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Prajna, an initiative envisioned and crafted by His Holiness Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji, aims to foster ethical values and disseminate rich Vedic culture and heritage. This program comprises a series of classes that offer comprehensive personality development through Vedic education. Children will also learn to view service to all beings as service to God, while developing an awareness of environmental responsibility.
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Prajna costs $395 per year that includes books, materials and tuition. Each sibling gets a $25 discount
Contact our co-ordinator Ms. Sreelakshmi Jakkaraju at prajna@jetcalifornia.org or call +1 (408) 507-8846
There are various centers across Bay Area where Prajna classes are held. Check the centers page for a center close to your home.
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Classes begin Sep 2023
What does one learn through Prajna?
Our mission is to empower students with commendable knowledge. Our vision is to preserve and to spread moral values and cultural heritage. We learn our rich Vedic culture and heritage through the knowledge of usages, customs, and practices. We also learn meaningful prayers for different situations, public speaking, leadership skills, and management skills. We learn what service to society means and to respect others and care for nature.
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This learning to the kids is brought through a well defined structure. We provide authentic overview of Vedic literature in the form of supporting textbooks and workbook activities. We teach the kids selected chapters of Bhagavad Gita and the Upanishads. They also learn stories of rishis, seers and acharyas. Kids do yoga and meditation. They sing bhajans, listen to stories and practice daily prayers.
Structure & Syllabus of Prajna
The syllabus of Prajna is hand crafted by our acharya HH Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji and is specifically designed for children in their school years to learn about Vedic culture and practice it in their day to day activities. The structure is divided into 10 modules. Children typically go through a module a year. They start as early as when they are five years old.
Module 1
Enriching all activities of the day. Learn about some important festivals in the year
In this module students will learn how to pronounce Sanskrit vowels and consonant sounds, to chant important slokas (related to showing gratitude to Nature and God, removing hindrances, excelling in studies, improving memory skills, improving health etc.) Students will also understand the importance of celebrating festivals, will discover the traditions and culture of our Vedic lineage, will be introduced to stories of important devotees, sages and their contributions to the mankind. Students will also learn to sing a few bhajans, to meditate and will have opportunities to serve through the local community service programs
Pre-requisite: Interest to learn Vedic science and culture
Module 2
Importance of Mother & Father, prayers for achieving goals and aspects of Yoga and service
In this module students will learn Sanskrit phonetics, to chant Sri Krishna Astakam, Hari Astakam, Pancha:yudha Stho:thram. Students will continue to learn and discover the traditions and culture of our Vedic Lineage. Students will also learn about devotion towards mother & father through various stories, practice meditation, learn the Indian National Anthem and will have opportunities to serve through the local community service programs
Pre-requisite: Complete Module 1
Module 3
Importance of guru, friendship skills, Suryanamaskaras, prayers for good memory and focus
In this module students will learn to chant Guru Parampara, Sri Hayagri:va Sthothram and understand the importance and role of a Guru in their lives with selected stories or disciples and their gurus from our scriptures, stories about real friendship, learn bhajans and will have opportunities to serve through the local community service programs
Pre-requisite: Complete Module 2
Module 4a
Sri Lakshmi Astho:ttharam & Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Sthothram
In this module students will learn to chant Sri Lakshmi Astho:ttharam & Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Sthothram, the power of chanting Sri Vishnu Sahasrana:ma sthothram, its origin and meanings of a few na:mas, learn bhajans and will have opportunities to serve through the local community service programs.
Pre-requisite: Complete Module 3
Module 4
A journey towards victory – Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1, Communication skills, gratitude and knowledge
In this module students will learn the first chapter of Bhagavad Gita. They will learn the history behind Bhagavad Gita and understand how to approach elders when in dilemma, understand how the guidance of elders leads us to victory, learn the significance of first chapter’s name and the benefits of chanting or even listening to the first chapter. They will also learn stories from our scriptures about knowledge (Jnanam), “Power of Speech” and understand how to talk (sathyam bru:ya:th priyam bru:ya:th..). They will also learn the five characteristics a word should have while we talk, learn stories about how to show gratitude, continue singing bhajans, practicing meditation and will have opportunities to serve through the local community service programs.
Pre-requisite: Complete Module 3 or 4a
Module 5
ABCs of bliss – Bhagavad Gi:ta Chapter 2 and introduction to rishis, our Vedic scientists
In this module students will learn second chapter of Bhagavad Gita. They will learn stories about great sages and their contributions to the world. Students will also learn the various avata:ra:s of the Lord and its related stories and purpose. they will also learn stories about worshipping parents and understand that parents are other form of God. Students will also be introduced to Temples of India, continue singing bhajans, practicing meditation and will have opportunities to serve through the local community service programs.
Pre-requisite: Complete Module 4
Modules 6 through 10
Various chapters of Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads & history of our acharyas
In Module 6 students will get a bird’s eye view of Vedic literature, learn the importance of devotion and its founders and a few chapters of Bhagavad Gita. (Pre-requisite: Complete Module 5)
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In Module 7 students will learn what "a perfect human being" means and will be able to draw comparisons between Rama and Krishna and will learn about other incarnations. (Pre-requisite: Complete Module 6)
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In Module 8 students will be introduced to Upanishads and will learn more about the incarnations of the Lord. (Pre-requisite: Complete Module 7)
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In Module 9 students will learn about Isavasya Upanishad, the different schools of thought and the life history of few acharyas (Pre-requisite: Complete Module 8)
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In Module 10 students will learn a few Upanishads, mantras, and their relevance. They will also learn a few chapters from Bhagavad Gita (Pre-requisite: Complete Module 9)
JAI SRIMANNARAYANA!
