Welcome to Sri Vidya Gurukula
Experience Shakti… a surreal river of peace & prosperity enriching everything it touches within you
About the Gurukula
Rooted in the timeless tradition of SriVidya, our Gurukula is a sacred learning space where seekers come together to chant, study, and practice.
Guided by Our founder Swami Pranavananda Saraswati (Swami Pranava) , we journey through mantra, Sanskrit, yoga, and meditation — harmonizing wisdom with daily life.

Weekly Learning Streams
Sri Vidya
Experience the transformative power of weekends Sri Vidya satsangs and group chanting guided by experienced mentors dedicated to ensuring precise pronunciation for every participant.
Samskritam
Unlock the essentials of Samskritam pronunication with our comprehensive program: master foundational concepts on Classical sanskrit slokas and Vedic hymns chanting. Elevate your language skills with expert guidance designed for absolute beginners.
Yoga and Meditation
Deepen your mantra sadhana with the harmonious practice of yoga asanas and pranayamas — enhancing your focus, energy flow, and spiritual connection for a more profound and balanced experience.
Mantra Sadhana
Get guided step-by-step to learn authentic Sri Vidya as taught in the Dakshinachara tradition. Perfect for beginners seeking a genuine spiritual journey!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SriVidya?
Knowledge about the worship of Goddess Lalita is known as Sri Vidya, one of the Dasa (10) Mahavidyas. This involves worshipping Chakras located within ourselves and without in form of Sri Yantra regularly. Culmination of this is the feeling of oneness with everything in the world and accepting the life the way it presents to you with no prejudice.
What and how are the courses offered ?
For lack of a better option, we had to use word ‘course’ which doesn’t do justice to what is being taught here. A course is something that we take over a period of time and then we get tested once at end to make sure we got it right. But what is being taught here is to be practiced for lifetime and thus offered in periodic intervals of time to not overwhelm the seeker. The test you get to write here is given daily for your lifetime at Altar space within you and result varies upon each individual’s sincerity and love for realizing the Truth. There are few practices that needs to be practiced spanning few months regularly in order to be qualified to next level and we’re here to help you all along the way.
All courses are offered online once during weekends. In Dec 2024, we launched new website www.Gurukula.org where all content from last few years as well as ongoing weekend Satsangs are arranged as individual Courses along with community features like live Messaging, Social groups, Assignments etc. Access to this site is limited enrolled Sadhaks.
All content being shared is strictly for personal use only and reproduction of it or sharing with others in any other form is not permitted.
Who is this for ?
This is for anyone who is devoting or willing to devote atleast 1 hr daily towards Spiritual practice as prescribed in ancient Hindu scriptures related to Sri Vidya. Familiarity with chanting Sanskrit verses will be very helpful so that language doesn’t become a barrier between you and God. To fill this gap, we’ve launched www.SanskritAcademy.org to familiarize devotees with basic foundations of Sanatana Dharma and Samskritam like Vedic chanting, Grammar etc
Is there any fee ?
No. All courses are offered absolutely free with no strings attached. In exchange, the expectation is that the seeker puts in sincere efforts to practice the knowledge being taught daily. Due to limited time and resources, we periodically evaluate progress being done from your side in order to make sure our time is well spent. We reserve full rights to remove any participant for any reason.
Why is website access restricted when Course is free ?
Text and Sanskrit mantras constitutes only 50% and the remainder gets learned subtly through direct interaction with preceptor. Our intent is to provide content with complete context in its entirety. To retain the purity and sanctity of knowledge, we only share it when the seeker is ready for it during the course.
One may easily find alternative open access websites elsewhere on web on Sri Vidya.
How can I sign up for the course?
You can click ‘Enroll Now’ button below -or- email admin@gurukula.org
Note that access to website is only provided for selected members who demonstrate genuine interest in sadhana.
Below video summarizes Swamiji’s approach on Sri Vidya:
https://youtu.be/3b1AGstDAzw
Begin your Sri Vidya journey today
I have been doing sadhana under the guidance of Swamiji for almost two and a half years. From the first time with blessings of the Gurus made me possible to do sadhana every single day, without even a break for a day. The traditional sadhanas thought by Swamiji leads us step by step closer to God. The life became peacful and I feel more love in my heart than before. These were the first steps, and there are a lot more until the final destination is reached. I do not know exactly what it is, but I have complete trust in Swamiji and the teachings of Sanathana Dharma.
