Bhakti Shastri — In-Depth Study of the Bhagavad-Gita and Core Texts
A systematic, one-year journey through four foundational books of bhakti with Evolve Pune™ — expert guidance, at your own pace.
What You Will Study
The classic foundation course of systematic Vaishnava education — a close, guided reading of four texts:
- Bhagavad-Gita As It Is — the complete text, chapter by chapter
- Sri Isopanisad — the essential Upanishad in 18 mantras
- Nectar of Instruction — eleven verses on practical spiritual discipline
- Nectar of Devotion (selected portions) — the science of bhakti-yoga
Eligibility
- Chanting 16 rounds daily
- Following the 4 regulative principles
- Recommendation by a local mentor or the Temple President of your nearest ISKCON temple
Assessment
- Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) after each lesson
- Open Book Assessments (OBA)
- Closed Book Exams (CBE)
- Oral assessment of slokas
Who Is This For?
Anyone who tried reading the Gita alone and wanted guidance; professionals and students who want serious, structured study; and practitioners preparing for deeper courses like Bhakti Vaibhav. Srila Prabhupada conceived of Bhakti Shastri as part of brahminical training — for devotees who want a systematic understanding of his books.
Have Questions?
Course Structure
Six Units, One Journey
Sri Isopanisad
Bhagavad Gita
Ch. 1–6
Bhagavad Gita
Ch. 7–12
Bhagavad Gita
Ch. 13–18
Nectar of Instruction
Nectar of Devotion
How It Works
The On-Demand Program Plan
Register
Complete the registration process to enroll in the course.
Attend Video Lessons
One or more video lessons per week, on the web or the app.
Solve MCQs
Answer the multiple-choice questions assigned for each lesson.
Weekly Live Review
A 1-hour live review and Q&A with Madan Sundar Das every week.
CBE & OBA
Attempt the Closed Book Exam and submit the Open Book Assessment.
Before You Start
Online Coursework Guidelines
Video Lesson & Quiz
Every video lesson is paired with an MCQ-based quiz.
Passing Requirement
A minimum of 70% is required to pass. Only after passing the quiz can you access the next lesson.
Attempt Limit
Three attempts per MCQ quiz — you may fail only twice.
Time-Based MCQs
Each question is timed at 1 minute — be prepared before you begin.
Question Sources
50% of questions come from the purports, 50% from the video lesson.
Compulsory Attendance
Each video must be fully watched before the associated steps unlock.
Testimonials
What Our Students Say
“I enjoyed the entire journey of Gita Essence so beautifully delivered by Madan Sundar Prabhu... I shall now read again the ‘Bhagavad-Gita As It Is’. My honest gratitude for exposing me to this treasure of wealth.”
Lt Col Ajay (Retd.)Cranfield University, UK
“We are indeed blessed to be connected with Evolve Pune and Madan Sundar Prabhuji. The courses conducted by them are very well designed.”
Dr. Pinky KukrejaDental Surgeon (B.D.S)
“The courses are very useful and structured in a manner that makes the subject matter easier to assimilate. The presentation was very inspiring and motivating.”
Mukundan SeshasayeeManaging Consultant, Wipro Technologies
“It’s so enriching that our entire family listens to his recordings over and over again on YouTube. A truly rewarding experience.”
Smitha NairIndustry Analyst, Frost & Sullivan India
“Gita, apart from being a religious scripture, is a scripture of life as well. The facilitation is fantastic — high clarity, easy to understand.”
Suresh MalviaDy. General Manager (Retd.)
Our Graduates
Real Students, Real Certification
Bhakti Shastri graduates receiving their certificates directly from Madan Sundar Das.
FAQ
Common Questions
Is the Bhakti Shastri course online or in person?
The course is fully online and self-paced. You watch video lessons on the web or the app, and join a 1-hour live review and Q&A session with Madan Sundar Das every week.
How long does the course take?
Around one year, at your own pace. The course covers about 130 hours of video across 77 lessons, supported by weekly live review sessions.
What are the eligibility requirements?
You should be chanting 16 rounds daily, following the 4 regulative principles, and have a recommendation from a local mentor or the Temple President of your nearest ISKCON temple.
Which books will I study?
Four foundational texts: Bhagavad-Gita As It Is (complete, chapter by chapter), Sri Isopanisad, Nectar of Instruction, and selected portions of Nectar of Devotion.
Is the course available in Hindi?
Yes. The complete course runs in a separate Hindi-medium batch with the same structure and fees. See the Hindi course page or ask us on WhatsApp.
How is the course assessed?
Through multiple-choice quizzes after each lesson, Open Book Assessments, Closed Book Exams, and an oral assessment of slokas. A minimum of 70% is required to pass each quiz, with three attempts allowed.
How do I enroll or ask a question?
Enroll on the Evolve Pune course platform via the Enroll button on this page. For questions, message us on WhatsApp, call +91 917 567 2172, or email connect@evolvepune.com.
Begin Your Bhakti Shastri Journey
Available in English and Hindi · self-paced with weekly live reviews.