दुर्दर्शं गूढमनुप्रविष्टं गुहाहितं गह्वरेष्ठं पुराणम् ।
अध्यात्मयोगाधिगमेन देवं मत्वा धीरो हर्षशोकौ जहाति ॥ १२ ॥
The wise sage who, by means of meditation on his Self, recognises the Ancient, who is difficult to be seen, who is unfathomable and concealed, who is hidden in the cave of the heart, who dwells in the abyss, who is lodged in intelligence, indeed renounces joy and sorrow. Katha Upanishad 1.2.12
अध्यात्मयोगाधिगमेन देवं मत्वा धीरो हर्षशोकौ जहाति ॥ १२ ॥
The wise sage who, by means of meditation on his Self, recognises the Ancient, who is difficult to be seen, who is unfathomable and concealed, who is hidden in the cave of the heart, who dwells in the abyss, who is lodged in intelligence, indeed renounces joy and sorrow. Katha Upanishad 1.2.12
Astanga yogagurukula
This is Dr Vidwan Vijaya Kumar’s traditional school of yoga.
It is set in the tranquil atmosphere of the historical village of Pandeshwara, in coastal southwest India. It is an ideal place to practise yoga in the land of its origin, offering an authentic environment for learning yoga from a teacher who is widely recognized for his skill and appeal. His method of teaching is based on the passing down of ancient Indian knowledge through generations.
Sharing all aspects of yoga Vijaya is particularly skilled, not only in the practices of yoga, but also in communicating his profound knowledge of traditional Indian philosophies.
The word Gurukula means a home of a teacher, a guru. When the students are living with the teacher it creates a special environment for teaching and learning. This allows both the students and the teacher to observe each other and to develop. It is the most recommended teaching style in the ancient Indian tradition. By long term observation and practice, a student is given a variety of spiritual and practical educations from the teacher, according to the student's ability.
Yogagurukula doesn't offer teacher training, what we offer is student training.
Only by being a student for a long time one can became a teacher one day.
The daily classes (asana, philosophy and chanting) are going on daily basis when ever we are open.
Students may come to stay with us whenever - Contact us for the availability.
Join us in our fb group here:
Students may come to stay with us whenever - Contact us for the availability.
Join us in our fb group here:
Yogagurukula from MANDALASHALA on Vimeo.
Dr. Vijaya Kumar Manja, or guruji, as his students call him, is a one-of-a-kind teacher – he teaches ashtanga yoga, philosophy, chanting, and so much more. He lives in the small village of Pandeshwar, in the state of Karnataka, India, where he turned his family home into a gurukula, which is the traditional education system from ancient India.
In a gurukula, the students live with their teacher in the same house. They learn from the teacher in very close proximity and help them and their family in their everyday life, which includes contributing to the daily household chores, such as cooking, cleaning, taking care of the animals, or caring for the shala.
The teacher does not charge a fee from the students because the relationship between them is considered sacred and because the teachings are invaluable – it is not possible to attribute a monetary value to the teachings. When the student leaves the gurukula, he or she offers dakshina to the teacher – a donation for the teachings – depending on the student's financial capacity at that particular moment. This way, no one is denied the chance to study. The only requirement is having an earnest desire to learn.
Guruji is also the village priest. He conducts the daily prayers at the temple and also attends other traditional events in the community, such as weddings, last rites and special deity ceremonies.
Living in the gurukula is quite a unique experience.
Life is simple, minimalistic. The level of material comfort is different from what most of us are used to.
The days are intense, with a full schedule of classes, daily chores to perform, sharing our personal space and energy with other students and the Manja family, living immersed in nature, the need to be constantly being mindful of the cultural context...
This framework of intense study and constant self-inquiry, together with the close living conditions, require a certain level of openness and surrender. If one shows up to this experience with resistance, a valuable part of the teachings will not have space to bloom.
The sattvic lifestyle of the gurukula – from the home-cooked food to the daily schedule of classes and duties, to the recommended behavior etiquette (that is meant to soften cultural differences) – is very conducive to learning, to going inwards, to quieting the mind, and it makes you more open to the personal transformation that can take place.
If one can surrender to this environment, a lot of magic can happen.
Guruji is a very special teacher.
As a philosophy teacher, he is insightful and thought-provoking. He is also a fantastic storyteller and has a wonderful sense of humor.
His chanting classes are very powerful. From the texts he chooses to the way he teaches – slowly moving through the mantras, focusing on the correct Sanskrit pronunciation and intonation –, to the deep resonance of his powerful voice leading the class. All of this allows for the vibration of these mantras to truly penetrate our bodies and to plant firm roots inside of us.
