Bhakti Sastri — Disciples Course
Associate Certificate in Vaisnava Philosophy · 60 undergraduate credits, including the AVC entry semester · about 2 years · presented Dec 2, 2026.
The Books
Bhakti Sastri is the in-depth study of four books of Srila Prabhupada: Bhagavad-gita As It Is, Sri Isopanisad, The Nectar of Devotion, and The Nectar of Instruction — plus the small paperbacks, as Prabhupada defined the title in January 1976.
The Framework
- Entry: the AVC Bhakta Programme — living the culture and beginning systematic study — is part of the 60 credits. Not everyone can take the AVC, so an equivalent is accepted: students who already meet the BOEX qualifications may enter directly (see below).
- Sadhana: daily japa, aratis and harinama run through the course.
- Sanskrit: the language of the books, learned alongside them.
- Practicum: the India pilgrimage — Mayapura, Vrndavana, Vaisnava sanga — is part of the degree.
Who Can Join
Entry is through the AVC Bhakta Programme — or its equivalent. A student who already meets the BOEX qualifications for the Bhakti-sastri examination may enter the course directly: chanting 16 rounds of japa daily, following the four regulative principles, and a recommendation from an ISKCON authority who knows them well. Students coming through the AVC are expected to meet those same qualifications.
Assessment (BOEX Pattern)
Following BOEX standards: open-book assessment (60% to pass), closed-book examinations (65%), sloka recitation (65%, 45 verses for memorisation), and 75% attendance.