Jan 7–11, 2026 | Venue: Arsha Vidya Gurukulam, Anaikatti (Coimbatore)

Themes:

🕉 Nītiśatakam of Bhartṛhari – a guide to right living, wisdom & discernment. (Acharya Jayakumar ji)

🕉 Being a Master of Desires – understanding & managing rāga–dveṣa psychology (Gita 3.34). (Acharya Srinivasan ji)

Highlights:

• 🪷 Dakshinamurthy Puja & Subramanya Puja
• 🪷 Vedanta classes, Yoga, Dhyaanam, Satsang (Q&A)
• 🪷 Experience ashram life amidst nature (elephant country 🐘)

The post Vedanta Retreat (2026) appeared first on Arsha Seva Kendram.

Arsha Seva Kendram celebrated this year’s Bhagavad Gita Jayanti on November 30 and December 1, 2025. On November 30, the students of the Kendram were blessed to receive an Anugraha Bhashanam from Swami Shankarananda Saraswati of Arsha Vidhya Gurukulam. On December 1, the students chanted the verses from the Bhagavad Gita. We present here a summary of Swamiji’s inspiring talk.

Search for Ultimate truth and freedom

The Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita are dialogues, but in the Gita, the exchange between Krishna and Arjuna feels more relatable to today’s human being. Arjuna, as a kshatriya, is bound to fight against adharma, yet he resists his duty and considers renouncing action through Sanyasa. His struggle mirrors our own tendency to avoid what we dislike and cling to what we prefer, driven by raga-dwesha (likes and dislikes). However, unlike us, Arjuna faces the painful dilemma of fighting revered figures such as his Guru and grandfather. Seeing Krishna as the all-knowing guide, Arjuna turns to Him for clarity on what is truly right: whether to follow the path of Preyas, doing karma or the path of Shreyas, absolute freedom where nothing remains to be accomplished, the state beyond all duties and attainments.

व्यामिश्रेणेव वाक्येन बुद्धिं मोहयसीव मे ।

तदेकं वद निश्चित्य येन श्रेयोऽहमाप्‍नुयाम् ॥3.2

Karma Yoga

Karma is every action we perform, rooted in the freedom to choose. It is kartrutantram – dependent on the doer or agent, and therefore never-ending. Escaping karma is not possible; instead, one should engage in karma yoga, focusing on the action itself without identifying with the results. Human action is only one of hundreds of factors influencing even a single outcome.  Since outcomes are beyond our control, they must be surrendered to Bhagavan.

कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन |

मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि ||2.47

Bhakta and Bhagavan

The four types of Bhaktas are those who seek Bhagavan in distress (Artha Bhakta), for fulfilling desires (Arthaarthi Bhakta), for knowledge (Jignaasu Bhakta), or with true wisdom (Gnani Bhakta). Bhagavan is unborn, eternal, unchanging, and the ordainer of all, manifesting creation while remaining untouched by it.

अजोऽपि सन्नव्ययात्मा भूतानामीश्वरोऽपि सन् ।
प्रकृतिं स्वामधिष्ठाय सम्भवाम्यात्ममायया ॥4.6॥

He is nitya (beyond time), sarvagata (all-pervading), avyaya (unchanging), and sanatana (ever existing). The Gnani Bhakta (wise person) realizes Bhagavan not through imagination but by recognizing Him as the indwelling witness in the heart and intellect—the one who watches every thought arise and pass away.

ईश्वरः सर्वभूतानां हृद्देशेऽर्जुन तिष्ठति ।
भ्रामयन्सर्वभूतानि यन्त्रारूढानि मायया ॥18.61॥

He is the cause of whatever occurs in vyavahaara as karma-phala-daata (the giver of the fruits of action) yet remains untouched by everything—avyaya. Surrendering with this clarity brings complete freedom, total peace, even when the mind is disturbed. It is eternal (sthanam)- that in which you are. You cannot be away from it. (shasvatam).

Uniqueness of the Bhagavad Gita

The Bhagavad Gita is not only a Moksha Shastra but also a Yoga Shastra, teaching us to perform our duty without being swayed by raga and dveṣa. In this way, it offers guidance for both absolute liberation and relative fulfillment, setting itself apart from other scriptures.

The post Bhagavad Gita Jayanti Celebration,Anugraha Bhashanam from Swami Shankarananda Saraswati appeared first on Arsha Seva Kendram.

The session began with traditional prayers invoking Adi Guru Dakṣiṇāmūrti and the entire Guru Paramparā, establishing a deeply spiritual atmosphere. Through his calm and soothing voice, Guruji transported participants into a tranquil meditative state, reminiscent of an early Margazhi morning in India.

Participants were guided to relax the body and especially the eyes, acknowledging modern-day visual strain. Guruji then explained the importance of meditation as taught by Bhagavān Sri Krishna in the Bhagavad Gītā, referencing teachings from Chapters VI and XII. He elaborated on the progression from abhyāsa (discipline and practice), to jñānam (knowledge of Ātma and life’s ultimate goal of mokṣa), to karma-phala-tyāga (renunciation of the results of action), which ultimately leads to śānti (peace).

