• Develop insights on the value of sustainability
• Analyse the elements that contribute to creation and regeneration
• Formulate ways and means to make the universe sustainable

UNIT- I Gita for a Sandharaniya Vishva (4 hours)

• Sat - The timeless and universal concepts from Gita
• The Ecological Consciousness reflected in Gita
• Destruction of Nature – the consequence of Human ignorance, greed and ambitions

UNIT- II Prakriti - the Manifestation of Divine Energy (4 hours)

• Pancha-mahabhutas - The building blocks of Universe
• Triguna – the diversity in nature
• Prakriti – co-relating the external and internal

UNIT- III Prakriti – The Provider of Resources (3 hours)

• Prakriti and its gifts to humankind
• Reciprocity between Devata (Powers of Nature) and Yajna (Human Action)
• Dharma - Humankind’s selfless duty to serve and conserve nature

UNIT - IV Inculcating Values for Sustainability (4 hours)

• Yoga – Way to discipline self and maintain balance
• Experiencing Oneness with nature
• Samattvam yoga - sharing and using natural resources judiciously
• Managing the Ecological Footprint

• Discuss and develop an ecological conservation model on the basis of the Gita.
• Prepare a video presentation/picture gallery to demonstrate the impact of human beings’ interference with the nature.
• Compare the different entities around you e.g. stone, plants, water, air, etc in terms of the proportion of Pancha-Mahabhutas in them. Enlist the characteristics of each Mahabhuta
• Work in group for one hour everyday to make the earth a better place to live. Present your work through audio-visual presentation.
• Discuss in class your Dharma, as a student as well as a human being, to ensure ecological balance on earth

  i. Enlist ten daily activities that would lead you achieve your Dharma.

  ii. Make a list of your activities on a given day. Classify them as conducive or obstructive in your pursuit of your dharma.

• Perform a role-play of Krishna-Arjuna dialogue to create awareness of ecological balance.
• Students are required to watch documentaries and films on the subject-related topics.

Any other Practical/Practice as decided from time to time.

Note: Teachers may use the following verses of the Gita to facilitate unit-wise discussions in the classroom :

(Unit 1)

1. 17.26-27

2. 7.4-10, 13.17

3. 2.62-63, 3.12

(Unit 2)

1. 13.6

2. 14.5-9

3. 14.4

(Unit 3)

1. 3.10-11

2. 3.12-15

3. 3.9-16

(Unit 4)

1. 5.27-28, 6.3, 11-21

2. 11.16, 39

3. 2.48; 17.16

All references have been taken from SrimadbhagavadgitaSankaraBhasya (Hindi), Gita Press, Gorakhpur

• Padhy Sachidananda. Ethno-ecological introspection into Bhagawatgeetaa: Principles and components of the ecosystem. J Hum Ecol, 2013, 42(3): 203-209.
• Padhy Sachidananda. Ethno-ecological introspection into Bhagawatgeetaa: Ecological responsibility of human beings. J Biodiversity, 2013, 4(2): 79-82.
• 3 Padhy Sachidananda. Ethno-ecological introspection into Bhagawatgeetaa: 5. Guna (Quality): The metaphysical factor of nature, responsible for diversity. J Hum Ecol, 2014, 45(3): 177-182.
• https://ndl.iitkgp.ac.in/ndl_he
• Essence of the Bhagavad Gita: A contemporary Guide to Yoga, Meditation and Indian Philosophy by Eknath Easwaran, Nilgiri Press, 2011
• SrimadbhagavadgitaSankaraBhasya (Hindi), Gita Press, Gorakhpur.
• SrimadbhagavadgitaRahasaya: B.G. Tilak, Tilak Brothers Publication, Poona.
• The Gita in the Light of Modern Science:R.B.Lal, Somaiya Publication, Bombay.
• श्रीमद्भगवद् गीता (साधक हिन्दी टीका), Gita Press, Gorakhpur
• 10 The Bhagavadgītā Or The Song Divine (With Sanskrit Text and English Translation) Gita Press, Gorakhpur

Examination scheme and mode: Subject to directions from the Examination Branch/University of Delhi from time to time