Transform your life with the ancient wisdom of Sanātana Dharma.

Banashakri Devi Temple of Virginia & Vedic Teaching Center


Our Story

Our sprititual hermitage and Temple is a refuge in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Our purpose is to provide a spiritual space where individuals and families can deepen their understanding of Hindu philosophy, practices, and values.

  • Video Library

    Available to sangha members, our video library is at your fingertips, filled with pravachanam talks, and guided practices that cater to every level of practitioner.

  • Live and Pre-recored Classes

    Our courses are designed to deepen your understanding and enhance your practice of the Vedic sciences.

  • Temple

    We offer regular pujas in an interim space and are raising funds to construct a traditional Temple for the Goddess in Virginia

BECOME A STUDENT

The Sangha Membership is the beginning path to becoming a student and offers a unique opportunity to deepen your understanding and practice of the mystical Vedic sciences.

As a sangha member, you gain exclusive access to a treasure trove of spiritual resources, including our specially curated blog filled with articles, teachings, and reflections from Swamiji. Your membership also opens the door to our expansive resource library, laden with videos and guided practices.

Online Sangha Membership

BOOKSTORE

Soma Matha Books & Pubications

Our Mission is to preserve and spread authentic knowledge of the ancient Vedic sciences and to promote the values of the Sanatana Dharma. These mystical subjects are not well understood today, especially in the West. To help dispel common misconceptions and to increase awareness, Soma Matha Publishing publishes the teachings of Gananathamritananda Swamiji.

Tulasi (Holy Basil):  its Healing Power and its Worship Tulasi (Holy Basil):  its Healing Power and its Worship
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Tulasi (Holy Basil): its Healing Power and its Worship
$22.91

Tulasi (Holy Basil) is among a very few plants on Earth which is regarded as inherently sacred. It is viewed as an embodiment of the Lakshmi, the  consort of Lord Vishnu and the Goddess of fortune. This sacred plant is revered in India and kept in many Indian homes. It is estimated that 72% of Hindus keep Tulsi in the home to avert negative energies and to promote health, wealth, and fortune. Tulsi has incredible healing properties and can be used in the treatment of a full range of health conditions. This book described the healing properties and uses of Tulasi and illuminates the sacred nature of this Plant Goddess. Instructions for growing and worshiping Tulasi are provided as well.

This book is also available on Amazon in various other countries. Please check Amazon for your locality to purchase outside the US.

We are currently sold out at the temple, please tap the link to purchase on amazon and receive your copy Tulasi. Buy Here

Jyotiṣa Upāya: Remedies in Vedic Astrology Jyotiṣa Upāya: Remedies in Vedic Astrology
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Jyotiṣa Upāya: Remedies in Vedic Astrology
$27.41

The subject of remedies is not often addressed in books on Vedic Astrology. But remedies are the culmination of the study of astrology. Sage Parashara's classic text builds to the final teachings on remedies. Without remedies, there is little use in looking at a birth chart to determine the likelihood of future events. To do so would be like a physician diagnosing a disease without prescribing any medicine or treatment. 

This detailed text tells of Swamiji's experiences with the gurus who taught him about the practices. It introduces all the basic concepts of astrology, which are not always well understood today, to lay the groundwork for discerning which remedies will be needed most. The text also explains how remedies work and provides details for how to effectively implement various astrological remedies to improve health, wealth, relationships, success, and for the fulfillment of one's dharma, and for spiritual realization. There is possibly no other book on the subject in print which is so comprehensive.     

807 pp.

We are currently only selling this book at the temple through PayPal, please to the link to purchase your copy of Jyotiṣa Upāya with us, Buy Here.

Vedāharaṇam English:  A Selection of Vedic Hymns for Chanting ​With Transliteration and Veda Svaras Vedāharaṇam English:  A Selection of Vedic Hymns for Chanting ​With Transliteration and Veda Svaras
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Vedāharaṇam English: A Selection of Vedic Hymns for Chanting ​With Transliteration and Veda Svaras
$36.14

Please note that this text does not include a full translation or explanation of the mantras. It includes a transliteration and the mantras along with Veda Svaras for learning recitation. 

​The practice of Vedic Chanting has been passed down through the centuries directly from guru to disciple. The Vedic hymns are the oldest sacred chants from a living spiritual tradition. The ancient hymns were not composed by the Saints but revealed by the Sages. They hold untold power to improve conditions in the world when they are recited in the proper ways with attention and devotion. The recitation of Vedas helps to reduce troubles like natural disasters, disease, pandemics, droughts, famines, poverty, quarrels, and wars. The hymns increase peace, prosperity, health, wealth, and general success and good conditions. The sacred hymns purify the mind of those who recite (or hear) the mantras, which in turn purifies the atmosphere. This helps to ensure rain falls in the right amount to sustain life on Earth. These sacred mantras have been kept secret for millennia by the gurus who have passed down the sacred technology of Veda chanting. The Vedic hymns require a great deal of knowledge and practice for their proper recitation. Complex systems have been put in place to ensure that the sacred hymns have been preserved precisely through the centuries. These mantras require great precision of chanting to bestow the best results. Changing one syllable or pitch can result in changing the meaning and effects of the mantra. So it is best to learn this sacred chanting directly from a teacher who can correct the mistakes of the student and empower the practice.

Since the advent of the printing press, the Vedas have been translated to various languages and many printed version have been published. These texts are more scholarly and have not been produced for those who want to gain a direct experience of the mystical knowledge of Vedas by practicing. It is still quite rare to find many of the important mantras in this text printed along with proper Veda swaras to help ensure the right pronunciation. It is even more difficult to find the powerful mantras in English transliteration for those who do not read Sanskrit. This book has been produced for the benefit of those who teach the Vedas and for the sincere students wanting to embark on the practice of Veda chanting. The text includes many of the most important Vedic hymns and mantras used in worship by priests today. The most popular mantras use for invoking and worshiping a full range of Devas is included along with the most important mantras used in various rituals. Many of these mantras are not easily available from other printed sources. The text includes an introduction to Vedic chanting with a few tips for proper pronunciation. Each mantra is prefaced by a brief description of its meaning and the purposes it is traditionally used for. This text does not include a full translation of the hymns, because it is intended for use in practice. The higher meaning of the sacred verses is revealed for those who repeat and meditate on the sacred sounds of the mantras.

The Vedas have been revealed for the benefit of all the world. Men, women, children from all backgrounds, faiths, and nations should be encouraged to learn Vedas for the benefit of the world. The more people who recite these sacred hymns which have been revealed for the benefit of all humanity, the better. The only qualification which is needed is faith in the Vedic Sages, an understanding of karma and dharma, and a willingness to humble oneself as the shakti of the Vedic mantras transforms their consciousness. This practice cannot be done for selfish benefits, but for the benefit of all living beings. Conditions improve as the sacred sounds uplift a person's consciousness.

459 page Hardcover Book

We are currently sold out at the temple, please tap the click to purchase you copy of Vedāharaṇam English on Amazon. Buy Here

Donations

Danam (Donation)

The practice of danam (Donation) helps people develop shradhaa (faith), bhakti (Love and devotion), and steadiness in their practice. 

Danam helps people to be open to grace by connecting them energetically (through their gift) to the Guru.  It is generally not possible to receive without giving something in return.  The blessings conferred by a Guru are no exception to this rule of karma.  In life it is true that those who give most generously also receive the most.  Devotees understand that it is their responsibility to contribute generously to help their Guru achieve his mission.  ​

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Swamiji

"God cannot be seen with the five senses and cannot be understood with the instrument of the mind. To come to know God we must first come to know ourselves as something different from the body and mind which limit perception."