Mastery Course on Yoga Darśana of Patañjali
Course Title: Mastery Course of Patañjali's Yogadarśana
Credit hours: 3
Course Code: P003
Duration: 15 Weeks
Medium of Instructions: English
Mode: Self-paced online course. Participants will be given access to Pre-recorded lectures (Complete Gītā) + Quizes after each lecture + downloadable Course eBook for self study. Each eBook contains: (1) a concise summary of the chapter, (2) key points for quick review, (3) multiple-choice questions, (4) short-answer questions, (5) long-answer questions, and (6) an integrated Workbook section with activities and applications for practical reflection.
Prerequisites: A basic knowledge of Sanskrit language is preferred
Certificate Awarded By: Vedic Science Virtual Vishva-Vidyapeeth , USA
Textbook: The Yoga Darśana of Patañjali
Course Description:
This course is an in-depth study of Patañjali’s Yoga Darśana, based on the Vyāsa Bhāṣya and Bhoja Vṛtti. This course unveils the Vedic foundation, metaphysical clarity, and scientific rigor of Yoga philosophy, disentangling it from modern misinterpretations and popular simplifications.
The course covers complete study of the Yogadarśana of Patañjali for the first time. It offers a comprehensive understanding of the aim of Yoga, the eightfold (Aṣṭāṅga) path, the five mental modifications (vṛttis), the concept of Īśvara, the methods to control the mind, and the metaphysical basis of liberation (kaivalya). It is rooted in the Vedic tradition, highlighting the Yoga-Sāṅkhya synthesis and its relevance for self-realization and the transformation of human consciousness.
Learning Objectives:
- By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Understand the Vedic origin and philosophical context of Yoga.
- Interpret the Yoga Sūtras based on Vyāsa and Bhoja commentaries.
- Analyze key Yogic concepts like citta, vṛtti, kleśa, samādhi, and kaivalya.
- Develop a foundational understanding of psycho-engineering as taught by Patañjali.
- Discern between classical Vedic Yoga and its modern distortions.
- Apply key meditative and introspective techniques in personal discipline.
Target Audience:
- Seeker of Indian philosophy and Vedic science
- Students of Yoga studies and Sanskrit
- Advanced practitioners of Yoga
- Philosophers and seekers interested in metaphysics and psychology
- Curriculum designers and educators in Indic studies
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, learners will be able to know
- Yoga in the context of the Ṣaḍ-Darśanas
- Relation of Yoga with Sāṅkhya: theory vs. practice
- What is psycho-engineering? Why Yoga is not mere posture or ritual
- Vedic purpose of Yoga: Mokṣa through Viveka-khyāti
- Overview of the four Pādas: Samādhi, Sādhana, Vibhūti, Kaivalya
- Concept of Yogaḥ citta-vṛtti-nirodhaḥ: Aims and philosophical implications
- Sanskrit and terminological study of yoga sūtras
- Five types of vṛttis: pramāṇa, viparyaya, vikalpa, nidrā, smṛti
- Chitta, manas, buddhi, ahaṅkāra: A Vedic psychological framework
- Role of saṁskāras and purging of memory
- Concept of pratyakṣa, anumāna, and āgama in cognition
- Five kleśas: avidyā, asmitā, rāga, dveṣa, abhiniveśa
- How kleśas distort perception and obstruct liberation
- Psychological engineering for their reduction (tanūkāraṇa)
- Abhyāsa (persistent effort) and vairāgya (detachment) explained
- Two types of Vairāgya: Vaśīkāra and Para
- Methods of cultivating a sāttvika mind: friendliness, compassion, joy, indifference
- Obstacles to Yoga and their remedies
- Īśvara as Puruṣa-viśeṣa, eternal teacher (ādi-guru)
- 'OM' as the vācaka of Īśvara
- Role of surrender in yoga; contrast with bhakti traditions
- Scientific significance of 'praṇava'
Three-fold path of Kriyā-Yoga: Preparatory Yoga: Tapas, Svādhyāya, Īśvara-praṇidhāna
- Austerity: Mental, verbal, and physical (as per Gītā)
- Importance of Svādhyāya (scriptural study)
- Significance of karma-yoga in Yogic path
- Aṣṭāṅga Yoga: The Eightfold Path to Liberation
- Yama and Niyama: Ethical foundations
- Āsana: Beyond postures, for dhāraṇā
