Arsha Vidya Center

In keeping with prevailing general advisory for safe health of everyone and for a near future free from “community spread”, COVID-19, please note that weekly Saturday classes are now only livestreamed online at AVC BayArea Youtube channel. Select the Video tab to locate the videos. Tuesday evening online classes have also resumed.

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 this link 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

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The following links might be of interest to you for calmness and inner strength, in current “Shelter in Place” situation.

Vijay Kapoor
Fulfulling Potential video playlist (new class)
Mantra for eradicating germs PDF

Swami Viditatmananda
Swamiji’s Video Message
Special Durga chant from the Message

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Ongoing AVC Vedanta classes ONLINE Saturdays, and Weekday Evenings – Sri Vijay Kapoor

Please note that the class configuration has changed, due to local conditions and virus situation. All classes are now online classes only. For watching live on Youtube, click this link AVC BayArea Youtube channel , Select “Video” tab, and click on current “live” class or choose a previously recorded class. Use the Chat window on youtube to announce your name as a roll call while attending the class.

(If joining online for the first time, click this link AVC BayArea Youtube channel and click the “subscribe” on the right hand side. Also “Enable notifications” – by clicking the “bell” icon OR go into youtube Settings to enable notification for “live streams”, and “subscribed channels”. Then everytime a livestream is started, you will be notified). If you need help call Raj 408 476 1638.

Saturday 8.30am till 9.45am – Mandukya Upanishad with Karika – Chapter 4 (starting April 4th)

See this page to follow updates and the class teachings in audio audio/video and reference materials.

Saturday 10.00am till 11.30am – Drg Drsya Viveka (New Class)

See this page to follow updates and the class teachings in audio audio/video and reference materials.

Tuesday 7.30pm to 9.00pm – Tuesday class is resuming with a New topic.

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3 classes each week divided into 3 segments: for beginning students, for advanced students and topics of interest to all students.

Pass on this Drg Drsya Viveka Flyer 4-20 for your contacts who may be interested to learn Vedanta

FOR BEGINNING STUDENTS
We will continue Bhagavad Gita, after a break between chapters for more and more in-depth study of the basics of Vedanta.
We just completed chapter 7. Starting next Sat, Apr 11 we will take up DRG DRSYA VIVEKA, Inquiry into the nature of the Seer and the Seen. This is one of my favorite texts, and an excellent one for new students. This class will be in the same time slot – 10 to 11:30 AM PST. For now continue online streaming only, at YouTube channel – AVC BayArea. I will simply transfer the Chap 7 roster to the new roster – if you want to opt out, please send me an email.
Attaching a pdf flyer on the new text. I would appreciate if you can forward it to any friends that you think would be interested in getting an in-depth introduction to Vedanta.
Swami Viditatmanandaji has an excellent commentary on the text in the form of a 266-page book. It will serve as a reference book for us. I have 57 copies in hand, but how and when we will send to you will need some time to figure out. If you would like to reserve a copy, please send me an email with your street address. It costs $20, but please wait for instructions on payment later.

FOR ADVANCED STUDENTS
Since many of you requested Brahma Sutra, I had to make a decision whether one of the requirements should be good knowledge of Sanskrit. Some students – Chaula and Zarina – recently visited Swami Paramarthanandaji and ascertained that he has taught it to sincere students, even if they did not know Sanskrit. So based on that, I am happy to announce that Isvara willing, after the Mandukya Karika is complete in the next few week (approx 10, I think), we will take up Brahma Sutra.
That said, I will have some strict criteria for who would be qualified to attend. In the next few weeks, I propose to finalize the criteria, so that you apply only if you think you meet those. This will also give me time to decide on the text and reference books etc. This class will be on Saturdays, from 8 to 9:30 AM, PST, also online only for now. Later I hope this will be face-to-face, as it should be for a topic of this caliber.

