Global Festival Of Oneness 2025 (GFO2025)

Jagadguru Adi Shankara Bhagavadpadacharya stands as a towering figure in the spiritual and philosophical history of India. He revived the ancient wisdom of the Upanishads through his profound teachings on Advaita Vedanta at a critical juncture of Bharatiya history. His profound and in-depth commentaries on the Prasthana-traya—the Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, and Brahma Sutras—laid the philosophical foundation of Bharatiya civilizaton for generations to come.

Not only was he a peerless thinker and logician, but also a devout poet, a yogi, and civilization builder. In his short life, he traveled the length and breadth of Bharat, establishing mathas, reviving temple worship, and rekindling the spiritual fire of the land.

INDICA Center for Moksha Studies (formerly Advaita Academy) is pleased to organize the 6th Edition of Global Festival of Oneness (GFO2025), our month-long online flagship programme dedicated to honoring the timeless life, profound teachings, and enduring legacy of Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya—one of the greatest spiritual luminaries and philosophers in the history of Bharat.

The festival serves as a sacred space for seekers, scholars, and sages from across the world to come together in collective reverence, reflection, and celebration. Through thoughtful discussions and illuminating talks, GFO2025 aims to rediscover and recontextualize the wisdom of Adi Shankaracharya for the contemporary world.

Starting May 02 till June 01, 2025, the festival will feature two daily sessions:

Morning Session: 7:00 AM – 8:00 AM IST

Evening Session: 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM IST

These sessions will explore the various dimensions of Bhagavadpadacharya’s contributions—his deep metaphysical insights, his lucid commentaries on the Prasthana-traya, his poetry, devotional works, and his unparalleled role in reviving and unifying the spiritual heritage of Bharatavarsha.

GFO2026 is not merely a commemoration, but an invitation to engage with the living tradition of Advaita Vedanta—a vision of oneness that transcends boundaries and continues to inspire seekers on the path of truth and liberation.

We are very pleased to share that we have been blessed with the Ashirvachanam of Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swamisri Sri Sadananda Saraswati Maharaj of Paschimamnaya Dwarka Sharada Peetham and of Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Gangadharendra Saraswati Swamiji or Shree Sonda Swarnavalli Mahasamsthanam.

Both the Ashirvachanams will be played during the Inaugural Session.

We warmly welcome one and all to join us in this month of spiritual learning, reflection, and celebration.

Detailed Schedule

Date & Day Session Topic Speaker
02-05-2025
Friday
Morning
( 7AM to 8 AM)
Opening Remarks Nithin Sridhar
Director & Chief Curator, INDICA Moksha
Welcome Address  Dr. Nagaraj Paturi
Kulapati | Vice-Chancellor, INDICA
Ashirvachanam  Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swamisri Sri Sadananda Saraswati Maharaj
Paschimamnaya Dwarka Sharada Peetham
Inaugural Address Prof. Sripada Subrahmanyam
Professor of Sanskrit (Retd.), Telugu University, Hyderabad
Ashirvachanam Shreemad Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Gangadharendra Saraswati Swamiji
Shree Sonda Swarnavalli Mahasamsthanam
Evening
( 7PM to 8PM)
Advaitic Vision – a solution for all conflicts Prof. Madhusudan Penna
03-05-2025
Saturday
Morning
( 7AM to 8 AM)
Shankara Bhagavadpada’s Manisha Panchakam Swamini Sadvidyananda
Teacher of Advaita Vedanta
Evening
( 7PM to 8PM)
Greatness of Adi Shankaracharya’s Prakarana Granthas Swamini Brahmaprajnananda
Teacher of Advaita Vedanta
04 -05-2025 Sunday Morning
( 7AM to 8 AM)
Contemplation on Supreme Truth: Mahavakya Vichara in Shankara-Bhashya Vidwan Manikandan Iyer
Traditional Vidwan and Banker

