Weekly Vedanta classes are held at 691 S. Milpitas Blvd, Milpitas CA 95035, suite #203 upstairs.

Quick Links

  • Please use  the Menu pull down selections to navigate the website
  • Please see the AVC Class Calendar for changes to Class schedules and locations
  • Access weekly Audio class recordings  here 
  • For Live Youtube streaming click  AVC BayArea Youtube channel and click “subscribe” on the right hand side.
  • See Latest class videos  here
  • Bhagavad Gita Home Study course Info and signup sheet page
Go to top

Swami Tattvavidananda is visiting Bay Area Nov 11-20th

Bay Area is blessed to listen to Swami Tattvavidanandaji for full 10 days – after a gap of 6 years.  Swami Tattvavidananda is one of the most respected teachers of Advaita Vedanta today.  Swamiji is a rare combination of knowledge (vidya) and humility (vinaya). The clarity of his vision, ability to show the vision of truth to serious students and his compassionate loving nature, qualify him to be called Mahatma.

  • Swamiji is a popular speaker (we could only schedule him after 6 years), and prolific writer – authored over 70 books in English/Telugu and Sanskrit.
  • Swami TV (as he is popularly known) is a Vice President of Arsha Vidya Gurukulam, Saylorsburg, and a resident acharya for 4 months a year.
  • Prior to taking sannyasa, Swamiji obtained two Ph.D.s – in Chemistry and in Sanskrit.

We are very fortunate that Swamiji has decided to take Ashtavakra Gita as his evening text. This is a very advanced text dealing with how to make the Vedantic vision of total freedom a living reality, not just an academic exercise. For mid-day, Swami TV will choose one or multiple specific topics, allowing plenty of time for Q&A.
Information about Swamiji’s talk in other US locations can be found on this page.
Please distribute the attached Flyer to your friends and relations to give them an opportunity to listen to Swamiji.

For your convenience, Gurudakshina for Swami Tattvavidananda is accepted (Credit cards or check) on this site.

10 Evening Talks, Ashtavakra Gita

Register your intention to attend for Evening Talks, here.  Although optional, it helps the organizers.

Date: Nov 11th to Nov 20th 2019, every evening
Time: 7.00pm till 8.30pm
Venue: AVC Hall, 691 South Milpitas Blvd, Milpitas.
Topic : Ashtavakra Gita Selected Verses. Download Here
Recordings: Talks will be recorded and available on youtube to view later.

Ashtavakra-Samhita full 1st Edition PDF. 

9 Mid Morning Talks

Panchdasi chp7 -V133 verses

Register here for Morning Talks and Lunch. The class room is currently full. Please watch live broadcasts at AVC BayArea Youtube channel Keep in touch.

Dates: between Nov 12th to Nov 20th 2019
Time: 11.00 till 12.30pm. Lunch not provided, except for Nov 17th.
Venue: AVC Class room, suite #203, 691 South Milpitas Blvd, Milpitas.
Topic : Variety of topics decided by Swamiji
Recordings: Talks will be broadcast live via our youtube channel, and stored there for later viewing also. Subscribe to AVC BayArea Youtube channel to be notified of the live broadcast.

1 Public Q&A Satsang followed by Lunch

Dates: Sun Nov 17th,   Registration required see the same link above.
Time: 11.00am till 1.30pm
Venue: AVC Hall, 691 South Milpitas Blvd, Milpitas.
Topic : Please bring written questions before hand. Formal and informal Q & A, followed by lunch

Out of Town Guests
Please check airbnb.com, or motels in Milpitas or Fremont area for suitable nearby accommodation.  No specific in-home arrangements are made. For inquiries contact
Chaula Joshi,  (General and Bhiksha schedule, etc) chaulaj@gmail.com
Madhu Grandhi (Hotel, AinBnb etc accomodation), madhugrandhi@yahoo.com (650-438-1878)
Zarina Kaji (General, On the day etc ), zarinakaji@gmail.com
Chandra Dulam (Recordings, etc), cdulam@yahoo.com,
Raj Pari,  (Recordings, etc) raj.paripatyadar@gmail.com

Please keep checking this site for updates of venue and registrations.

Go to top

Sri  Svatmavidyananda Swaminiji visit to AVC is postponed till next year 

Sorry to say that Swamini’s visit from Dec 9th-15th to the Bay Area has been postponed till next year. Dates To Be Decided.

Please check this Page for upcoming talks

See  also Swamini’s Page for Video recordings and Audio talks of previous talks.   Access recordings of online classes Here

See her schedule of other talks Fall and Winter Classes

Go to top

 

Special discourse was conducted by Swami Swatantranandaji, Thur, Sept 19th, 6pm

Swamiji is part of our teaching sampradaya. He studied with Pujya Swami Dayanandaji, in 1976 to 1979 along with Swami Viditatmanandaji. Since then, he has developed a very large following, and ‘owns’ two ashrams – one right next to Swami Dayanandaji’s ashram in Rishikesh, and another in Vrindavan.

