OBJECTIVE
Politics today invades our homes and affects all aspects of our lives. From the air we breathe, the education we are able to provide our children, and the society we live in – the future of all of these is determined by the underlying vision that drives the political structures today. Given the circumstances of today's world, it is now more then ever that we need to honestly evaluate these political and social systems, and critique their underlying vision based on the cherished ideals of our Sanatana Dharma. But, what is the vision of Rajatantra in our Sanatana Dharma? What is it based on? This two-day free workshop by Acharya Ravindra brings together and presents the driving vision of all Indian thinking on Rajadharma from various Indian textual sources:Rgveda and Yajurveda Samhitas, Satapatha Brahmana, Darsanas sastras, Ramayana, Mahabharata (Shanti, Udyoga and Sabha parvas), Manusmriti, and Kautilya's Arthashastra. The workshop provides a glimpse into the depth of thinking on the subject of political governance by our Rsis.
DAY ONE
Session One -- 9:30 to 12:30 PM
Criteria for an ideal society, Purushardhas and Moksha: Political, educational and all social systems considered - Utilization of natural resources - Conditions for harmonious living in a society – Conditions for unobstructed individual development- Definition of moksha – Elaboration - Evolving moksha as the aim of life from some general observations (different actions of humans and other living beings) - Tools to attain moksha – Obstructions in attaining moksha – abhyudaya and moksha.
Present day world order: Political, economic ans social systems, education, security, ideals and vision.
12:30 PM to 1:30 PM Lunch break
Session Two - 1:30 to 4:30 PM
Varnashrama Vyavastha: Difference between jati vyavastha and varnashrama vyavastha - four varnas - four ashramas - arya and anarya - change of varna – interdependence - varnashrama vyavastha as the ideal system with least (or no) obstructions in the path of moksha.
DAY TWO
Session One -- 09:30 to 12:30 PM
Rajatantra: Main aim of rajatantra - janapada as a basic unit of administration - its structure - relationship between janapadas in brief - maharaja, samrat, chakravarti samarat - internal structure of janapadas elaborated - different departments - dharmastheeya and kantaka shodhan (civil and criminal laws and procedures) - silent punishment - salaries to the subordinates - treasury - seven prakritis – raja, amatya, janapad, durg, kosha, sena, mitra - their characteristics - shaDgunyam i.e. sandhi, vigraha, sthan, aasan, sanshray, and dwaidheebaava - different problems and solutions - pre-war preparations and war and its strategies - bhed or divide and rule - different non-conventional war applications like usages of poison, spies etc. and their remedies - spies and their role.
12:30 PM to 1:30 PM Lunch break
Session Two - 1:30 to 4:30 PM
Question and Answer session: Open discussion and debate
SPEAKER'S PROFILE
Acharya Ravindra started his full time Vedic studies in 1993 after his B.Tech-M.Tech degrees from NIT Warangal. Joining Darshan Yog Mahavidyalaya (Gujarat), he mastered Vyakaran Shastra, studied Yogabhyas, Darshan shastras and Vaidik principles. He continued his studies with masters around the country – Nirukta from a gurukul in Telangana, a part of Mimansa and Kalpa Sutras from Shri Vasudev Paranjepe in Mysore, Saswara Vedapatha from various gurus including Shri Ganesh Jogalekar from Gokarna. He continued his studie in veda and shastras for 16 years – Siddanta Siromani of Bhaskara Acharya, Surya Siddanta of Mayaasura, Satapatha Brahmana, Darshana Shastras, commentaries of Vedas made by Swami Dayananda and other various panditas of Arya Samaj, Veda commentary by Sayana, Manu Smriti, Kautilya Artha Shastra, etc.
He established gurukuls in Rajasthan and Haryana which he ran for several years teaching Vyakarana and Darshanas to students. He currently works with various governmental policy and research organizations and is active in the spreading awareness about zero-budget natural farming all across India. Acharya Ravindra is one of the few scholars in India who has deep and encyclopedic knowledge of Indian traditions. He
continues to teach shastras to scholars, and conducts training programs and workshops for socially active citizens of India who have deep interest and curiosity about our ancient culture. 
