Department of Sankhya and Yoga

योगेन चित्तस्य पदेन वाचां ।
मलं शरीरस्य च वैद्यकेन ॥
योऽपाकरोत्तमं प्रवरं मुनीनां ।
पतञ्जलिं प्राञ्जलिरानतोऽस्मि ॥

Department of Sankhya and Yoga at Karnataka Samskrit University was started in the year 2022. The Department will bring together traditional studies of Samkhya and Yoga along with practical and application-oriented study of Hatha yoga and Ayurveda for present day living. The primary focus will be on interdisciplinary studies using traditional methods from authentic scriptures.

The Department of Sankhya and Yoga strives to be the source of innovative interdisciplinary programs that partner with specialists in yoga, ayurveda and practical yoga for the urban yogi .  The aim of the department is,

  • To be true to the shastric texts and follow its methods to teach Yoga in the traditional format as taught by our Rishis.
  • To develop and apply theories, concepts, methods and tools of yoga studies
  • To analyze and apply traditional and scriptural knowledge in the context of a changing society.

The Department has faculty with diverse backgrounds – an enviable combination of traditional yogis and modern scholars, who have been trained in Yoga Shastras. The syllabus is tailored to provide a comprehensive knowledge to the students as per the guidelines of National Educational Policy (NEP). It encompasses both the traditional and modern features of Samkhya and Yoga, Ayurveda, Traditional Asanas, Pranayama, Meditation, Yoga Chikitsa, and so. Students will also be trained in Samskrit reading, writing and understanding enabling them to become proficient in Samskrit communication.

Additionally, optional and elective courses from other departments are offered, promoting interdisciplinary studies.

The department will be encouraging students to participate in Vakyarthasadas, Spardhas and other scholarly competitions. There  will also be emphasis on interdisciplinary studies to bridge the gap between traditional and modern disciplines. .   The plan is also to collaborate with the Vedanta Department to contribute towards innovative courses like MA Vedanta Yoga.  The Department also plans on offering special programs for those in  the IT industry and be one of the few  institutions in Karnataka to offer this such an innovative program.. 

Another unique feature of the department is that it handles multi-disciplinary projects where students also have the opportunity to earn as a member of the project team.

Objectives of the Department:

. Understand Samkhya concept and Yoga Darshanas, related texts, and to explore  healthy and holistic life.
. Learn the above philosophies in the traditional and authentic way  using principles of Yoga
. Read and comprehend shastric texts (granthas) independently by the end of the course.
. Analyze traditional yogic texts and their commentaries.
. Introduce traditional asanas, pranayama, mudra and bandhas based on Samskrit texts
. Explore ancient Indian Knowledge Systems and its relevance in modern context.
. Train students to pursue research in multi-disciplinary studies.
. Train students on Yoga teaching methodologies enabling them to open Yoga training centres.
. Obtain placement for students in premier institutes such as IITs where multi-disciplinary and trans-disciplinary research is undertaken along with regular placements.

Programmes Offered

Post-Graduate Programmes

Under- Graduate Programmes

  • BA in Yoga

Short-term Courses

  • Bridge Course
  • Functional Samskrita
  • Samkhya & Yoga darsanas

Extensional Activities

Workshops and Seminars and Conferences

 A Textual Study of Patanjali’s Yogasūtra with Vyāsabāsya

Lecture Series

Amarakosha Structure – Dr Sivaja S Nair

Projects

Funded

  • Siddhanta Knowledge Foundation – Shastra Mapping on Yogasutra Vyasabhashya

Gallery will be online soon

Faculty Profiles

  • Prof. Shivani is a Dean, Shastra Faculty, and Director, IQAC, Karnataka Samskrit University. She has completed her doctorate on ‘A Computational Model for Linguistic Study of Sanskrit – Balakanda of Ramayana as a Case Study’ and did her Post Graduation in Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Sanskrit Vyakarana. Erstwhile Deputy Director at Chinmaya International Foundation Shodha Sansthan, Veliyanad, Ernakulam, Kerala and guest faculty at Department of Sanskrit Studies, University of Hyderabad, as well as at Shabdabodha and language Technology, Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeetha, Tirupati.
  • Shivani also held the position of Sr. Linguist, Department of Sanskrit Studies at University of Hyderabad. She has many publications and research papers under her credit. She has also participated and presented papers at many international and national seminars on
  • NLP, Machine Learning and topics pertaining to Computational Linguistics and Sanskrit Grammar.