- Prāṇāyāma: Breath and mind connection
- Pratyāhāra: Withdrawal of senses
- Dhāraṇā, Dhyāna and Samādhi: The inner journey
Vibhūtis – Yogic Powers and Their Control (Week 11)
- Saṁyama: The fusion of dhāraṇā, dhyāna and samādhi
- Siddhis and their philosophical implications
- Warnings against attachment to powers
- The subtle body and suprasensory experiences
- Text Sections to Read:
- Vibhūti Pāda: Sūtras 1–55
- "How a Yogi becomes invisible"
The Goal of Yoga
- Definition of Kaivalya (complete liberation)
- Purusha–Prakṛti separation
- Final realization of self as sat–cit–ānanda
- Yoga as returning from embodiment: metaphysics of disembodiment
- Text Sections to Read:
Certification
Those who require certificate, they shall have to undergo the following assessment process.
- 75% attendance in Zoom discussion session-20%
- Quizzes (MCQ ) – 30%
- Fill in the blanks-10%
- A project and question with short and long answers – 40%
The above assessment process is not required who are doing the course to enhance their knowledge and need no certificate.
Registration Fee
Registration Fee : $50, Discounted Fee: $30
Course Fee
There will be four variants of the course: Free, Low, General, and VIP. Their details are given as under:
Free Variant- Free variant is offered free of cost. Participants are can make voluntary Guru Dakṣiṇā (donations) at donation /payment page of website during or after the conclusion of the course to support this endeavor. Keep checking the website for free variant of courses.
Low Variant – $ 99
This option is designed for self-motivated learners who prefer independent study.
- Full access to all Video lectures
- Self-paced learning format
- Flexible schedule—study anytime during the course period
This variant allows students to learn foundational and structured knowledge in the concerned subject through guided video instruction at an affordable cost.
General Variant – $ 299
This option combines self-paced learning with limited personalized guidance.
- Full access to all video lectures
- Four personalized Zoom sessions (i hour each) during the course period to provide opportunity to ask questions within and out of domain and clarify doubts and receive targeted guidance
This variant is ideal for students who want periodic interaction with the teacher while primarily studying through recorded content.
VIP Variant – $ 599
This premium option provides extensive personalized instruction and mentorship.
- Full access to all video lectures
- Eight personalized Zoom sessions (1 hour each) during the course period to ask questions within and out of domain and clarify doubts
- Individualized guidance tailored to the student’s learning pace
- In-depth discussion, pronunciation correction, grammar refinement, and advanced clarification
This variant is designed for serious learners who seek close mentorship and accelerated progress in subject proficiency.
Fee Waiver or Scholarship
If you are unable to afford the fee, you can apply here for fee waiver or scholarship.
Application for Fee waiver or Scholarship
Course Start Dates:
Generally all digital and correspondence are offered four times a year, scheduled in alignment with the Vedic Calendar.
1. Uttarāyaṇa Period (Winter Solstice): Dec. 21 to 20 March
2. Devayāna Period (Vernal Equinox): 21 March to 20 June
3. Dakṣiṇāyana Period (Summer Solstice): 21 June to 22 Sept.
4. Pitṛyāna period (Autumn Equinox): 23 Sept. to 20 Dec.
Note: 1. Participants are also allowed to take the course according to their convenience.
2. Course access will remain open only for 14+1 week or its scheduled duration. Participants are advised to complete and access all course materials within this period, as access will not be available once the course window closes.
Registration Open
Those who want to participate in the course can register by clicking the blue button below.
Course Fee:
Upon receiving confirmation of your successful registration, you are requested to proceed with the payment of the course fee for your preferred variant by clicking the green button below.