The Tradition
The teaching of Vedanta reaches you through an unbroken chain of teachers and students that goes back thousands of years. This is not a philosophy invented by someone, but a knowledge that has been preserved and transmitted with care and precision.
Why does the lineage matter?
Vedanta is not an opinion or interpretation. It's a means of knowledge that reveals the nature of the self. Like any means of knowledge, it needs to be learned properly to function.
The lineage guarantees that the knowledge arrives without distortions, preserving the original method and meaning. Each teacher was once a student, learned the tradition entirely, and only then transmitted it to the next generation.
The Lineage
Śrī Medhā Dakṣiṇāmūrti
The original source of teaching. Śiva as the silent teacher — the one who teaches through silence, sitting under the banyan tree, facing south. The knowledge of Vedanta begins here.
Systematized the teaching of Vedanta. His commentaries on the central texts — Upaniṣads, Brahmasūtra and Bhagavad Gītā — are the foundation of study to this day. Founded the 4 maṭhas that preserve the tradition.
Senior Śaṅkarācārya of Śṛṅgeri Śāradā Pīṭham. Guardian of the institutional lineage founded by Ādi Śaṅkarācārya himself in southern India, uninterruptedly maintaining the succession of masters since the 8th century.
Śaṅkarācārya designated as successor at Śṛṅgeri Maṭh. Continuator of the lineage alongside Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamiji.
Renewed the teaching of Vedanta for the modern world. Journalist by training, became sannyāsī and brought the teaching of scriptures to cities, inspiring the creation of teacher training centers.
Direct teacher of Jonas. Created Arsha Vidya Gurukulam and structured the teaching method that previously occurred organically in the Himalayas. Trained hundreds of teachers worldwide.
Teacher in Brazil. Founder of Vidya Mandir, in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro. Guide of the current work of Vedanta in Brazil.
Current Ācārya of Arsha Vidya Gurukulam in Rishikesh. Studied with Jonas in India, at the feet of Swami Dayananda. Direct continuator of the lineage.
A tribute to this very special person, who was Ācārya Jonas's first teacher. Spent some years in Brazil and introduced this tradition to him. Our entire family has deep reverence for Santosh Vallury.
Director of Vishva Vidya Organization. Padma Shri 2025. Teaches Vedanta in Brazil, preserving the tradition faithfully, accessibly and relevantly for the contemporary world.
“For everything in the world, a teacher facilitates.
For the knowledge of oneself, a teacher is indispensable — for without one, we are trapped in the very ignorance we wish to overcome.”
Arsha Vidya Tradition
What is Arsha Vidya?
Arsha means “of the ṛṣis” (sages). Vidya means knowledge. Arsha Vidya is the knowledge that comes from the sages — the Vedic tradition in its purest form.
It's not a religion or philosophy, but a methodology to study the Vedas and understand their meaning. The focus is on the Upaniṣads — the portion of the Vedas that deals with self-knowledge.
The study is systematic, verse by verse, with traditional Sanskrit analysis and practical application for modern life.
The Teaching Method
Traditional Texts
Upaniṣads, Bhagavad Gītā and other central texts studied in Sanskrit with precise translations.
Systematic Analysis
Each verse is analyzed grammatically, philosophically and practically, revealing its complete meaning.
Self-Knowledge
The goal is not intellectual understanding, but the recognition of who you truly are.
Arsha Vidya Centers Worldwide
Rishikesh, India
Current center, led by Swami Sākṣātkṛtānanda Saraswati. Residential courses in Sanskrit and Vedanta.
arshavidya.in →Pennsylvania, USA
Original center founded by Swami Dayananda. Courses in English and teacher training.
arshavidya.org →Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Vidya Mandir, founded by Glória Arieira. Courses in Portuguese since the 80s.
vidyamandir.org.br →Brazil (Online)
Vishva Vidya, led by Jonas Masetti. Online courses and in-person retreats.
Study with us →Join this tradition
Start with Deep Meditation — five free classes that introduce you to the knowledge of Vedanta.
Start the free courseFree course on meditation and introduction to Vedanta