After talking to him, we have decided on the following format:
A short introduction to Vedanta. Please note that this will be in Hindi, Swamiji’s mother tongue. Estimated 15 minutes
The value of Vedantic Meditation in 2 parts. First one, talking about it – mostly in English; the second one, conducting a guided meditation.
Q&A, in English

Such perspectives from mahatmas are very valuable in our own sadhana, and if you can come, please do so. We will stream it live, in case you cannot make it. If you do come, the space may be limited, so bring a cushion just in case.

Video recording is on our Youtube channel.

Go to top

 

16 Week course on Vedanta and BGita Chp 7, started Sat July 13th, 2019.

See Class material for all registered students on the webpage here

Arsha Vidya Center has started a 16 week course to answer these questions. It will be based on a thorough study of chapter 7 of Bhagavad Gita and will be taught in 3 segments:

  1. Core tenets of Hinduism. 2 classes. A background paper will be distributed, and it will be discussed in the class.
  2. Introduction to Vedanta and Bhagavad Gita. 3 classes. How Gita presents core tenets of Hinduism, and a summary of its first 6 chapters will be discussed.
  3. The heart of the course. 10 classes. Understanding the essence of Gita’s advice for leading a happier life.

The 16th session will be in the form of an in-class quiz, reflecting key concepts of the course. Later, students will benefit by developing an essay based on the quiz.
Class format: Duration – 90 minutes.

  • 10 minutes – chanting of the Gita verses
  • 60 minutes – discourse
  • 20 minutes – Q&A

From 10 to 11:30 AM on Saturdays. All classes at 691 South Milpitas Blvd, Milpitas. First class: July 13, 2019.

To join, we suggest you register, by sending an email to the instructor, Sri Vijay Kapoor at vijaykapoor@gmail.com. Or just be present in the first class on July 13. For a new students, a brief introduction to yourself in the email will be appreciated. Hari Om

Vijay Kapoor

See detailed flyer  Here too.  Please forward to  those who may be interested.

See Class material for all registered students on the webpage here

Guru Purnima Day

Guru Poornima is kind of like Teacher’s Day. Like Mother’s Day, it simply is an occasion to bring to mind or express our gratitude, even though the attitude is present throughout the year. Any teacher is a special creation of ईश्वर, aiding in our growth as a human being. A baby is born in total ignorance. Slowly the darkness is removed, including through sense organs. Then the external entities, most important being mother and father. Then school teachers, and so on. Each one plays a critical role in shaping the subtle role of intellect in furthering our understanding.
Spiritual teaching is truly unique. This is well said in the Chandogya Upanishad story (6.1.3). There Aruni, the father of Shvetaketu, sends his son to study with a teacher in an ashram – as was done in those days – for all advanced subjects, including mathematics, sciences, Sanskrit etc. Shevaketu returns as an accomplished son at the age of 24 after 12 long years. He also displayed pride. At which point, Aruni asked him ” did your teacher teach you that by learning which everything possible is as well learnt?” Stunned, the son replies “Not so. But is something like that even possible? Will you teach me that” This leads to the महावाक्य तत्वमस्सि being taught 9 time, until he gets it.
What this means is that all other knowledge (अपर विद्या) gives limited results. But आत्मा विद्या (पर विद्या ) removes the need for all other learning, leaving a person totally free. Therefore the entire lineage of Vedanta teachers, starting with दक्षिणामूर्ति, should hold a special place in our heart. Just grasping the very possibility of freedom while living is a blessing, leave aside actually accomplishing freedom. So on this auspicious day in our minds we acknowledge the extraordinary gift that ईश्वर has given us in the form of this teaching and be especially thankful for it.
I am fortunate that I do not need any personal material gurudkshina from you. Our modest needs, in the form of a $1K per month classroom rental have been met by you from time to time.  You donate generously when the Swamis visit. if you do feel like contributing to the expenses, probably the best way is to make a donation from our website by clicking Here.
The best way to repay the teaching is to redouble the efforts to learn. I also feel fortunate that I have had such dedicated students like yourself. I feel you will not let me quit, even if I wanted to.
Harih Om. Vijay

Swami Viditatmananda Visited Bay Area June 24th-27th and conducted a Retreat 28-30th 2019

Please see Swamiji page Here for recordings of all Audio and Videos

Please see Swami Viditatmananda Tributes by Vijay Kapoorji Swami Viditatmananda as Mahatma

Immersive Retreat was held on June 28th-30th, on Kathopanisad

This year, the Swamiji  explained the remaining  verses of Kathopanishad,   expounding on the deeper understanding of Atma  in a very elaborate manner.

Please see Swamiji page Here for recordings.

Go to top
Swami Paramatmanandaji visited our  Bay Area on April 15-21st 2019

We had a very insightful set of talks by Swamiji during his recent visit to bay area from June15th -21st. Please go to this link for recordings of Swamiji’s talks. Swamiji, is a revered teacher with his own ashram in Rajkot. His wisdom, humor and communication skills reminded many of us of the teaching style of his guru, Pujya Swami Dayananda.

See Swamiji’s Page for Video recordings and Audio talks and pictures of a wonderful visit.

 

 

 

Go to top

 

For website inquiries, contact Raj.paripatyadar@gmail.com,  408 476 1638