International Vedanta Society
Welcome to our newly established ashram in the heart of Bali
OUR TEAM
OUR FOUNDER
Sri Sri Bhagavan 1942 to 2023
Sri Bhagavan is the founder and the Core of the International Vedanta Society. He has created this organisation for one reason; to inspire mankind to strive for the realisation of the highest Truth.
Sri Bhagavan founded the International Vedanta Society in Assam, India in 1989. Since then the organisation has spread internationally inspiring many people to dedicate their life in pursuit of the highest realisation of Truth. Many hundreds of Bhagavan’s devotees have had substantial realisations after entering into Samadhi and many thousand more are established upon the path.
Sri Bhagavan, an Enlightened Master of the highest order, gave up His mortal form, entering into Maha Samadhi on May 27 2023. He has many devotees from all parts of the world, at the time of His departure many of His devotees had already attained enlightenment themselves.
Having opened their hearts to Him by simply hearing His voice or reading His words, some pure souls entered directly into Samadhi, resulting in considerable realisation very quickly. Sri Bhagavan has been described as the embodiment of Love and its through the medium of Love that He transmited spirituality. By simply feeling His love His devotees could not help but fall in love, resulting in the dissolution of any individual ego and the highest experience of unity with God. Anything is possible when the arena of sport is not of this world, and so it is that Sri Sri Bhagavan let go of His mortal form, and went beyond all limitation and merged with the Eternal.
Sri Bhagavan has always been and continues to be the very Heart and Soul of the organisation; He continues to live in the hearts of His many devotees who have been inspired to continue His work and expand the organisation, and practice spirituality in a whole-hearted way.
The key to the success of His devotees’ practice is that they believe (without doubt) in the words of the ancient scriptures, aligned with the words of Sri Bhagavan. His every utterance is Scripture, because each word came from His realisation. All His words come from that “place” which is beyond all illusion, and He spoke to that “place” inside all who listen to His words.
The International Vedanta Society was established on November 19th, which is the birth anniversary of Sri Bhagavan’s Guru, Swami Pavitranandaji, to whom Sri Bhagavan owes His life. In the International Vedanta Society, it is to our Guru, Sri Bhagavan, that we are devoted. Without Whom we would all be attached to the inertia causing fear of the “snake in the rope,” meaning investing reality in that which is not.
Pravrajika Shraddha Prana Mata
Pravrajika Shraddha Prana Mata has been working hard to materialise her vision of establishing an Ashram in Bali. She has been successful and her ashram is now open to welcome visitors from all over the world.
It is located in the Island of Bali, where Shraddha Prana Mata has integrated into the village. The local tribe, known as the Bali Aga, who are the original inhabitants of Bali and holders of ancient sacred knowledge, have opened their hearts and not only accept her, but also actively support her work and help with the running of the Ashram. The local women and children enjoy her presence and are learning practices from the ashram, including how to calm the mind and be at peace.
The ashram was inaugurated on the auspicious day of January 12th 2024 by Swami Keshavananda Maharaj Ji, who is the honorary President of of IVS, aswell as Swami Sankarananda Maharaji, who is the General Secretary of IVS and Swami Saccidananda Maharaji who is the Convenor of IVS. The inauguration ceremony was performed according to both Balinese and Indian customs. It was a beautiful ceremony, breaking down the barriers of differentiation and creating a feeling of oneness which was experienced by all present.
There are daily programs and monthly meditation retreats for people who are interested in learning or deepening their spiritual practice. These retreats often include guidance from senior members of IVS including Senior monks from India, who will share their knowledge and support participants to immerse within. The beautiful spiritual and natural environment of the Ashram will itself support spiritual practice.
Pravrajika Shraddha Prana Mata has been a devotee of Sri Bhagavan ( International Vedanta Society ) since 2015. During that time her character has transformed from a serious, worldly person to a genteel, caring and smiling devotee. She is living a blissful life under Bhagavan’s Grace. With her large heart, she shares the love and teaching of practical Vedanta to all around her and is a role model to many. She had been searching for the truth for a long time and when she met Bhagavan, she knew that she had found her path; her determination and discipline enabled her to melt all the outer layers and the Truth was revealed.