Evening
( 7PM to 8PM)
Greatness of Adi Shankaracharya’s Prakarana Granthas Swamini Brahmaprajnananda
Teacher of Advaita Vedanta
05-05-2025
Monday
Morning
( 7AM to 8 AM)
Reasoning in Adi Shankaracharya’s Adhyasa Bhashya Swami Narasimhananda
Monk, Ramakrishna Math
Evening
( 7PM to 8PM)
Shankaracharya’s Meditation verses on the Inner Self Uday Acharya
Teacher of Vedanta
06-05-2025 Tuesday Morning
( 7AM to 8 AM)
Gems of Wisdom from Prashnottara Ratna Malika Vidwan Shankar Rama Sharma
Traditional Vidwan and Techno-Linguistic Scholar at Vyoma Linguistic Labs
Evening
( 7PM to 8PM)
Select Names from Shankaracharya’s Vishnu Sahasranama Bhashya Vidwan Manikanta Somayaji Terala
07-05-2025 Wednesday Morning
( 7AM to 8 AM)
Perspectives on sadhana as in Bhadavatpada’s Brahma Sutra Bhashyam Vidwan K Giridhara Sarma
Electronic Engineer and Traditional Scholar
Evening
( 7PM to 8PM)
Is Jiva eternal?: An enquiry based on atmadhikarana Vidwan Jammadamalaka Srinivas
Director, IKS Research, Brhat Educational Trust, Co-founder, Kameswari Foundation
08-05-2025 Thursday Morning
( 7AM to 8 AM)
Drishti-Srishti Vada in Prashtana-trayi Bhashya Sudhanshu Shekhar
Additional Commissioner of Income Tax, Pune
Evening
( 7PM to 8PM)
Primary and secondary Sadhana in advaita vedanta Swami Brahmavidananda
Traditional & Contemporary Teacher Of Vedanta
09-05-2025
Friday
Morning
( 7AM to 8 AM)
Vedanta Concepts from Yoga Vashishtam
Vidwan Jammalamadaka Suryanarayana
Senior Project Manager, Siddhanta Knowledge Foundation, Co-founder, Kameswari Foundation
Evening
( 7PM to 8PM)
Vedanta and Science Prof Ramakrishna Hosur
10-05-2025 Saturday Morning
( 7AM to 8 AM)
Shankara Bhagavadpada’s Manisha Panchakam Swamini Sadvidyananda
Teacher of Advaita Vedanta
Evening
( 7PM to 8PM)
Bhashya Parayana- Kenopanishad Vidwan Manikandan Iyer
Traditional Vidwan and Banker

11-05-2025
Sunday
Morning
( 7AM to 8 AM)
Contemplation on Supreme Truth: Mahavakya Vichara in Shankara-Bhashya Vidwan Manikandan Iyer
Traditional Vidwan and Banker

Evening
( 7PM to 8PM)
Shankarayanam: The Journey of Shankara Book launch & Discussion with Author Subramanian Chidambaran
Indic Research Scholar and Carnatic Musician
12-05-2025
Monday
Morning
( 7AM to 8 AM)
Significance of Jijnasa as per Brahmasutra Bhasya Swami Nikhilananda Saraswati
Master Of Advaita Vedanta
Evening
( 7PM to 8PM)
Adi Shankaracharya’s Panduranga Ashtakam Vighnesh Chandrasekaran
Carnatic Musician and Harikatha Exponent
13-05-2025 Tuesday Morning
( 7AM to 8 AM)
Light of Shankara on Nature of Consciousness Swami Chidananda
Teacher Of Vedanta
Evening
( 7PM to 8PM)
Ishvara as Dispensor of Fruits of Acrions Vidwan Karthik Sharma K
Assistant Professor, Chinmaya Vishwa Vidyapeeth, Kochi, Kerala
14-05-2025
Wednesday
Morning ( 7AM to 8 AM) Advaita Bhakti In The Words Of Shankaracharya Anandha Ganesh
Member Secretary, Indian Council of Philosophical Research
Evening ( 7PM to 8PM) Anecdotes from Shankaracharya’s life for understanding Advaita Dr. Chinmayananda A
15-05-2025
Thursday
Morning ( 7AM to 8 AM) Renunciation is freedom Acharyaa Revathi
Evening ( 7PM to 8PM) Advaita in age of AI Prof. Prasad Kaipa
Co-founder, Institute of Indic Wisdom
16-05-2025
Friday
Morning ( 7AM to 8 AM) Panchakoshanishedha in Vivekachudamani Dr. Nagaraj Paturi
Kulapati | Vice-Chancellor, INDICA
Evening ( 7PM to 8PM) Advaita for Stress Management Neema Majmudar
17-05-2025
Saturday
Morning ( 7AM to 8 AM) Shankara Bhagavadpada’s Manisha Panchakam Swamini Sadvidyananda
Teacher of Advaita Vedanta
Evening ( 7PM to 8PM) Role of Mimamsa Shastra in studying and understanding Vedanta Dr. C Hariharan
18 -05-2025
Sunday
Morning ( 7AM to 8 AM) Contemplation on Supreme Truth: Mahavakya Vichara in Shankara-Bhashya Vidwan Manikandan Iyer
Traditional Vidwan and Banker
Evening ( 7PM to 8PM) Vakhyartha Sadas on Prasthanatraya Shaankara Bhashyam Moderator:
Dr. Nagaraj Paturi

