Adhyatma Vidya Mandir

The primary activities of Adhyatma Vidya Mandir include the daily Vedānta classes, Jñāna Yajñas, retreats, discourses and seminars related to Vedānta and how to integrate Vedānta in practical life, and Satsanga. Pujya Swami Viditatmananda Saraswatiji conducts the daily Vedānta classes, and a range of texts on Vedānta including the Prasthānatrayī: Upaniṣads, Bhagavad Gītā and Brahmasūtra, and Prakaraṇagranthas, as well as Purāṇas are taken up for studies. Pujya Swamiji unfolds each Vedānta text methodically in all of its details along with the Śānkara Bhāṣya and/or available ṭikā. For years together seekers have taken advantage of these Vedānta classes, and the continuous process of śravaṇa, listening and manana, contemplating has enabled these seekers to gain clarity and firmness of conviction. The Ashram organizes spiritual retreats for 8 to 10 days twice every year, at sacred places like Kayavarohan in Gujarat, and Rishikesh, and occasionally at Anaikatti, Coimbatore. This is when the seekers get an opportunity to study Vedānta in a more traditional way in close proximity of their Guruji, while serving the Guru, which allows them to imbibe his greatness and divine qualities. These ten days in Pujya Swamiji’s presence become a very enlightening and enriching experience. Every year Pujya Swamiji conducts Jñāna Yajñas on the Bhagavad Gītā, Upaniṣads, and other texts on Vedānta in different cities, to expose people to the teachings of Vedānta, and thus making common people aware of, and progress towards the principle quest of life. The Jñāna Yajñas are series of lectures stretching from 7 to 10 days, with morning lectures focusing on one of the 10 major Upaniṣads or Prakaraṇagranthas, and the evenings on one of the chapters from the Bhagavad Gītā or on the vision of Bhagavad Gītā (Gītādarśana). Since many years, Jñāna Yajñas have been conducted at Kashiram Hall in Ahmedabad, Maninagar, Vadodara, Mumbai and Rajkot. Interest based management related discourses are held occasionally upon invitation from the private and/or public interest groups. In the past Pujya Swamiji has held sessions on topics such as Value of Values, Stress management, Satsanga: question-answer sessions resolving management related problems from a spiritual perspective. These management related sessions are a great way to integrate Vedānta or spirituality in a common person’s work and personal life.

The Ashram has been established with the vision to bring the community together, engage them in various spiritual activities and an inquiry of the nature of self, and develop an inter-relationship wherein the community members willingly volunteer in the Ashram activities with an attitude of selfless service. The Ashram provides a setup where the community members get inspired, and in turn inspire others to inquire about the principle quest of human life, as well as encourage and support others to advance in their spiritual pursuit. Such a vision not only maintains the harmony of the total order but also encourages mutual respect, support and love.

The community members get an excellent opportunity to participate in the various devotional, cultural and children’s activities as well as social services conducted by the Ashram. Seekers not only devote their time and/or talent and/or treasure through these activities, they essentially offer themselves at the service of their Guruji and the Lord. The purity of mind gained through such selfless service, further helps these seekers in understanding the nature of the self. Human birth is considered rare, further a desire to be free is considered even rarer, and the company of a wise person is considered rarest. It is no less than a miracle to have all these three in one lifetime, and so one should not waste even a moment, and seek the blessings and guidance of the Mahatma. Adhyatma Vidya Mandir invites everyone to come join in the discovery of the self through Pujya Swamiji’s discourses and other spiritual activities organized by the Ashram.