Meditation (dhyānam) was defined as a sustained mental engagement with Saguṇa Brahman, and Guruji guided participants through a visualization of Sri Krishna in their chosen form. This was followed by devotional chanting and japa of Om Kṛṣṇāya Namaḥ, accompanied by symbolic offerings of flowers, creating a deeply personal and blissful inner experience.

The session concluded with a heartfelt Serenity Prayer, three Omkāras, and a śānti mantra. After gently opening their eyes, participants were left immersed in a profound sense of calm, devotion, and inner serenity.

The post World Meditation Day Summary (21 December 2025) appeared first on Arsha Seva Kendram.

The meaning of “Arsha Vidya Gurukulam”  is translated as “A place of receiving knowledge given by the Rishis”. This nurturing space fosters the transmission of wisdom from ancient sages to modern seekers, emphasising the importance of experiential learning and personal growth. Participants leave with not only knowledge but also a renewed sense of purpose and connection to their heritage.

In an era of digital overload and hyperactivity, 30 unique children, aged 8 to 12 years, with their parents gathered at Arsha Vidya Gurukulam, Anaikatti, Coimbatore, for a two-and-a-half-day summer retreat( 23rd May 2025 to the first half of 25th May 2025) that promised something different — a holistic, joyful, and grounding experience in the lap of tradition.

This wasn’t just another summer camp. It was a celebration of Indic living, an immersion into the treasures of the Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS), and a heartfelt effort to reconnect both children and their parents with time-tested values.

What set this camp apart was its inclusive, family-oriented approach. While children learned to appreciate tradition in a fun, experiential format, parents were taught Advaita Vedanta and insights into the essential aspects of Sanatana Dharma, while appreciating the urgent need in the current society for Hindu families to rediscover their identity and goals.  This term refers to physical and mental health.  Health is a byproduct of the teachings of Advaita Vedanta, but not the direct teaching.  Rather than just passive observers, parents became active co-learners, walking the path of inner transformation alongside their children.

As the camp concluded, there was a visible change — children humming slokas joyfully, children expressed their interest in attending winter camps, parents reflecting more mindfully, and families pausing to enjoy each other’s presence. The take-home wasn’t a certificate or a badge, but something far deeper:

A lived experience of India’s timeless wisdom — rooted, relevant, and radiant.

The post Children’s Summer Camp (2025) appeared first on Arsha Seva Kendram.

Eighteen schools bloomed. In Parnandabali, songs replaced the clinking of carried water bottles. In Idaiseval, sickness waned and scores soared. In Nachiyarapuram, clean water arrived, and safe toilets followed.

 From floor‑math to firm desks, from parched silence to laughter, ASK built more than waterlines; it built bridges to dignity, hope, and health. Now, a girl lifts a steel tumbler, sunlight shimmering within. She drinks, smiles, and begins to write on paper, and into her future.

“What changed? Just water, a desk, and a quiet belief: every drop and every child matters.”

1800 students across ten schools now drink clean water—Idaiseval leading the chart. Srinivasan Ji’s leadership inspired more schools to join the movement. Regular Thirukkural classes deepened values, and one school’s inauguration saw songs, recitations, sweets, and smiles.

Health improved. Dignity restored. Hope awakened.
  Pipes + Purifiers + Benches = Stronger Students

• ASK’s interventions spanned 18 schools across three categories, ensuring broad-based access.
• Middle schools (2 locations) and special schools (2 locations) saw the most concentrated improvements, while primary schools (14 locations) ensured every village child could drink clean water and sit at a sturdy desk.
• The synergy of clean water, ergonomic benches, and community buy‑in under Srinivasan Ji’s leadership has transformed classrooms into canvases of possibility.

School Locations and Types

1. Government Middle Schools

• Idaiseval
• Ayyaneri

2. Government Primary Schools

• Railway Colony
• Padanthapuli High School
• Padanthapuli Primary School
• Thalaikallupuram
• Namashivaya Puram
• Sivagnanapuram
• Villiseri
• Meithalaivan Galt
• Sallirapatly
• Gopalapuram
• Nachiyarapuram
• Nallstinupattur
• Suraikaipatli
• Hechilapuram

3. Shenba Special Schools

• Salaipudur
• Kamaraj Special School
  
  

These improvements have resulted in:

• Increased student attendance and participation
• Better classroom discipline and focus
• Appreciation & strong support from school management and teachers
• Healthy and dignified learning environment for children from economically weaker backgrounds

The post Rural School Infrastructure Development appeared first on Arsha Seva Kendram.

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The powerful story of little Prahlada’s unwavering devotion and the victory of dharma through Lord Narasimha’s avatar touched their hearts deeply.

A truly memorable day — filled with joy, wonder, learning, and inspiration!

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