Kulapati | Vice-Chancellor, INDICA
Sadas Adhyaksha: Mahamahopadhyaya Dr. Mani Dravid Shastrigal
Professor in Mimamsa Department at the Madras Sanskrit College, Chennai
 
 Participating Vidwans:
 1. Vidwan Dr. Shrihari Shivaram Dhaygude
Traditional Vidwan and Techno-Linguistic Scholar at Vyoma Linguistic Labs2. Vidwan Dr. K S Bilwesh SharmaAssistant professor, Dept. Of Vyakarana, Sampoornanand Sanskrit university, Varanasi

3. Vidwan Karthik Sharma K
Assistant Professor, Chinmaya Vishwa Vidyapeeth, Kochi, Kerala

4. Vidwan Dr. Srinivas Jammalamadaka
Director, IKS Research, Brhat Educational Trust, Co-founder, Kameswari Foundation
19-05-2025
Monday
Morning ( 7AM to 8 AM) आकाशाधिकरणम् – An Enquiry into Akasha (Sanskrit Talk) Vidwan Vachaspati Joshi Shastri
Adhyapaka , Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sankrita Pathashala Dharwad
Evening ( 7PM to 8PM) Vedanta Lessons for Youth Rajesh Sengamedu
Author
20-05-2025 Tuesday Morning ( 7AM to 8 AM) Jnani Lakshana In Bhagavadgita Vidwan Sandeep D Dixit
Assistant Professor, Department of Mechatronics Engineering
Evening ( 7PM to 8PM) In Praise of Shankara – Poetic Eulogies of the Jagadguru Shatavadhani Lalithadithya Gannavaram
21-05-2025 Wednesday Morning ( 7AM to 8 AM) On Brahmasutra’s Pratikadhikarana and Brahmadrishtyadhikarana: Self, Brahman and Symbols Dr. Nori Sivasenani
Data Science Manager, Microsoft, Hyderabad
Evening ( 7PM to 8PM) Shankara and Svadharma – Acharya for the ages James Boag
Yoga Teacher
22-05-2025 Thursday Morning ( 7AM to 8 AM) Philosophical Underpinnings of Hindu Values In Shankara’s Commentaries Swami Japasiddhananda
Head of the Department, Sanskrit and Philosophy, School of Indian Heritage at Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute
Evening ( 7PM to 8PM) From Spirituality to Divinity Swami Samarpanananda
Monk/ Sannyasi, Writer and Teacher
23-05-2025
Friday
Morning ( 7AM to 8 AM) जडत्वहेतूपपत्तिः – Inertness as a ground for Unreality (Sanskrit Talk) Dr. Tulasi Kumar Joshi
Assistant Professor, Department of Sanskrit, Vasanta College for Women, Rajghat, Varanasi
Evening ( 7PM to 8PM)  
24-05-2025 Saturday Morning ( 7AM to 8 AM) Shankara Bhagavadpada’s Manisha Panchakam Swamini Sadvidyananda
Teacher of Advaita Vedanta
Evening ( 7PM to 8PM) Bhashya Parayana- Aitereyopanishad Vidwan Dr. Srinivas Jammalamadaka
Director, IKS Research, Brhat Educational Trust, Co-founder, Kameswari Foundation
25-05-2025
Sunday
Morning ( 7AM to 8 AM) Contemplation on Supreme Truth: Mahavakya Vichara in Shankara-Bhashya Vidwan Manikandan Iyer
Traditional Vidwan and Banker