During asana practice, guruji moves silently and gracefully through the shala, intervening only when necessary and only to the extent needed. This silent and non-invasive approach – together with the darkness of the space, only lit by the dim flames of the oil lamps – is exceptionally conducive to inwardness and concentration, which allows the students to go deeper in their own practices of asana, pranayama, and meditation.
Guruji is also very involved in the daily running of the gurukula, besides the classes.
You can often see him milking the cows – Indu and Lakshmi –, stirring a big pot of upma or poha in the kitchen for everyone's breakfast, walking around with his 2-year old son Virochasana by the hand, or sitting at his desk on the porch, answering a student's existential questions.
Guruji is overall very approachable, friendly, down to earth. He is also evidently consistent in the way he lives his life with the teachings that he shares, which can be quite rare nowadays. As we all live together in such close proximity, this consistency can be easily seen. It is quite easy to observe. And this makes it easier to surrender to the teachings and to allow them to sink in deeply.
In the Sanskrit language, the word guru means "dispeller of darkness," darkness meaning ignorance, in the sense of bringing you closer to your true nature, your own reality. Being at the gurukula is this guru; the experience itself is the guru. And Dr. Vijaya Manja honors and performs his role as acharya – teacher – and as a guru, with dignity, devotion, patience, and compassion.
- by Diana Tarré, 2020
In a gurukula, the students live with their teacher in the same house. They learn from the teacher in very close proximity and help them and their family in their everyday life, which includes contributing to the daily household chores, such as cooking, cleaning, taking care of the animals, or caring for the shala.
The teacher does not charge a fee from the students because the relationship between them is considered sacred and because the teachings are invaluable – it is not possible to attribute a monetary value to the teachings. When the student leaves the gurukula, he or she offers dakshina to the teacher – a donation for the teachings – depending on the student's financial capacity at that particular moment. This way, no one is denied the chance to study. The only requirement is having an earnest desire to learn.
Guruji is also the village priest. He conducts the daily prayers at the temple and also attends other traditional events in the community, such as weddings, last rites and special deity ceremonies.
Living in the gurukula is quite a unique experience.
Life is simple, minimalistic. The level of material comfort is different from what most of us are used to.
The days are intense, with a full schedule of classes, daily chores to perform, sharing our personal space and energy with other students and the Manja family, living immersed in nature, the need to be constantly being mindful of the cultural context...
This framework of intense study and constant self-inquiry, together with the close living conditions, require a certain level of openness and surrender. If one shows up to this experience with resistance, a valuable part of the teachings will not have space to bloom.
The sattvic lifestyle of the gurukula – from the home-cooked food to the daily schedule of classes and duties, to the recommended behavior etiquette (that is meant to soften cultural differences) – is very conducive to learning, to going inwards, to quieting the mind, and it makes you more open to the personal transformation that can take place.
If one can surrender to this environment, a lot of magic can happen.
Guruji is a very special teacher.
As a philosophy teacher, he is insightful and thought-provoking. He is also a fantastic storyteller and has a wonderful sense of humor.
His chanting classes are very powerful. From the texts he chooses to the way he teaches – slowly moving through the mantras, focusing on the correct Sanskrit pronunciation and intonation –, to the deep resonance of his powerful voice leading the class. All of this allows for the vibration of these mantras to truly penetrate our bodies and to plant firm roots inside of us.
During asana practice, guruji moves silently and gracefully through the shala, intervening only when necessary and only to the extent needed. This silent and non-invasive approach – together with the darkness of the space, only lit by the dim flames of the oil lamps – is exceptionally conducive to inwardness and concentration, which allows the students to go deeper in their own practices of asana, pranayama, and meditation.
Guruji is also very involved in the daily running of the gurukula, besides the classes.
You can often see him milking the cows – Indu and Lakshmi –, stirring a big pot of upma or poha in the kitchen for everyone's breakfast, walking around with his 2-year old son Virochasana by the hand, or sitting at his desk on the porch, answering a student's existential questions.
Guruji is overall very approachable, friendly, down to earth. He is also evidently consistent in the way he lives his life with the teachings that he shares, which can be quite rare nowadays. As we all live together in such close proximity, this consistency can be easily seen. It is quite easy to observe. And this makes it easier to surrender to the teachings and to allow them to sink in deeply.
In the Sanskrit language, the word guru means "dispeller of darkness," darkness meaning ignorance, in the sense of bringing you closer to your true nature, your own reality. Being at the gurukula is this guru; the experience itself is the guru. And Dr. Vijaya Manja honors and performs his role as acharya – teacher – and as a guru, with dignity, devotion, patience, and compassion.
- by Diana Tarré, 2020