I used to call myself a scattered devotee. Sometimes temples, Yoga on other occasions, Meditation on some etc. But after I joined Guruji, I was able to focus my energy towards doing puja, pranayama and Purushcharana in the right way. This focus is slowly spilling into other areas also like work and family. It is increasingly becoming more and more difficult to get angry or agitated. I have become more conscious of how I utilize my time, how I interact with others and how to prioritize activities. I am thankful to guruji as I am getting a sense of moving in the right direction. That itself is so fulfilling!
The Sri Vidya tradition fascinates me with its infinite depth as Brahma Vidya and its expansive nature, embracing Advaita, Kashmiri Shaivism, Zen, and Dzogchen. I find a harmonious balance of Gyan Yoga, Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, and Raja Yoga in daily sadhana. Swamiji’s approach is both traditional, connecting me to the lineage, and practical, perfect for a working lifestyle. His sadhana-based teachings allow me to connect deeply with myself, cultivating emotional awareness and detachment. This enhances my ability to stay focused and let go of distractions, bringing fulfillment and clarity to my spiritual and daily life.
I may not be the best at expressing my thoughts or intentions, but this is how I truly feel after following Guruji’s guidance. In today’s world, overwhelmed by constant information, it can be challenging to discover a spiritual routine for Mukti that is simple and applicable to daily life.Just as a mother nourishes and trains her children to become better individuals, Guruji patiently guides you through the steps of Devi Upasana, making the divine practice accessible and easier to follow.By following his advice and teachings, mastering Devi Upasana becomes a faster and more rewarding experience This path has helped me stay positive and handle life’s challenges with greater ease. Here are some of the results of my sadhana: I never imagined undertaking a Purascharana, yet I completed the Gayatri Purascharana in less than six months. My capacity for japam has greatly expanded—I can now sit for around 3 hours, whereas I previously struggled to sit for just 30 minutes. I've become more resilient to work stress, managing over 12-hour days while remaining focused and productive. I've seen significant progress in my Devi Upasana, something I couldn't have achieved without Guruji’s guidance.
I am filled with tremendous assurance that I am in the right place, even though it may take the rest of my life to complete all the steps in the Sri Vidya sadhana. At Sri Vidyalay, Swamiji provides all the procedures for the sadhana in bold font, making half of the job already done.Swamiji's passion for the Vedas is truly inspiring. His clarity in formulating the procedures and in-depth knowledge of rishis and Guru Parampara is truly remarkable. It's fascinating to see how he is able to compile numerous sadhana procedures in books; it's as if he is an incarnation of some rishis. Swamiji is well-prepared with books, videos, and audio for every sadhana, providing great relief for the sadhakas. His discipline and systematic approach are unparalleled, and greatly appreciated. This quality is lacking in many other places but is crucial for all sadhakas in the current time.Having visited many Sri Vidya schools, I can confidently say that Swamiji's institution is the best. It took about a week or 10 days for Swamiji to reply to my enquiry about joining the class. During the wait, I chanted Lalitha Sahasranama daily and prayed to Devi not to be rejected. Finally, I got in. I can't help but envy the sadhakas who joined in 2020 and have been in the right place from day one; they are truly lucky.After being initiated by Swamiji, I had a profound spiritual experience. The first Laghu Ganapathy puja and the following two days of receiving the 'Nyasa' vidhi were extraordinary. I had a darshan of Saraswathy in the early morning, followed by a darshan of Dakshinamurthy the next day, which assured me of being accepted by the Guru Parampara.I am deeply grateful to Swamiji for this. During my 52 Malas of 'Gayatri Purascharana Upasana', I was able to perform Harathi to the Golden Paduka of Vishwamitra Rishi, the Gayatri Mantra drishta. I had a beautiful experience where, before falling into deep sleep, I saw a vision of myself performing Harathi to the Golden Paduka. As I was coming to a waking state, I found myself whispering 'Vishwamitrasya Paduka', feeling incredibly blessed.Such experiences are invaluable for helping sadhakas overcome any self-doubt that may arise during their sadhana. CompareFinetune May the Lalitha Tripurasundari and all the Guru Mandala's and Swamiji to Bless us all to finish the whole Sri Vidya sadhana successfully and ultimately Experience ShivaShakthi aikkyam. Thank you Swamiji