TOPICS OF INTEREST TO ALL TYPES OF STUDENTS
We will select smaller texts, or segments of larger texts based on information of general interest
An example is the recently concluded 6-class series on ‘Fulfilling Life’s Potential’. Incidentally I am happy to announce that Sujata Dave has agreed to assist me in turning this into a small booklet. We hope to complete this in the next 3 months. These sessions will be on Tues from 8 to 9:15 PM, and will only be online, even after the in-place shelter rules are relaxed. I will decide on the topics later. Next Tues Apr 7, we will have a class; I have a couple of topics in mind. In particular, it will be good for the concluded Dakshinamurti Stotram students to join in; we can have a discussion on topics that interest you.

My best wishes for your well being and health. This difficulty too will pass. OM. Vijay

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Guru Dakshina for Vijayji’s classes can be given here
Guru Dakshina

To join, or to enquire about the classes, please send email to the instructor, Sri Vijay Kapoor at vijaykapoor@gmail.com.

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Sri Svatmavidyananda Swaminiji, coming on May 23-25, 2020 weekend

Swaminji will be giving a talk on May 23-25 (memorial weekend) at AVC in Milpitas.

More details about topic etc will be announced soon.

Please check this Page for upcoming talks. Sukta January 2020 newsletter gives articles and details for Swamini’s travels and talks online and online attendance information

Swamini recently gave a talk on Dakshinamurthi’s silent message using the Chin Mudra at the CSE on Feb 11th.

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

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Swami Paramatmanandaji will be visiting our Bay Area in July 2020

Swamiji has agreed to visit the AVC Bay area again this year in Mid July. More details to follow.

Talks: July 15th-16th and 20th-24th

Morning Weekend Retreat: July 17th-19th

We had a very insightful set of talks by Swamiji during his recent visit to bay area from June15th -21st on 2019 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.

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Celebrate MahaShivaratri on Feb 21st

I heartily endorse the invitation from Srida Joisa of the Sanatana Dharma Kendra to join for Shivaratri puja on Friday, Feb 21st, starting at 6 PM. This is an important occasion for all spiritual students, including those that are actively studying Vedanta. Just the Vedic chanting and devotion to Isvara prepares the mind for clarity in studying. Arsha Vidya Center has a close relationship with Sanatana Dharma Kendra; you may of course visit a temple of your choice, but if physically possible, please join the puja at this place starting at 6 PM. SDK is at 3102 Landess Ave, San Jose.

Harih Om. Vijay

This day and night is very special to the life and form of Lord Shiva. On this day all devotees, irrespective of the fact whether they are enlightened or not, are guided to fast and worship Lord Shiva, so that they may receive the abundant grace which flows.

When we look at creation we find that whatever is born, is sustained for a while, and then is no more there in the same form. There is no real destruction of matter or energy in the universe, much less the conscious being.

The capacity of the Lord to change from one form to another is represented by Lord Shiva. Truly we cannot give the label ‘destroyer’ to Lord Shiva, because there is no real destruction of anything in the Universe. All that happens is things manifest from the unmanifest and again go into unmanifest form, to manifest again.

Lord Shiva is also the Lord who means auspiciousness who grants boons, bestows grace and awakens wisdom in His devotees.

Lord Shiva is depicted as a symbol of tyaaga or renunciation. He is represented as an ascetic. He is depicted as covered with ashes, with matted locks, carrying Ganga on his head, wearing the crescent moon as an ornament on his head, having three eyes which, his eyes are half-open, wearing two earrings, with a snake round his neck and curled three times round his head, wearing the Rudraksha maala, holding his right hand in the Varada Mudra, with a trident (trisula), carrying a damaru in one hand and a kamandalu in another, with Nandi the bull as his vehicle, seated on a tiger-skin, in the cremation-ground, effortlessly happy in himself as an ascetic sometimes, with Goddess Paravati sometimes.

Swami Tattvavidananda visited Bay Area Nov 11-20th 2019

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.

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

Topic Texts : Ashtavakra Gita Selected Verses. Download Here
Ashtavakra-Samhita full 1st Edition PDF.

Panchdasi chp7 -V133 verses

Recordings: Talks are available on our youtube AVC BayArea Youtube channel or via this dedicated Page

Both mp3 audio and video playlists are provided for your convenience.

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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.

Video recording is on our Youtube channel.

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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:

Core tenets of Hinduism. 2 classes. A background paper will be distributed, and it will be discussed in the class.
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.
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

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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

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