Swami Ishatmananda will be 2026’s featured speaker, delivering an address entitled, “Holy Mother: Embodiment of Vedanta“. He will be joined by Consul General of India, Sri Prakash Gupta and Senior Swami Aparananda, who will each deliver a brief addresses. After a Q&A and musical entertainment, guests will enjoy a casual, potluck-style luncheon. Additionally, we will have spiritual books for sale throughout the event.
This is an in-person event, with no livestreaming, but video of each Swami’s talk will be captured and loaded to YouTube at a future date.
Like all Vedanta Society events, there is no charge and all are welcome. You are invited to bring a healthy vegetarian potluck item. We greatly appreciate vegetarian main dishes. Please, we will not be hosting any cooking on the premises that day, but some warming of dishes is available.
We would also like to identify volunteers who can assist with advance set-up the weekend before: Saturday, June 27th (which is a regularly scheduled Karma Yoga Day), as well as for event clean-up. Vedanta Action & Service Team will oversee volunteers and participate in work.
Travel Advisory: please plan for traffic. Many people will be in town for the World Cup match the next day.
Since space is limited to 125 participants, advanced registration is required.
Sri Prakash Gupta, Consul General of India, Seattle
Learn about Prakash Gupta’s distinguished career here.
Swami Ishatmananda
Swami Aparananda
Swami Ishatmananda is the Minister of Vivekananda Vedanta Society of Chicago. Learn more about his life and view his online talks.
Swami Aparananda was initiated (diksha) by Swami Shankaranandaji Maharaj in 1957 and received his Sannyasa vows from Swami Vireshwaranandaji Maharaj in 1966. He was sent to the United States in 1978 to serve as Assistant Swami at the Vedanta Society of Southern California, Hollywood. Before coming to the United States, he served at several Centers of the Ramakrishna Order in India, including the Advaita Ashrama, Cherrapunji, New Delhi, and Ramakrishna Mission Mauritius. He was appointed the Swami-in-Charge of the Vedanta Society Berkeley from May 1985 to September 2014. He is presently living in the Bay Area and conducts regular online and in person classes for devotees. Swami Aparananda is known for his modest humility, loving, cordial, and affable nature.
Itinerary
Opening Song – Archana Bennur, South Indian classical vocalist
Welcome & Year-in-Review – Christine Rutherford, Board Member
Opening Prayer & Introduction – Swami Satyamayananda
Special Address – Sri Prakash Gupta, Consul General of India, Seattle
Brief Remarks & Introductions – Swami Satyamayananda
Keynote Address, “Holy Mother: The Embodiment of Vedanta” – Guest Swami Ishatmananda, Vivekananda Vedanta Society of Chicago
Musical Interlude – songs by Sreejani and Srijasmi Batabyal
“Thoughts on Holy Mother” – Srimat Swami Aparananda, Senior Monk of the Ramakrishna Order
Upcoming Events – Christine Rutherford
VAST (Vedanta Action & Service Team) Update – Lucy ‘ Lakshmi’ Rollins, Board Member
Closing Song – Oliver Dumrique, VAST Member
Vote of Thanks and Closing Prayer – Swami Brahmatmananda
Potluck