Evening ( 7PM to 8PM) Panel Discussion on ‘Shankaracharya’s Teachings to Shape 22nd Century Bharat’ 1. Matrushree Ananthalakshmi Adinarayanan
Co-Founder Anaadi Foundation and DharmaGurukulam, Author, Indian Knowledge Systems expert

2. Ravishankar Gundlapalli
Founder & CEO of MentorCloud

3. Surendranath Chandranath
Columnist and Speaker
26-05-2025 Monday Morning ( 7AM to 8 AM) Warmth of Adwaitbodha within devotion : Stotras of Shankaracharya and confluencing insights of Vallabhacharya Vidushi Maitri Gowswami
A Practioner of Pushti-Bhakti-Marg and a Direct Descendent of Mahaprabhu Shri Vallabhacharya
Evening ( 7PM to 8PM) From Body-Mind to Consciousness: The Spiritual Evolution Swami Shantivratananda
Monk/ Sannyasin, Minister in Charge of Ramakrishna Vedanta Centre, Dublin, (nee Eire Vedanta Society) Ireland
27-05-2025 Tuesday Morning ( 7AM to 8 AM) The Nature of Knowledge and its Means Satyan Chidambaran
Student of Vedanta and Sanskrit
Evening ( 7PM to 8PM) Inculcating Vedanta Consciousness in Daily Life Swami Aparajitananda
Teacher of Advaita Vedanta
28-05-2025 Wednesday Morning ( 7AM to 8 AM) Salient Features of Adi Sankara’s Introductory Bhashya to the Bhagavad-Gita Swamini Svatmavidyananda
Acharya of Arsha Vijnana Gurukulam based in Eugene, OR
Evening ( 7PM to 8PM) Drawing Inspiration from Sankaracharya and Tamil Siddhas for Loka Sangraha Siddhayogi Shriman Adinarayanan
Siddhayogi | Spiritual Guru | Founder, Anaadi Foundation | TEDx Speaker
29-05-2025 Thursday Morning ( 7AM to 8 AM) Adhyaropa-Apavada: Adi Shankara’s Master Key to the teaching of Advaita Vedanta Swami Sachidananda Saraswati
Vedanta Teacher, Peetadhipati (head) of Sri Vasavi Peetam, Bangalore
Evening ( 7PM to 8PM) Bhagavatpada Adi Shankaracharya’s influence on Muthuswami Dikshitar Deepa Bhaskaran
Student of Advaita Vedanta, Storyteller on Itihasa/Puranas
30-05-2025
Friday
Morning ( 7AM to 8 AM) देवतानां विग्रहवत्त्वम् – On the Physicality of Devatas (Sanskrit Talk) Prof. Ganesh Ishwar Bhat
HOD & Professor in Advaita Vedanta Department, Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan(Deemed University) Rajiv Gandhi Campus, SRINGERI
Evening ( 7PM to 8PM) Shankara Bhagavadpadacharya’s outlook towards Manusmriti Nithin Sridhar
Director & Chief Curator, INDICA Moksha
31-05-2025 Saturday Morning ( 7AM to 8 AM) Shankara Bhagavadpada’s Manisha Panchakam Swamini Sadvidyananda
Teacher of Advaita Vedanta
Evening ( 7PM to 8PM) Hinduism: A Vast Tapestry of Age Old Truths
Book Discussion With Author
Prof. V Krishnamurthy
Ex-Director of K.K. Birla Academy, New Delhi
01-06-2025
Sunday
Morning ( 7AM to 8 AM) Concluding Session

Marriage In Sanatana Dharma : A Revisit

Marriage in Sanatana Dharma is not a mere pact or contact, agreement or adjustment. It is intended to be a great samskaara, a threefold refinement that works at the levels of mind, speech and body; the individual, family and society; physical, emotional and intellectual needs. It is for this multilayered purpose, marriage in Sanatana Dharma is manifolded and variegated. Just by understanding the nature of marriage in Sanatana Dharma, one can realize the magnanimity of true Indian culture and its objective of universal well-being.

In this short, informal and introductory talk, a glimpse of Hindu marriage in its essential features will be explained.

