Durban - Indian philosopher, Swami Parthasarathy, and daughter-disciple Sunandaji will visit South Africa for a series of public lectures and corporate seminars.
Swami Parthasarathy or Swamiji, as he is popularly known, is an eminent philosopher and author.
According to the Vedanta Institute in South Africa, he renounced a lucrative shipping business in early life and dedicated himself to the full-time study, research and propagation of Vedanta, the ancient philosophy of India. Over the course of six decades, he has aimed to infuse its wisdom into contemporary life for peaceful and productive living.
Swamiji is not your typical saffron-clad Indian holy man, according to the institute. At 88, he follows a daily schedule of yoga and jogging, study and contemplation. And he still wins many man-of-the-match awards for his Academy cricket team.
Swamiji’s findings, discourses and seminars have been extensively featured in television and print media. He has authored 10 books, three of them best-sellers.
For more than 40 years, Swamiji has been travelling the globe to address audiences at prestigious organisations, universities and corporations about Vedanta. In 1988 he founded the Vedanta Academy where he imparts knowledge to young students from all over the world.
Parthasarathy’s daughter, Sunandaji, had a rare upbringing in a traditional Indian spiritual academy (an ashram) in India. She grew up in an environment of thinking, contemplation and deep enquiry, and later decided to follow in her father’s footsteps and dedicate her life to the study and dissemination of Vedanta.
Since then, she has addressed and inspired diverse audiences across five continents. Her clear and powerful presentation of ancient wisdom in contemporary thought has been acclaimed by prestigious organisations including the Young Presidents Organisation, Harvard University and Rotary International.
In lectures in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, Sunandaji will speak on the Bhagavad Gita, The Song of the Lord, which is a conversation between Lord Krishna and the mighty warrior-prince Arjuna. The Gita is set on the battlefield of Kurukshetra.
“Against such a backdrop, the Gita presents a message that transcends race, religion, caste and creed to provide a dynamic and practical philosophy which expounds the technique of living for a successful and peaceful life. Above all, it ushers one towards the ultimate goal of spiritual enlightenment,” the institute says.
Lectures are free. All are welcome. No booking required. For more information, call 031 461 1595 or 011 450 2448. Or e-mail [email protected]
Lectures in Durban:
SWAMI PARTHASARATHY:
Vedanta for Practical Life, August 11; 6.15-7.30pm Durban High School, 255 St Thomas Road, Musgrave
SUNANDAJI:
Yoga of Knowledge, Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 2 August 12-15; 6.15pm-8pm Penzance School, Bartle Road, Glenwood
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