Arsha Vidya Center - There is Nothing Indeed as Purifying as Knowledge

In keeping with prevailing COVID-19 health advisory, please note that weekly Saturday and Tuesday classes are now livestreamed online only at AVC BayArea Youtube channel. See detailed instructions below.

Quick Links

Please use the Menu pull down selections to navigate the website (To see Menu on Phones, turn phone sideways -landscape mode.
Please see the AVC Class Calendar for changes to Class schedules and locations
For notification of Live Youtube streaming, click this link AVC BayArea Youtube channel and click “subscribe” on the right hand side.
See Latest Class videos click here
Bhagavad Gita Home Study course Info and signup sheet page
For assistance, contact raj.paripatyadar@gmail.com,

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Live classes at AVG ashram, June 18th till 25th, – Sri Vijay Kapoor

Topic: The meaning of key passages from Sri Rudram as the basis of the talks. This will be especially relevant as we will begin each day with chanting Sri Rudram. Swami Dayanandaji’s book on Sri Rudram, augmented by commentaries by Swami Maheshanandaji will form the basis of the teaching. These books will be available for all students. Beside 3 Vedanta classes, we will have time for a daily class on either learning to chant, Sanskrit or yoga, based on the students’ choice.

See this flyer for more details: Fyler.

To learn more send email to Sri Vijay Kapoor at vijaykapoor@gmail.com.

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

Saturday 8.00 am till 9.30 am – Brahma Sutra (Started Dec 5th, 2020)
See this page to follow updates and the class teachings in audio audio/video and reference materials.
Saturday 10.00am till 11.30am – Kaivalya Upanisad starting Sat, August 7
See this page to follow updates and the class teachings in audio audio/video and reference materials.

Tuesday 8.00pm to 9.15pm – Vedantic Insights to Transform ones Life (VITL)
See this page to follow updates and the class teachings in audio audio/video and reference materials.

Here is how you can attend the live class:
Click on the link to go to AVCBayarea – Live classes channel on Youtube for “Live streams” page > click on the “live” class video that may be running -> make your presence known on Chat window using the chat text space below the Chat window
To watch the class after the class is complete:
Click on the link to go to AVCBayarea – Archived videos channel on Youtube to listen to previous classes > click on any class video of interest. OR press > Playlist tab > select Class topic of interest to watch sequential videos of the the same class.
The archives of mp3 Audios and Video and collateral texts of classes are available via Arshavidyacenter.org – class recordings site. > select the Class title > then select audio/video sub tabs
Subscribe to the AVC BayArea channel so you can receive notifications on when a class has started by clicking on “Subscribe” button or the “bell” icon at home page.

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

Guru Dakshina for Vijayji’s classes can be given here
Guru Dakshina 2022

Alternatively: use Zelle to transfer money by email to “AVCbayarea@gmail.com”

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New classes started in 2021 – by Sri Vijay Kapoor

Kaivalya Upanisad starting Sat, August 7, 2021

As we had decided, after BGita chp 8 classes finish at the end of July, we will be starting a New course on Kaivalya Upanisad.

Please note that any previous registrations will not be carried over. Send an email to vijaykapoor@gmail.com to register anew. I also recommend that you get a copy of Kaivalya Upanisad by Swami Viditatmanandaji as a text for the course. Many of you already have the text. If you don’t have it, then mention that and I will mail it to you. Do send me your mailing address.

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 8, Sat 10am. finishing end of July 2021
It is aimed at students looking to establish or firm up the foundation of Vedanta
As you might be aware, we had made a decision to intersperse chapters of the Gita with other texts that reveal increasing depth.
– the first 6 chapters were followed by a gist of Tattva Bodha
– after that, we covered Gita chapter 7
– then we switched to Drg Drsya Viveka, a text more advanced than Tattva Bodha
– now we will cover Gita chapter 8
– after that I hope to switch to Kaivalya Upanisad
– and so on
Chapter 8 (only 28 verses) focuses on 1) benefits of developing a prayerful attitude (upasana) toward Isvara, and 2) how best to lead the last part of one’s life
Since it is a continuation, those of you on the Drg Drsya Viveka roster do not need to re-register (if you want to discontinue, please let me know)
If you are not on that roster, please send me an email to be added on to vijaykapoor@gmail.com

