Aacharya Ashish is a trained engineer who explored Vedic concepts from a position of logic for the past fourteen years and became a master in explaining the Vedic Philosophy scientifically. He has dedicated his life to spread Vedic Knowledge through social service. After completing modern education, he joined Darshan Yog Mahaavidyaalaya, Gujarat, and studied the different Aarsh Granthas (ancient authentic Vedic scriptures), including Nirukta, Vyaakarna, and Maharshi Patanjali's Ashtang Yoga, from Swami Satyapati. Aacharya Ashish is currently serving Vedic Sadhan Ashram, Tapovan, Dehradun, India as an Aacharya. He is an enthusiastic intellectual possessing the capability to elucidate the paramount, scientific, everlasting, irrefutable pragmatic principles of Vedas.


During his time in America, Aacharya Ashish dedicated himself to serve spiritual needs of our community in a multitude of ways. He led our weekly Services (Satsungs) on Sundays and delivered stirring lectures on the Patanjali Yog Sutras. This system of thought and practice is a primary reference to the philosophical system that flows from the teachings of the ancient Indian Yoga philosopher, Patanjali. 'Yoga', as used by Patanjali, refers to a state of mind wherein thoughts and feelings are held in check, and 'Sutra' means thread. Yog Sutra deals with the subject matter at a psychological, psychosomatic and metaphysical level. Though brief, this complex subject was made simple to understand by Aacharya Ashish. In doing so, one of the key challenges he presented to us was to re-dedicate ourselves to incorporating the practice in Ahimsa, or non-violence, into every aspect of life.

Such was the thirst for further understanding of Vedic Philosophy, Aacharya graciously agreed to lead weekly discourses on the practice of meditation. On the basis of Patanjali YogSutras he not only taught us how to effectively concentrate our thoughts and control our stress level but also encouraged members to ask questions about their own knowledge of Vedic concepts. On Saturday’s, Aacharya Ashish also taught members of our community stretching techniques, Aasanas -physical postures, and Pranayam -breathing exercises to further our physical well-being.

During the summer months, Aacharya Ashish lent special attention to the education and spiritual needs of our children. Three times a week, he conducted sessions to teach children in order to develop patience, truthfulness and duties toward self, family, society and nation. He also gave practical demonstration how to sharpen the memory through meditation and to develop physical and spiritual fitness by Praanaayam. How to nurture reasoning skills was an added outcome of his presentations. At the end of July, he also played an active role in leading the Temple’s annual Summer Camp.

Aacharya Ashish availed himself to the needs of our community during scheduled events and encouraged visits of members of community to ask questions at anytime on Vedic philosophy. I, personally, have fond memories of one evening when my family and I spent such an evening with Aacharya Ashish. He spent several hours patiently explaining many detailed aspects of Vedic teachings on which I had concerns.

The Greater Atlanta Vedic Temple truly benefited from the wisdom and generosity of Aacharya Ashish’s learned teachings. We feel we were very blessed and fortunate for such an experience. Although his presence is needed at the Vedic Saadhan Aashram in Dehradun, India, he will certainly be missed here in our community in America and we look forward to the next opportunity he will have to visit us.