सूर्य – Majestic God Of Radiance ( Hindi Talk )

In Sanatan Dharma, Surya is a very important diety. It is also known by names such as Aditya, Arka, Bhānu, Savitṛ, Pūṣan, Ravi, Mārtāṇḍa, Mitra, Bhāskara, Prabhākara, Kathiravan, and Vivasvat. The famous Surya Namaskara is basically a worship of the Sun.

In this lecture, Dr Omkar will enunciate upon the glory of this great deity of Radiance who touches every aspect and every form of life.

Atma Upanishad

Atma Upanishad delves deep into Atma Jnana.Totally Four levels of Atman are identified :Jeeva Atma,Antar Atma ,Vijnana Atma and finally Parama Atma.

Jeeva Atman as body level of self consciousness .Antar Atma as the mental,emotional and intellectual levels of self consciousness.Vijnana Atma is the philosophical knowledge level of self consciousness and finally Parama Atma is transcendental supreme Brahman level of Self Consciousness which encompasses all the levels of self consciousness of all beings.This Advaita level of self consciousness when reached by the individual by transcending the above stated other three levels Moksha state of Kaivalya is attained.

Introduction To Paramahamsa Upanishad

The Paramahansa Upanishad is one of the 108 Upanishads in the Muktika Canon and is counted among the Sannyasa Upanishads. The Upanishad is a discourse between Bhagavan Brahma and Rishi Narada. Their conversation is centered on the characteristics of Paramahansa Yogi.

A Paramahansa is a highly exalted spiritual personality. In this Upanishad the attributes of a real Paramahansa are described in detail. A Paramahansa renounces the world and establishes himself in the Supreme Being always. He is equanimous to everything and he is a Sthitaprajna.He is free from the effects of all dualities. A Paramahansa is always established in the supreme state of Advaita . He is in Brahmi state of Supreme Self Awareness and hence is always liberated from all bondage.

Prof. CSR Prabhu will provide a detailed introduction and overview of the teachings of the text.

The Essential Yoga Practice

The yoga śāstra offers us a compass, map and user’s guide for the human experience. It also offers us thousands of wonderful yoga techniques.

However, from a certain perspective, the amazing benefits of these techniques are only accessed when the practice is rooted in the foundation principles of the yama-s. The first of the aṣṭāṅga/eight limbs, the yama-s are described by Patañjali in the yoga sūtra as the essential, all times, all places practice.

This session will elucidate why the yama principles are considered the essential practice, how they facilitate and support all other practice methods, and how they provide robust, reliable references to cultivate yogic steadiness amidst the inevitable ups and downs, comings and goings of life.

Shukarahasya Upanishad: An Introduction

Shri Shuka Rahasya Upanishad stands out as the tallest and in fact the very top most tip of all the 108 Upanishads and hence celebrated to be at the very apex point of Vedanta Darshana.

Being a direct instruction of Advaita , both in theory and practice , directly from Lord Shiva himself to Shri Shuka on the occasion of Upanayanam of Shri Shuka , it resulted in total transformation of Shri Shuka into a Brahmi Bhoota , a personality of total identification with Brahman .

This Upanishad contains the formal Mantra Upadesha of the Four Maha Vakyas of Vedanta using the Six Angas and also the Anga Nyasa and Kara Nyasa.

The study , understanding and practice of the procedure of Anusthana given in this Upanishad results in definite Release or Moksha from the World of Karma and Maya resulting in being established in a total state of Advaita

భగవద్గీత శ్రీశంకరాచార్యుల భాష్యంతో

భగవద్గీత అనే అమృతాన్ని ఆస్వాదించడానికి సిద్ధంగా ఉన్న జిజ్ఞాసువులం మనమంతా. ఒక ప్రసిద్ధ శ్లోకంలో ఇలా చెప్పారు. ఉపనిషత్తులన్నింటిని ఆవులతో పోలిస్తే, శ్రీకృష్ణుడిని గోపాలుడిగా భావిస్తే, అర్జునుడు లేగ దూడ స్థానంలోని వాడు. ఉపనిషత్తుల సారమే గీతామృతం అనే పాలు. దూడకు చేపు వదిలిన తర్వాత మనం పాలు పితుకుకున్నట్లే మనలాంటి జిజ్ఞాసువులందరూ ఆ అమృతాన్ని సేవించే భోక్తలు. ఇంపుగా ఉంటుంది కాబట్టి అమృతం అని కాదు. అజ్ఞానం మృత్యువు లాంటిది అంటుంది వేదాంతం. దాని నుండి కాపాడడానికి జ్ఞానం కావాలి. ఆ జ్ఞానమే అమృతం. ఇది వేదాంత శాస్త్రంలోని పారిభాషిక పదం.

