About Brahma Vidya Gurukulam

Brahma Vidya Gurukulam is a seminary and teaching centre, disseminating the teachings of Sanatana Dharma (generally known as Hinduism) as expounded in the Vedas. The Vedas are ancient scriptures, which are approximately 10,000 years old according to modern scholars. The teachings of the Brahma Vidya Gurukulam are based on the Vedas as the logo clearly shows. Here the religion Sanatana Dharma (which is non-sectarian) is practised and Brahma Vidya taught. Brahma Vidya means the knowledge of Oneself as Brahman, which is limitless as it is beyond time and space.

The Upanishads contained in the end portion of the Vedas are the primary texts that reveal Brahma Vidya. The knowledge contained in the Upaniñads is otherwise called Vedanta. The Brahma Sutras and Bhagavad Gita depending upon the Upaniñads, aid, help or assist in communicating its vision. This wisdom remains applicable to all human conditions irrespective of time and place, hence, Sanatanam (eternal). Sanatana Dharma is the unfoldment of the Eternal laws of creation in a unique format, where the prescribed ‘way of life’ culminates in actualisation of the holistic ‘view of life’ or the ‘view of life’ presented culminates in a natural holistic ‘way of living’. It is difficult to glean the knowledge contained in the Vedantic texts from merely an academic point of view or from a person trained academically. Understanding arises only when a traditionally trained Master (guru) who, appreciating the Truth that Sastras reveal, being taught by a Master, unfolds it (Srotriya and Brahmanishtha). The word GURU is made up of two letters ‘Gu’ and ‘Ru’. ‘Gu’ stands for darkness and ‘Ru’ for the eliminator thereof. The one who eliminates darkness of ignorance with the light of knowledge is called a guru. The Master is the nerve-centre who lights the total teaching process.

A Gurukulam is the family or lineage of a Guru. The family of a Sannyasin (renunciate monastic) is made up of the lineage of the Guru and Siñyas (students). Gurukulam also means abode of the guru.

A Gurukulam is also an Ashram. An Ashram is a place where religious-minded people live together and practise the tenets set out in the Sastras (scriptures).

Tradition

The founder of Brahma Vidya Gurukulam is Pujya Sri Swami Brahmanistananda Saraswati. Swami Brahmanistananda is a senior disciple of Pujya Sri Swami Dayananda Saraswati, who is a disciple of Pujya Sri Swami Chinmayananda Saraswati. Pujya Sri Swami Chinmayananda was given sannyasa by Pujya Sri Swami Sivananda Saraswati, who himself was initiated by Pujya Sri Swami Vishvananda of the Sringeri tradition. Pujya Swami Chinmayananda Saraswati learnt the Upanishads under Pujya Swami Tapovanam Maharaj of Uttara Kashi, considered to be one of the three Vibhutis of Himalayas. Thus, the tradition of Bhagavatpada Adi Sankara is being followed and Advaita Siddhanta (non-dualism) is being taught.