range of academic concentrations including philosophy, art, anthropology, neuroscience, geography, journalism and media studies, and communications. Most of the students were enrolled in the course for elective credit and had no prior background in Hinduism, Religious Studies, or South Asian Studies.
The structure of the course included a daily cultural excursion and a three-hourlecture by JIVA Institute Founder and Rutgers Visiting Professor, Satyanarayana Das Babaji. In addition to introductory texts on Hinduism, the students studied the primary texts of Bhagavad Gīta and Bhagavata Purana. Students took two exams and wrote four short papers. Cultural excursions included pre-modern and modern Vrindavan temples, Vrindavan Research Institute, Jiva Gosvami Disappearance Day festival, boat ride on the Yamuna, Care for Cows, Krishna Janmabumi, Mathura Museum, Varsana, Vrindavan Parikrama, and classical performances in dance, drama, and musical at the JIVA Institute.
A few selections of students’ written experiences are included below:
Brett Clarke
Before coming to Vrindavan I had never heard of Kirtan. I had no idea that people would start and end their days by singing the praises to Krishna. But once I heard it I
was hooked; the combination of drums, chimes, and voices of devotees all combining to create something intoxicating. There is something extremely beautiful about people showing their pure love and devotion through music. Kirtan is something truly magical.
Jennie Valdez
Being in Vrindavan for three weeks has been a life-changing experience. In the three weeks, I was taught by Dr. Dasa, a man with an immense knowledge of Hinduism and life itself; I gained life-long friends; I met people from all over the world who have a love for knowledge similar to mine. However, the one lesson I took home with me is that the key to a successful life is internal happiness, which I learned from Dr. Dasa and the people of Vrindavan.
Asya Johnson-Baldeo
Venturing from the grey, caffeine addicted, and aloof first world where people often drone through the city streets habitually repressing expression, Vrindavan, India offers the perfect natural remedy to poker-faced masters. Simple expression is the premier feature of the city of Lord Krishna’s divine play or pastimes. Hearing, seeing, smelling, and tasting Vrindavan presents a clear contrast to life back home. From the early four am Kirtan chanting; to the saturated and vivid colors of the women’s dress mirroring tropical fish; to looks of confusion and sometimes cautiousness at the sight of my oddly-twisted hair; to the smells of spices, cow dung, sewage, and even trash strewn throughout the streets; nothing is left unexpressed. Even the cars wear expressions in the form of dents and scratches as a result of the thrilling, chaotic, and seemingly fearless wild driving. This is a world untouched by the inhibitions of the west, and I hope this expression is infectious.
Toni Moletteri
where do the marigold flowers grow?
vrindavan
where is the heart of my hearts and the home of my homes?
vrindavan
where does my atma both whisper and sing of?
vrindavan
vrindavan
vrindavan
the spices of the ground and the gurus of my worship and the wonders of the past and the mystery of my future: vrindavan
Emily Zarych
My experience at Jiva was fueled by excellent professors, a variety of excursions and a community of supportive scholars. Upon arrival I was in full culture shock. Through our excursions to many pre-modern and modern temples, I became more comfortable with the overall culture of the town and its inhabitants. My favorite part of the experience was our boat ride along the Yamuna River. It was both relaxing and a new perspective of the city of Vrindavan, which I found quite beautiful. Overall, my time in Vrindavan was very enjoyable and I hope to come back one day.
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