భగవద్గీతను బ్రహ్మవిద్య అని, యోగశాస్త్రమని, సకల వేదార్థానికి సంగ్రహమని వ్యాఖ్యానించారు. ఇది మనకెందుకు అనే ప్రశ్న రావచ్చు. ఇది అన్ని దేశాలకు, అన్ని కాలాలకు, అందరికీ అవసరమైన విషయం. ప్రపంచంలో ఇవాళ జరుగుతున్న సంస్కృతుల పోరాటాన్ని గమనిస్తే మన మనసుల్లో మెదిలే అనేక ప్రశ్నలకు సమాధానం కావాలంటే భగవద్గీతను తెలుసుకోవాలి. విష్ణువు గొప్పవాడా శివుడు గొప్పవాడా లేదా గణేశుడు అందరికంటే గొప్పవాడా మొదలైన ప్రశ్నలు మన పిల్లలు వేస్తే సమాధానం చెప్పగలగాలి. అందరికంటే గొప్ప దేవుడు ఎవరు, అతడు ఎక్కడ ఉంటాడు అంటే సమాధానం చెప్పగలగాలి., మన సమాజంలో కులవ్యవస్థ ఎలా వచ్చింది దేవుడు సృష్టించాడా అంటే సమాధానానికి భగవద్గీతకు రావాలి.

మనం విగ్రహాన్ని ఎందుకు పూజిస్తున్నాము అంటే సమాధానం కోసం భగవద్గీతకు రావాలి. ఇలాగా ఈనాటి సమాజంలో మన ఎదుర్కొంటున్నటువంటి అనేక సందేహాలకు సమాధానం భగవద్గీతలో దొరుకుతుంది. సమాజంలోని అశాంతికి మూల కారణం ఉపనిషత్తుల సారమైన భగవద్గీతను తెలుసుకోకపోవడమే అని కచ్చితంగా చెప్పవచ్చు. కేవలం మన సమాజమే కాదు ప్రపంచంలో ప్రపంచమంతటా శాంతి నెలకొల్పాలంటే దానికి పునాది భగవద్గీత అని చెప్పవచ్చు.

అలాంటి భగవద్గీతకు శ్రీ శంకర భగవత్ పాదులు విపులమైన వ్యాఖ్యను వ్రాశారు. ఆ వ్యాఖ్యను అర్థం చేసుకొని మన సందేహాల్ని నివారించుకోవడం, అందులో చెప్పిన ఆత్మజ్ఞానాన్ని పొందడానికి ప్రయత్నించడం మన భాగ్యం.

తేది 09 జనవరి 2025 నుండి ప్రారంభం

ప్రతి సోమ మరియు బుధ వారములలో

సమయం: ఉదయం 10.00 నుండి 10.45 వరకు

Sarva Darshana Of Sarva Dharma

With the advent of Sri Ramakrishna, the possibility for universal understanding between spiritual paths and religions, has expanded considerably. Babaji has composed his new book, Footfalls of the Indian Rishis based upon this principle, revealing India’s stunning contribution to it. A brief discourse of key elements of the book will both support and clarify this important facet of spiritual life.

Living The Yoga Sūtra-s

‘I wish there was a user’s guide for this human incarnation thing!’ Said the seeker.

‘There is!’ Replied my teacher, ‘Patañjali’s Yoga Sūtra distils the foundation principles of yoga and gives us a practice manual for a human birth. These sūtra-s are the stiches that weave together the fabric of unity.’ And, as we’ll explore in this session, the principles set out in the yoga sūtra can help us weave deepening harmony into the whole of our lives and help us remember more fully who we really are.

-As described by the speaker, James Boag.