Preserve Sanatana Dharma through the highest teachings of Hinduism - Vedanta

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Aarsha Vidya Ashram – Center for Learning Advaita Vedanta

Whether in ancient times or contemporary times, division, conflicts, and disconnectedness are facts of life. Our ancients managed all this and built a great civilization. The basis was and is Sanatana Dharma and its practices like bhakti, chanting, japa, yoga, meditation and Vedanta.

Vedanta helps people have a life of meaning and connection for complete fulfillment. This body of knowledge, which is a part of the Vedas, has been passed down from generation to generation through the lineage of Adi Shankaracharya in the guru-shishya parampara. Padmashri Pujya Swami Dayananda Saraswati (1930-2015), a world-renowned teacher of Vedanta, was a shining link in the Parampara.

The vast repository of wisdom that is Vedanta is not learnt through books and videos, unlike other systems. Traditionally the primary mode to become a Vedanta teacher is gurukula-vaasa, living with the guru for immersive, intensive learning and sadhana.

For this, we need an ashram, an institution of learning, which is

1. Tranquil and away from crowded cities
2. Close to nature
3. Where students can do their study and sadhana
4. Accessible for everyone across the globe through Mumbai

Who we are ?

Aarsha Vidya Foundation is a Mumbai-based not-for-profit trust that has existed for about 20 years. It spreads the timeless teachings of the Bhagavad Gita and the Upanishads.

What we do ?

1. We conduct regular classes, courses and camps on Vedanta
2. We conduct workshops & programs for a life of competence for youth (self-esteem, communication, managing emotions, teamwork etc.) primarily college students, to help them navigate this complex world.
3. We conduct the SHINE program (Spiritual Heritage of India for Next-gen Empowerment) for children (5 - 13 years) to establish a spiritual foundation. These classes and camps equip children to live a life of Sanatana Dharma and face modern challenges of life, to be able to think clearly, feel strongly and act decisively
4. We celebrate key festivals like Shivaratri, Guru Purnima, Adi Shankaracharya Jayanti etc. as an offline and online community to share the spiritual and cultural significance
5. We facilitate pilgrimages (Teertha yatras) to sacred places and temples in the Himalayas and other spiritual destinations

Why we do what we do ?

To preserve Sanatana Dharma which reveals the vision of oneness, while accommodating diversity. This vision of our deep interconnectedness is based on Vedanta, the highest teachings of Hinduism

The graduate teachers of these courses through their life and teachings will help people to address the fragmentation and disconnection in today's world leading to fulfilment

Aarsha Vidya Ashram Project plan and vision

The vision is to attain self-realisation and help others gain the same (svayam teertva anyaan taarayati). The Ashram will offer 3/4-year intensive, residential courses regularly in Vedanta for adults which will include the Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, Prakarana Granthas, Brahma Sutras along with Sanskrit, Yoga, Chanting and other related sadhanas like Meditation, Rituals, Japa. Through camps and short-term courses (a weekend onwards) the Ashram will welcome seekers of the truth for learning.

The Ashram will have all the required facilities conducive to learning and accommodating students from across the globe. Structural units will be simple and functional. The teaching will be in English and Sanskrit to make it accessible to the contemporary student. The project cost does not currently include the cost of the temple.

1. A fully connected, WIFI enabled lecture hall to accommodate 160 adults
2. An industrial kitchen cum dining hall with a capacity of feeding 100 students
3. Residential quarters for Acharyas and 50 student rooms
4. A traditional temple of 10,000 sq ft with a Devi, Ganapati and Dakshinamurti sannidhi