Founder of a gurukul, Acharya Somdev has dedicated his life to spirituality and Vedic education, promoting mental strength, discipline, and moral values. Through rigorous training, he preserves gurukul traditions, empowering students with independence, confidence, and holistic development nationwide.

Acharya Somdev Arya is the Founder of Swami Atmananda Vaidik Gurukul, Malarna Chaud, in Sawai Madhopur in Rajasthan.

Acharya Somdev relinquished his home in 1989, leaving behind his advanced schooling and college education, and entered a gurukul. In the gurukul, he learned Sanskrit.

In Sanskrit, there is the Ashtadhyayi text on grammar, which contains 4,000 sutras that must be memorized. After almost four years, his grammar learning was completed. Following this, he studied the five philosophies in Darshan Shastra: one in Ajmer, Rajasthan; one in Mysore, Karnataka, Mimansa Darshan; and Nyaya Darshan in Rojhad, Gujarat.

At present, he runs the gurukul and travels all over India promoting Vedic religion and principles. He has visited almost all states of India and is continuing this work relentlessly.

Acharya Somdev recalls, when he was at home in his village, there was a person named Surendra Arya. He used to call various scholars and arrange religious talks. At that time, Somdev was only 19–20 years old.

Once, one of the Acharyas delivered a sermon, and the main point of his sermon touched young Somdev deeply. The Acharya said that in this birth or after thousands of births, spirituality must be accepted. Without entering the field of spirituality, there is no progress of the soul. These words touched him deeply, and he thought that if it can be done now, why wait for thousands of births?

From that day, a spiritual inclination took seed within him. He decided to enter the field of spirituality. However, he did not feel comfortable at home; the gurukul became his place of happiness. He soon started loving spirituality and lost interest in any worldly work. He entered a gurukul in 1989, not for the motive of learning only, but with the goal of learning spiritual practice and understanding how to achieve liberation of the soul.

He realized that without learning scriptures, he would not understand spiritual practice. Therefore, he studied the scriptures further and started practicing meditation and worship. He was made to do ‘tapasya’ to the extent that for almost nine years, he did not wear footwear, despite cold or heat. He never wore stitched clothes; he only wore bedsheet-type clothes to cover his upper and lower body, using only two clothes.

He underwent special ‘tapasya’ and ‘sadhana’. He was made to wake up at 3:45 a.m., and their schedule continued rigorously until 9 p.m. Along with sadhana, he also studied.

The main reason for his entry into this field was that he believed spirituality must be pursued either in this birth or the next. Therefore, he left home completely and focused on the work of the gurukul and social welfare.

He believes that Indian culture has survived due to the gurukul system. Even Lord Ram and Lord Krishna studied in gurukuls, not schools and colleges, he points out.

Until the British came to India, there were 7.5 lakh gurukuls in India.

He shares that when Lord Macaulay came to India, he found that the main reason for India’s excellent growth was the gurukul system. Macaulay told the British Parliament that if Indians were to be enslaved mentally for generations, India’s education system must be changed. As a result, gurukuls were closed, and schools were established, replacing the gurukul tradition.

Acharya Somdev explains that Gurukuls are considered centers of personality development. Today, school students study for 5–6 hours, whereas in gurukuls, students are observed by teachers 24/7.

Even today, students in gurukuls do not have mobile phones, unlike regular school students. Their routine is set strictly, waking up at 4:30 a.m., performing Yagya, Havan, and worship. The main focus is on teaching self-confidence and removing negativity.

He laments that in Kota, Rajasthan, considered a hub of coaching centers, there is the highest rate of student suicides due to stress, depression, and lack of mental courage. In contrast, in gurukuls, no student suffers from depression, and all students feel abundant joy.

Students learn various skills, from cleaning toilets and mopping the floors, to studying and using smart boards in classes. Gurukul students develop independence and can handle any challenge. Gurukul students have never committed suicide, unlike students in schools and colleges.

They are taught the Vedic mantra:

असुर्या नाम ते लोका अन्धेन तमसाSSवृता:। तांस्ते प्रेत्याभिगच्छन्ति ये के चात्महनो जना:।।

(ईशावास्योपनिषद्)

आत्महत्या करनेवाले लोग अज्ञान और भयंकर क्लेश से युक्त असुरों के नरक को प्राप्त होते हैं। ( अर्थात् वह दूसरे जन्म में असुर ; आज के रूप में देखे तो आतंकवादी या देशद्रोही रूप में जन्म लेते हैं।)

This means that those who commit suicide go into deep darkness, and unresolved problems persist into the next birth. Suicide is never a solution, and these teachings guide students to overcome challenges spiritually.

Talking about his role models, he shares that Maharishi Swami Dayanand, Founder of the Arya Samaj, inspires him. Maharishi Dayanand lived an extraordinary life and worked tirelessly for the welfare of the society and the nation. Many historical figures, including Bhagat Singh’s grandfather Arjun Singh, took initiation from him. Pandit Ram Prasad Bismil, who faced execution by the British, was also inspired by him. Maharaja Sajjan Singh of Udaipur also studied under him.

He shares that though all the shlokas are deeply meaningful, he finds one shloka very special:

निन्दन्तु नीतिनिपुणा यदि वा स्तुवन्तु लक्ष्मी: समाविशतु गच्छतु वा यथेष्टम्। अद्यैव वा मरणमस्तु युगान्तरे वा न्याय्यात्पथ: प्रविचलन्ति पथं न धीरा:

It teaches that morally upright people should never deviate from honesty, regardless of criticism or praise. One must accept both challenges and appreciation and continue on the path of righteousness.

His personal achievements are significant, considering his humble farming background. His father was a regular farmer. Had he stayed in his village, he would have lived a simple life, married, and raised a small family. Today, thousands of people look up to him with spiritual respect, gather to hear his religious teachings, and find inspiration in his work. He considers this his greatest achievement.

An astrologer once told him, by examining his hand, that he would marry twice, would not be wealthy, and his hand lacked wealth lines. Despite this, he believes that spiritual practice brings everything one needs. By dedicating oneself to spirituality and serving society, one gains mental satisfaction and fulfillment, which he considers his greatest achievement.

He believes that growth begins with understanding the foundations of life, represented by Ga: Garbha (womb), Godh (nurturing), Grah (environment), Guru, and Gurukul. Proper prenatal care, nurturing, environment, guidance, and education ensure holistic development. Today, children are deprived of these essentials, as they are often left with nannies or get inadequate care.

Acharya Somdev Arya underlines that Gurukuls teach patriotism, moral values, and respect for parents. Students here learn spirituality, independence, and responsibility. Parents seeking true development for their children should advocate the revival and establishment of gurukuls.

Founder of Swami Atmananda Vaidik Gurukul, Malarna Chaud, Acharya Somdev Arya believes gurukuls are the foundation for character, mental strength, spirituality, and overall personality development. Unlike modern schools, gurukuls cultivate talent, independence, and resilience. They prepare students to face life’s challenges with confidence, wisdom, and virtue, ensuring the growth of both the child and the nation.