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
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Swami Tattvavidananda visited 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.

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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Sri  Svatmavidyananda Swaminiji visit to AVC is postponed till next year 

Please check this Page for upcoming talks and Fall and winter schedule.

Weekend of Thanksgiving online with Swaminiji – Nov 28th and 29th 2019.
Attached is the brochure. 6 Classes 2 Days!

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

 

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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:

  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.

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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.

 

 

 

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