The Titles, in Srila Prabhupada’s Own Words
The Bhakti titles are not RVC’s invention. Srila Prabhupada set out the whole system in January 1976.
The System — Letter to Svarupa Damodara, 10 January 1976
“Sometimes there is criticism that our men are not sufficiently learned, especially the brahmanas. Of course second initiation does not depend upon passing an examination. How one has molded his life chanting, attending arati, etc., these are essential. Still, Brahmana means pandita. Therefore I am suggesting examinations. Bhakti-sastri—(for all brahmanas) based on Bhagavad-gita, Sri Isopanisad, Nectar of Devotion, Nectar of Instruction, and all the small paper backs. Bhakti-vaibhava—the above plus first six cantos of S.B. Bhakti-vedanta—the above plus cantos 7-12 S.B. Bhakti-sarvabhauma—the above plus Caitanya-caritamrta. These titles can correspond to entrance, B.A., M.A., Ph.D.”
Srila Prabhupada, letter to Svarupa Damodara dasa, Bombay, 10 January 1976
That is the spine of the RVC ladder: the same books, in the same order, with the same titles — and RVC’s academic degrees running alongside them, as Prabhupada suggested the titles could correspond to entrance, B.A., M.A. and Ph.D.
Who Must Sit the Examinations — Letter to All Governing Body Commissioners, 6 January 1976
“Anyone wishing to be initiated as a brahmana will have to pass the Bhakti-sastri exam and anyone wishing to take sannyasa will have to pass the Bhakti-vaibhava examination as well… Any sannyasis or brahmanas already initiated who fail to pass the exams will be considered low class or less qualified.”
Srila Prabhupada, letter to all Governing Body Commissioners, Nellore, 6 January 1976
Study, in Prabhupada’s vision, is not an extra for the scholarly. It is part of what it means to be a brahmana — and it sits alongside sadhana, not instead of it: chanting, attending arati, and molding one’s life remain essential.
The Four Titles at RVC
| Title | Books (Prabhupada’s scope) | RVC level |
|---|---|---|
| Bhakti-sastri | Bhagavad-gita, Sri Isopanisad, Nectar of Devotion, Nectar of Instruction, and the small paperbacks | Associate · 60 credits |
| Bhakti-vaibhava | The above plus the first six cantos of Srimad-Bhagavatam | Bachelor’s · 120 credits |
| Bhakti-vedanta | The above plus cantos 7–12 of Srimad-Bhagavatam | Master’s · 42 graduate credits |
| Bhakti-sarvabhauma | The above plus the entire Caitanya-caritamrta | Doctorate · 30 doctoral credits + thesis |
Today these titles are examined and awarded by the ISKCON Board of Examinations (BOEX), under the ISKCON Ministry of Education. RVC prepares students for the BOEX examinations and will seek approval as an Approved Degree Examination Center once the first courses are established. Until then, RVC does not award the BOEX degree itself.