- LIVE ONLINE PROGRAM
August 12 – October 28, 2026
Vedanta and the Uddhava Gita
Krishna’s Final Teachings on the Self with Rukmini Chaitanya
WEDNESDAYS, 3:00 – 4:30pm ET
This course is approved by Yoga Alliance for 12 Continuing Education Hours
Join us on an illuminating journey...
The Uddhava Gita is one of the most profound and intimate dialogues in all of Vedantic literature. Spoken by Krishna at the threshold of his departure from the world, it distils his ultimate message to his beloved devotee Uddhava—offering guidance not just for one disciple, but for all seekers who yearn to rise beyond illusion and live in the light of the Self.
Where the Bhagavad Gita was given in the heat of battle, the Uddhava Gita is spoken in the stillness of sacred withdrawal. In this contemplative atmosphere, Krishna reveals his clearest teachings on Self-knowledge, renunciation, and devotion, leading the earnest seeker step by step toward liberation.
This 12-week journey will immerse you in these timeless teachings, while helping you anchor them in your own spiritual practice.
What We Will Explore...
The Disciple’s Longing
- Uddhava’s grief and devotion as Krishna prepares to leave the world.
- The Lord’s compassionate reply: turn inward, beyond illusion, and find Me there.
The Illusion of the World
- How the gunas bind us to samsara.
- Seeing through maya with the light of Vedantic enquiry.
- Krishna’s vivid parables on attachment and release.
The Power of Bhakti
- Why love of God is greater than austerity or knowledge alone.
- The qualities of the devotee who reaches liberation.
- Bhakti as the bridge between human longing and divine fulfillment.
Renunciation as Inner Freedom
- What it means to live unattached in the midst of life.
- The spirit of the jivanmukta: free while embodied.
- Practical steps for integrating renunciation into daily life.
Learning from the World Itself
- The Avadhuta Gita: wisdom drawn from nature’s 24 teachers.
- Insights on patience, humility, and oneness.
- Turning every experience into a lesson on the Self.
Living as a Paramahamsa
- Krishna’s vision of the sage who has transcended duality.
- The beauty of simplicity, contentment, and equanimity.
- The path of the liberated while living among all beings.
The Supreme Surrender
- Krishna’s concluding words: hand over all to the Divine.
- Balancing human effort and divine grace.
- The heart of Vedanta: resting in the Self as all.
Benefits of the course:
- Clear and guided study of Krishna’s final teachings.
- Practical application of Vedantic truths to modern spiritual life.
- Step-by-step exploration suitable for both new and seasoned seekers.
- Direct guidance and Q&A with Rukmini Chaitanya.
- A warm community of aspirants to walk the journey with you.
“With a view to purifying Myself by the dust of his feet, I always follow the sage who cares for nothing, bears enmity to none and is even-minded.”
– Uddhava Gita, Chapter IX, verse 16
What people are saying about Rukmini Chaitanya...
This course is perfect for...
- Seekers longing to go deeper into devotion and Vedanta.
- Students of the Bhagavad Gita ready to explore Krishna’s final words.
- Yogis and meditators wishing to strengthen their practice with scriptural wisdom.
- Anyone striving for detachment, clarity, and divine love.
Additional Information:
Offered as 12 weekly sessions on Wednesdays, August 12, 19, 26, September 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, October 7, 14, 21, and 28, 2026 from 3:00 – 4:30 pm ET.
This program is offered live through Zoom webinar with the availability for students to interact through Q&A with the presenter.
For enrolled students, a video recording will be available after each class in the event you miss a class or would like to review the content.
It is possible to register and take the course at any time. You can catch up on any classes you miss with the recordings.
Discover Devotion & Self-Knowledge
You are warmly invited to join Rukmini Chaitanya’s ongoing Devotion & Self-Knowledge subscription.
Through this membership program, you’ll receive full access to her live classes each week; exploring yoga, Vedanta, meditation, and the art of spiritual living in a consistent and supportive way.
Rather than a one-time course, this is an opportunity to stay connected to the teachings, deepen your understanding over time, and be part of a living spiritual community.
Rukmini Chaitanya
Rukmini Chaitanya is a senior staff member of the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat Bahamas, and the personal assistant to Swami Swaroopananda, the Acharya, or spiritual director of the Ashram. She regularly teaches the Bhagavad Gita during the Sivananda Yoga Teacher training as well as other courses on the Bhagavad Gita, Vedanta, positive thinking, meditation, and yoga philosophy.
Rukmini Chaitanya is known for her enthusiastic and inspiring teaching style as well as for her devotion to the lineage and the scriptures. She is dedicated to each of her students and has an innate desire to share knowledge with them. She brings a great deal of clarity to every topic and is highly appreciated for her capacity to unfold complicated topics and present them in a coherent and pure way.