I am extremely grateful for and impressed by the Sri Vidyalaya school. Swami Pranavananda Saraswati has created an adaptation of a pure high level ancient sadhana that is practically doable for sincere devotees and seekers during this modern era available globally.I have observed that Swamiji's integrity is impeccable and he is fully dedicated to the school and to supporting the students so that they can succeed. In my humble experience I can say that through following the guidance of Swamiji I have felt the Grace of Devi in my heart, just following the spiritual practice at home, as or more strongly than I have on pilgrimage to some of the top spiritual places in the world.I find that this is a program that anyone who is sincere can do, even along with their full time job and family obligations. The sadhana will transform us fundamentally in a profound and beautiful way, and helps bring out the light of the divine in all our life and relationships. After searching online I haven't found anything so pure and accessible as Sri Vidyalay. I am looking forward to the future of the school and being a member. In gratitude to Devi, Sri Matre Namah Sri Gurubhyo Namah
Swami Praṇavānanda is a teacher who belongs to the living tradition of Śrī Vidyā and has experienced the path of meditation firsthand. There is no doubt that his wisdom and personal experience have enriched my understanding of spiritual practice. He offers his students a heartfelt flow of knowledge, support, and opportunities to expand our learning — and he does so consistently.Gāyatrī Sādhanā has regenerated my mind, body, and being. This practice has helped me at work and allowed me to empathize with others. I see things and people as I have never seen them before. I am no longer tired or stressed. I am less fatigued from working and more energetic. I am more patient and generally more content and happy.The Śrī Mahāgaṇapati pūjā made it clear to me that suffering is the result of past karma. I learned that I should not ask God to remove these difficulties, but to give me the strength to overcome them. I know that I should not seek escape from the challenges, but to embrace them. I know that my path is divinely appointed.
For me, Gayatri Sadhana has been the most powerful and magical experience. Each day, I feel an inner transformation and a protective shield that guards me from the worldly struggles. It brings an unwavering wisdom that guides my instincts in facing daily challenges. It's truly beyond comprehension, dear saadhaks, how fortunate we are to be on this path. I am deeply indebted to Swamiji for his endless guidance and blessings.
Five months ago, I stumbled upon a brilliant video on the Devi Khadgamala Stotram, which led me to discover Sri Vidyalaya. At the time, I wasn’t sure if my email inquiry would even warrant a response—after all, I was in San Diego, scouring the vast ocean of the internet and YouTube videos in hopes of finding a way to learn something as sacred as Sri Vidya. Deep down, I feared it was a lofty dream.My life over the past 13 years had been a series of ever-tightening concentric circles of difficulty—uncertainty, instability, isolation, overwhelming responsibilities, painful losses, and a deep sense of lack, loneliness and vacuousness. More recently, these challenges had manifested as inexplicable physical pain with no medical prognosis.When I received acceptance into Sri Vidyalaya under Swami Pranavananda Saraswati—who, as it turned out, had lived in California for many years before returning to India—I was overjoyed. What makes this experience truly extraordinary is Guruji’s rare combination of profound knowledge, generous heart, and personal care. He invests immense time and energy into imparting nuanced wisdom that simply cannot be found easily, online or otherwise in my experience. His teachings are structured in a way that makes even the most complex concepts accessible and comprehensible.Guruji, along with his wonderful team, goes far beyond what words can convey—guiding us step by step, providing tools, courses, and PDFs, and even sending, at no cost, auspicious Banalingams and intricately carved Yantras internationally. The generosity, thoughtfulness, and blessings behind these gestures make me feel deeply special.On a personal level, since beginning this journey under Guruji’s grace, I have been able to chant the Lalitha Sahasranamam—something I had never dared to attempt before, been initiated into Gayatri Puruscharana and developed a special connection with Maha Ganapati. Not only that, I have started witnessing extraordinary shifts in my life, career, academics, energy and even in my children’s lives—changes I can only describe as miracles!The internal shift is also inexplicable – I feel deeply connected with everything, my self-awareness has increased – there is more acceptance and submission to divine will and grace. They say the right Guru appears when the student is ready. I now believe that all our struggles, pain, and hardships are but the necessary abrasions that polish the soul, awaken the heart, and prepare us for the path. I feel my true journey is only beginning as I take my first steps toward self-realization—Bhukti and Mukti—under the blessings and grace of our divine Guru Pranava and his sacred lineage.Sri Matre Namah! Sri Gurubhyo Namah!