Mundaka Upanishad
With Dr. H. V. Nagaraj Rao
7 Week Live online course (Zoom) + full curriculum including video, audio and written notes
The Muṇḍaka is one of the clearest and most purposeful of the Upaniṣads. Rooted in the Atharva Veda, it asks a timeless question that speaks to scholars and sincere seekers alike: what kind of knowledge truly frees a person? From its opening distinction between lower knowledge (apara vidyā) and higher knowledge (para vidyā), the text guides us with remarkable precision toward the direct understanding of what it calls the imperishable (akṣara)—the unchanging reality behind all change.
What makes this Upaniṣad especially approachable is its teaching style. It does not rely on complicated argument alone, but uses unforgettable images: the two birds on one tree, the bow and arrow aimed at Brahman, the way sparks rise from a fire, and the “knot of the heart” that is cut by insight. These are not merely poetic flourishes. They are teaching instruments, meant to carry profound ideas into lived understanding.
Dr. Rao is an expert in Vyakarna and Alankara shastra (Grammar and Poetics). His scholarship is grounded in the traditional Indian methods of study—careful attention to Sanskrit terms, fidelity to the text, and a deep familiarity with the philosophical context in which these teachings were preserved and transmitted. At the same time, he has an exceptional gift for making subtle points clear without reducing them. He teaches in a way that respects the intelligence of the student while never assuming prior background. In short there are few schollars better equipped to teach this Upanisad!
Whether you are encountering the Upaniṣads for the first time or you have spent years with Indian texts, you are warmly welcome here. This course is designed to meet you where you are: to provide historical and philosophical orientation when needed, to move patiently through key passages, and to create a supportive space for questions and reflection. What you get in this course is a distilled view of the inner meanings of the text that only a seasoned schollar with a vast education in Indian texts can give. This will be an intellectually stimulating, mund expanding and deeply nourishing experience.
what the course includes
live weekly Zoom session with Dr. Rao (lecture + Q&A)
complete video, audio, and written curriculum
stream on any device, revisit anytime (lifetime access)
downloadable Muṇḍaka Upaniṣad text (for study and reference)
Key teachings you will study in the Muṇḍaka Upaniṣad
two kinds of knowledge: apara vidyā and para vidyā, (book learning and direct experience) and why liberation depends on the higher knowledge
the imperishable reality (akṣara) and how the changing world arises from the changeless reality (the “sparks from fire” teaching)
the limits of external attainment when it is not joined to inner realization, and the Upaniṣadic call to direct seeing
the two birds on one tree: the experiencing self and the witnessing self, and the end of sorrow through recognition
Oṁ as a support for contemplation: the bow, the arrow, and the target (Ultimate Reality)
the “knot of the heart” and how ignorance is cut through disciplined inquiry and contemplative clarity
qualifications for understanding: steadiness, sincerity, and the role of a teacher in traditional study
SCHEDULE AND TIMING
Start date: Sunday, March 8, 2026
Meeting day: Sundays
India time: 6:30 PM IST
*please check your local timezone (note: Europe changes to summer time during this course)
Central USA (Oklahoma/Chicago): 8:00 AM (March 8 onward, due to U.S. daylight saving time)
Western Europe:
2:00 PM CET on March 8, 15, 22
3:00 PM CEST on March 29, April 5, April 12, April 19 (after Europe shifts to summer time)
We estimate that this course will take approximately 7 weeks to complete. It can be more or less depending on questions and how quickly we move through the material.
March 8
March 15
March 22
March 29
April 5
April 12
April 19
LOGISTICS
Zoom invitations are sent at the start of each session
recordings are posted within 3 days
time for questions is included every week, and students at all levels are encouraged to participate
Questions? Just send an email—I’m happy to help.
Andrew Eppler
Director | Mysore Yoga Traditions
andrew@ashtangayogastudio.com
WhatsApp +1 (405) 503 7779
To join the course please fill out the form below and then submit payment.
Whether you have done courses with us before or not you MUST fill out the form below so your email is added to the list to receive your Zoom links!
*We have a limited number of discounted scholarships. 50% discount for Indian citizens.
ABOUT DR. H. V. NAGARAJ RAO
Vidwan Dr. H.V. Nagaraja Rao is a distinguished scholar of Sanskrit grammar and poetics, known for his profound knowledge, clarity of thought, and unique ability to bridge ancient Indian wisdom with modern understanding. Trained in both traditional Gurukula systems and modern academic settings, Dr. Rao is celebrated for his scholarship in Sanskrit grammar, literary aesthetics, and Indian philosophy.
In his early years, he served as a researcher at the Oriental Research Institute in Mysore, where he published numerous original Sanskrit works, accompanied by English and Kannada translations. He later taught Sanskrit at the University of Chicago as a visiting professor and was invited as a fellow to the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Dr. Rao has lectured across the globe—including in Thailand, Hong Kong, the United States, Israel, and England—sharing his passion for Sanskrit and Indian knowledge systems with diverse audiences.
In 2006, Dr. Rao guided the World Sanskrit Conference in Edinburgh, England, where he delivered a memorable address in chaste Sanskrit. That same year, he was honored by the Sahitya Akademi, India’s highest literary body, for his outstanding contributions to translation. More recently, he was selected for national recognition by the President of India for his lifetime contributions as a Sanskrit scholar.
Dr. Rao is also the honorary editor of Sudharma, the world’s only daily newspaper published in Sanskrit. Now in his 80s, he continues to teach and inspire with undiminished vigor, known for his razor-sharp wit and deep compassion.
What sets Professor Rao apart is his uncanny ability to illuminate complex philosophical texts—such as the Yoga Sutras, Bhagavad Gita, and the Upanishads—with clarity, precision, and infectious enthusiasm. His deep logical insight, paired with his rare gift for communicating in fluent English, makes his teachings accessible and deeply moving. Students often leave his lectures feeling uplifted, with a renewed sense of purpose and a desire to strive toward higher ideals in life.
Dr. H.V. Nagaraja Rao remains a living treasure of India’s scholarly tradition, carrying forward the flame of ancient wisdom into the modern world with grace, brilliance, and humility.Professor Rao has an uncanny ability to shed new light on texts such as the Gita and the Upanishads with his infectious passion and his ability to communicate in English, which is rare among Sanskrit scholars of his stature. Students leave his presentations with a feeling of liberation from the mundane and inspiration to strive for higher goals in life.