Classes Description

Description of Vedic Heritage School classes

The Vedic Heritage School’s curriculum uses textbooks that are devised by the Purna Vidya program authored by Sri Dhira Chaitanya and Swamini Pramananda. The curriculum is divided into eleven classes, for children from ages ~5 until ~16.

Beginners 1 (Ages 5 – 6)

This entry level class introduces the various Gods and Deities, such as Lord Krishna and Lord Ganesha. The class covers short stories about various deities, and also teaches the morals of these stories. Tales from Panchatantra are also covered, teaching important lessons and morals

Beginners 2 (Ages 6 – 7)

This class teaches well known stories of Gods such as Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvathi, Lord Ganesha, and Lord Vishnu, and introduces other celestial beings. These simple stories from our Puranas will allow children to easily understand various deities and the relationships between them, as well as learn.

Ramayana (Ages 7 – 8)

The immortal itihasa, Ramayana, is taught in this class; the epic that symbolizes dharma and adharma. Students are taught the story as well as morals that correlate with the epic. The different characters in this story, their actions, and reasons are also covered.

Bhagavath Purana (Ages 8 – 9)

Several tales from the Shrimad Bhagavatam, stories about Lord Vishnu, are covered in this class. Stories about kings and devotees of Lord Vishnu such as Dhruva and Harishchandra, their trials and tribulations and their unending adherence to dharma are discussed.

Continuing with the Srimad Bhagavatam, the Dasha avathara (the ten main avatars of Lord Vishnu) are covered in this class. Students are taught about these ten avataras and the values that they teach us. The morals from these tales are immortal and children are taught how to apply them in their daily lives even today.

Mahabharata (Ages 9 – 10)

The teaching of the great itihasa Mahabharata is split into two different classes. The class covers all the Parvas (from Adi Parva to Virata Parva) from the origins of the Kuru dynasty until the thirteen year exile of the Pandavas. The Udyoga Parva until the Shanti Parva, covering the events leading up to an including the Kurukshetra War are also covered. Students are taught the different characters and to distinguish and debate the dharma and adharma in their actions.

Values (Ages 10 – 11)

In this class, students are taught about ethics and morals as taught by our Vedic Culture. They are taught to think independently about right and wrong, what to do and what not to do, and the reasons for the do’s and don’ts.

Isvara and Religious Discipline (Ages 11 - 12)

This class covers Isvara - the Intelligent and Material Cause of the entire creation. It covers many important topics such as the Panchabhutas, Ista devatas, Navagrahas etc. In addition, various forms of religious discipline such as vows, japa, fasting, pilgrimage, charity etc. are also explored and studied.

 

Religious Culture & Sanatana Dharma (Ages 12 – 13)

India and Sanatana Dharma have a very spiritual and humanistic religious culture that is widely appreciated all over the world. This class teaches students the arts and literature, traditions, practices, vows, pilgrimages and other aspects of the religion that are still widely followed even today. These helps people experience, understand and sustain this culture.
Sanatana Dharma covers Vedic tradition, philosophy and practice. It explores concepts, such as, purusharthas, samskaras, avatara, karma and rebirth.

Vedanta and Human Development and Bhagavad Gita (Ages 13 – 14)

This class covers the Vedic philosophies addressing the non-physical aspects of human growth, such as spiritual, emotional and intellectual growth. This class is specifically focused towards teenagers. Important contributions of Sanatana Dharma towards society in architecture, medicine, science, music and other areas are also covered. This class also teaches how one can bring the values of Sanatana Dharma into their own lives.

This last class of the VHS program discusses the key teachings of Bhagavat Gita and their meanings and implications in a modern world. This class aims to give a strong foundation to teenagers when they continue their spiritual pursuit as they become older.

Seva - Volunteering (Ages 14 - 15)

The Seva Project encourages students to engage in selfless service as part of their spiritual growth. Participants learn the importance of helping others through activities like volunteering at the temple. They will assist with temple projects, organizing events and teaching younger students. The project also promotes environmental care, such as organizing cleanups or planting trees. By participating, students embody the Hindu values of compassion, service, and unity while strengthening their connection to the community.