Vedantic Insights to Transform one’s Life -VITL, Tue 8 pm, Start May 4th
See Video on Introduction of this course. Basically for this course, I am following the later footsteps of Swami Dayanandaji; of not necessarily sticking to a text. I feel that if certain key concepts and insights deeply moved me toward a clearer understanding, chances are they will appeal to you too. This course is not limited to a time frame. I can continue teaching as long I am able to and you are getting something out of it
It will consist of different topics, of varying durations, I will highlight a topic, and bring insights from different Vedantic sources to unfold it
It is something new for me, but I am excited about trying it. I am likely to base many of the topics from Swami Vidyaranya’s Pancadasi – especially from the last 5 chapters.
I think a broad spectrum of students will benefit from it, but it may be skewed toward the more advance students. The roster for VITL will start from scratch. If you are interested, please send me an email to vijaykapoor@gmail.com

Brahma Sutra, class started, Sat 8 am, Started Dec 5th 2020
See the video on introduction of this course. Brahma Sutra is a precise enunciation of all the key aspects of Vedanta in a sutra (aphorism) form. As the last word on the validity and effectiveness of the entire Vedanta Shastra, it is often likened to the pronouncements of a supreme court. This is so, because the highest court considers both pros and cons of issues, before giving final judgment, accompanied by the reasons why the judgement is proper. Similarly, Veda Vyasa presents arguments both for and against Advaita Vedanta, and presents a resolution, both individually topic by topic as well as the overall essence of it.

The authoritative knowledge of the self is presented in the two earlier portions of the triad, namely Upanisads and Bhagavad Gita, called (श्रुति). Brahma Sutra does not present new information. Instead, it solidifies and clarifies the knowledge, relying heavily on reasoning (युक्ति). As such, it relies on the assumption that the student is already familiar with the basic tenets of Vedanta through prior study. If not, then the study of Brahma Sutra will not be useful.

Book recommendation: by Swami Gambhirananda (Brahma Sutra Bhashya of Adi Shankara – available from Amazon for $16.55). Also Relevant Bhasya text (in Devanagari) on our Google Drive folder along with other class media. See youtube class videos here

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Swami Tattvavidananda

Current (2021) online classes in English:

Swami TV talks on Vakya Vritti online

Subscribe to this channel to watch live and recorded talks. https://www.youtube.com/c/SwamiTVPhoenixVedanta

Other classes from 2021: Visit AVG site for details on the online 5 week Retreat Oct-Nov 21, on Brahma Sutra

Recordings of Rudram talks on Youtube playlist
Visit this page for more insights to swamiji’s teachings

Recordings from AVG PA, USA 2020
Thanksgiving and New year Retreats on Sad Darshanam just completed. The 2020 the 9 week Retreat was on Kathopanisad Part 2.
Course recordings can be purchased at this new AVG media site
Self Inquiry – Swami TV, 2020 – Article
Vijayadashami Celebrations, DEVI MAHATMYAM ~ Talk by Swami Tattvavidanandaji

Swami Tattvavidananda last visited Bay Area Nov 11-20th 2019

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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Swami Paramarthananda Discources

Current 2021 classes
Free audio talks on new classes Feb 2021
Recent Vivekacudamani classes
Visit this Page and this Page for more insights to swamiji’s teachings

New App “sastraprakasika” to download and listen to Swamiji’s extensive and insightful talks in mp3 format. Android App: search for “sastraprakasika”. Log in via your google account. Each CD’s of about 10 talks is $3.99 plus tax.

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AVG Arsha Vidya Gurukulam (Pitham) newsletters and ONLINE Talks

See AVG/AVP USA links as below for classes in English:

Schedule of events. Live broadcast and archived courses link ; Course audio recordings can be purchased at this new AVP media site,

Swami Dayananda Talks

Please listen to weekly talks on understanding “sorrow” on AIM for SEVA India – YouTube.

Please see a large collection of Swami Dayanandaji talks on the AVG youtube channel AVG videos and playlists

Sri Swami Viditatmanandaji (Everyday Live except Sunday) from India (Mon-Sat) in GUJARATI
अष्टावक्रगीता aṣṭāvakragītā
https://www.youtube.com/user/2010arsha

Swami Tattvavidananda Ji ( Swami TV ) Classes Every Wednesday in TELEGU Vivekachudamani
Please subscribe to the ‘Brahmavidyakuteer’ YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSw03WYfkxHBTurnwtvjjgA

Please Donate generously to support Virtual Classes. AVP is registered charity with Benevity , and many companies match donations to AVP.

Arshavidya India newsletters

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Swami Viditatmananda last Visited Bay Area June 24th-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 2019, on Kathopanisad