Arsha Vidya Gurukulam

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About Arsha Vidya Gurukulam

Arsha Vidya Gurukulam is an institute for the traditional study of Advaita Vedanta, Sanskrit, Yoga, Ayurveda, astrology, and other classical Indian disciplines. The word Arsha means that which is from the Rishis - the great sages of ancient India. The word Vidya means knowledge. Gurukulam refers to a residential center for learning with the teacher. Thus, Arsha Vidya Gurukulam is a place where one learns the knowledge imparted by the Rishis. Established in 1986 by Swami Dayananda Saraswati, the Gurukulam is patterned after the ancient gurukulams of India. The Gurukulam offers Indians and Westerners alike an opportunity to study the profound spiritual knowledge of the Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, Brahmasutras, and other classical Vedic texts in English in the USA. Apart from Vedanta, classes on Sanskrit, Vedic chanting, Vedic astrology, Ayurveda, meditation and Iyengar Yoga are also offered. There are ongoing meditation and Vedanta classes on weekends which anyone can attend without prior registration. The Gurukulam also publishes many books on various topics in Vedanta, including a Bhagavad Gita Home Study course and a Vedic Heritage Teaching Program for children. The Arsha Vidya bookstore has over 5000 publications on Vedanta, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Yoga, astrology, Ayurveda, philosophy and Indian history. Funding comes in the form of donations from people who value the Gurukulam’s offerings. Additional funds comes from bookstore sales.