Teachers
Sri Swami Dayananda Saraswati (1930-2015)
Swami Tadatmananda’s guru, Pujya Swami Dayananda Saraswati, was a distinguished, traditional teacher of advaita Vedanta. With profound spiritual wisdom and deep appreciation of contemporary culture, he conveyed the vision of non-duality to modern listeners with great clarity. Pujya Swamiji taught Vedanta in India for more than five decades, and around the world since 1976. He spoke at prestigious American universities and addressed international conventions, UNESCO, and the United Nations, where he participated in the Millennium Peace Summit. He founded the All India Movement (AIM) for Seva which brings assistance to villagers in remote areas of India. He also instituted the Acarya Sabha, uniting India’s spiritual leaders in a single body. Pujya Swami Dayananda trained many future teachers by conducting residential, three-year courses in Vedanta and Sanskrit. Five were conducted in India and two in the United States. Each course graduated about 60 qualified teachers, many of whom are now active around the world. More than two hundred of them have been initiated as swamis and swaminis. Pujya Swamiji is the author of dozens of books, including the highly-regarded Bhagavad Gita Home Study Program. Under his guidance, numerous centers for Vedantic teaching have been founded around the world, including:- Arsha Vidya Gurukulam, Coimbatore
- Swami Dayananda Ashram, Rishikesh
- Arsha Vijnana Gurukulam, Nagpur
- Arsha Vidya Gurukulam, Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania
Sri Swami Tadatmananda Saraswati
Swami Tadatmananda is the founder and resident teacher of Arsha Bodha Center. From 1981 onwards, he studied in the U.S. and India under Pujya Swami Dayananda. He attended a three-year residential course in Vedanta and Sanskrit taught by Pujya Swamiji at Arsha Vidya Gurukulam (Saylorsburg) in 1987-1989 and later served as the Gurukulam’s manager. After Pujya Swamiji initiated him into sannyasa in 1993, he taught at the Gurukulam and around the country until establishing his ashram, Arsha Bodha Center, in 2000.
Swami Tadatmananda is a scholar of Sanskrit and former computer engineer. His background allows him to draw upon contemporary scientific and psychological insights while unfolding sacred Sanskrit scriptures. He thus endows the spiritual teachings of ancient India with great relevance and clarity. He has authored several books and CDs including “Roar of the Ganges” and “Meditation: A Journey of Discovery.”
His teachings are full of warmth and humor; his style is informal and personal. He relates easily to all, including teenagers and children who love to sing bhajans to his guitar accompaniment.
To contact Swamiji, email SwamiT@arshabodha.org
Vasanthi-ji
Vasanthi’s journey with Vedanta began in 1988 in Chennai, under the guidance of Swami Paramarthananda, a senior disciple of Pujya Swami Dayananda Saraswati. After moving to the United States to attend graduate school, she continued her studies under Swami Tadatmananda at Arsha Bodha Center, deepening her knowledge of Vedanta and Sanskrit. Currently serving as Swamiji’s assistant, Vasanthi shares her decades of study as a teacher of Vedanta, Sanskrit, Meditation, and Chanting. She balances her deep love for the tradition with a genuine dedication to serving the community and managing the ashram’s programs. Vasanthi directs the Jana Raksha Community Care Program, serves as Secretary for the Dayananda Anugraha Fund, and coordinates the Arsha Parivar and Home Study Group programs.
To contact Vasanthi, email Vasanthi@arshabodha.org