Visiting faculty in the Department

  • Prof.Madhusudan Penna
    • Vice Chancellor, KKSU In charge from 08-01-2022
    • Professor & Dean, Faculty of Indian Philosophy and Culture
    • Director, Research Programs and Publications, Kalidas Sanskrit University, Ramtek,
    • M.A. M.Phil. Ph.D. (Sanskrit), D.Litt., (Hon), Diploma in German
    • profCV.pdf (kksu.co.in)
  • Dr. Srinivasa Varakhedi
    • (Recipient of Presidents Award) Professor in Shastra and Dean (Academics) Karnataka Samskrita University, Bengluru
    • Prof. Dr. Shrinivasa Varakhedi is currently the Dean, Shastra Faculty and Director of Research and PG studies in Karnataka Samskrita University, Bengaluru, Karnataka. Formerly he was Director of Sanskrit Academy, a Research Institute funded by Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan, Osmania University, Hyderabad.
    • He received the Maharshi Badarayan Vyas Samman – an award given by the President of India in 2008 and Swami Chinmayananda Gold medal in 2013.

Dr. Jayaraman Mahadevan is currently serving as Director, Research Department, Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram, Chennai, Scientific Industrial Research Organisation. He has a PhD in Sanskrit from the Department of Sanskrit, University of Madras, His thesis was titled The Doctrine of Tantrayukti – A Study. He has presented 20 papers in various National and International conferences and has given talks in Universities, Colleges and Institutions of National Eminence. He has also written books, organised seminars, funded projects and been the guide for students pursuing their PhD. His areas of interest are Yoga, Tantrayukti, Vedanta, Sanskrit Poetic Literature and Manuscript Studies.

Smt. Uma Subramaniam

• MA Sanskrit (Vedanta), Karnataka Samskrit University
• M.Sc Yogic Sciences, Annamalai University
• Registered Yoga Alliance Teacher Trainer ERYT500
• RCYT(Children’s Yoga) and RPYT(Prenatal Yoga) from the Yoga Academy.
• Ministry of Ayush Level 2 Yoga Teacher
• Certified Advance Medical Varmam Practitioner, Tirumoolar Varmam Inst, Coimbatore
• Veteran yogi and teacher of yoga in its many modern forms but with deep roots in traditional and authentic yoga education, practices and philosophies. Over 15,000 hours of teaching hatha yoga, pranayama, yoga nidra and meditation practices, yoga philosophy, history, anatomy&physiology, teaching methodology for modern day practice and health benefits.
• Has taught, evaluated over 50 Yoga Teacher Certification Courses in a period of 8 years with over 1000 graduates at the Yoga Academy, Bangalore. Has represented the Yoga Academy to propagate yoga and ayurveda in Austria, Germany and Spain through several training programs over the past 5 years.
• Her most recent work was end-to-end design, implement and recommend strategies to position Yoga and Mental well-being as part of Bangalore-based start-up’s war against lifestyle diseases.
• Currently consulting as Yoga Expert with Bangalore-based start-up for women’s mental and physical health particularly menopause.
• Swadhyaya: Pursuing independent study of Mukhyopanishads, Sankara Bhashyam under the benevolent guidance of Acharya Ananta Sharma Bagur, Maitreyee Gurukulam, Karnataka. Also studying 20 Yogopanishads under the grace and blessings of Sri Shekhar Vedantam Advani of Avadhoota Datta Peetham, Mysore. Daily vedaadhyayana of Krishna Yajurveda suktams through S.A.T.TV.A. (Veda Vignana Gurukula Parampara), Bangalore

Apply Here

Click Here to Apply for MSc in Yoga Shastra