The Art of Living Foundation was officially
established in Bangalore, India, in 1982 as a non-
profit educational and humanitarian organiza-
tion. It now has more than 4,000 chapters around
the world. Although the foundation claims no
religious affiliation, it upholds basic spiritual
tenets through its offering of compassionate
service around the world, including charitable
and educational programs in 142 countries.
It is a consulting nongovernmental organiza-
tion (NGO) registered with the Economic and
Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations.
Services include the 5-H program, a holistic
endeavor that focuses on homes, health, hygiene,
harmony in diversity, and human values. All
programs follow the general philosophy of the
foundation, emphasizing the practical and intel-
lectual development of human values and the
potential of individuals to strengthen society.
The Art of Living Foundation has provided many
workshops over the years at United Nations
summits and conferences.
According to the foundation an estimated 2
million people around the world have benefited
from Sudharsha Kriya through Art of Living
courses. The foundation has also established the
Research and Health Promotion Center, which
provides scholarships for research into the health
benefits of Sudharsha Kriya. The foundation
publishes an online journal, Prana. A sister orga-
nization, the International Association for Human
Values, coordinates volunteer efforts for aid and
relief.
In 1995, the president of India recognized
Shankar’s spiritual accomplishments by giving
him the title of Yogi Shiromani (Supreme Flow-
ering of Enlightenment) during a major World
Conference of Yoga.
The center in Bangalore, India, administers
the various programs to spread the spiritual pre-
cepts of the movement, heighten knowledge of
Vedic texts, and engage in community service. In
En gland, the United States, and Canada, the work
is pursued under the name Art of Living; in Europe
it is called the Association for Inner Growth. In Jan-
uary 2005 the Art of Living Foundation donated
over $34 million for tsunami relief. The founda-
tion has also established orphanages for children
and homes for women in the affected areas of
India and Sri Lanka. Many of the services offered
by the foundation are provided almost entirely by
volunteers.Further reading: François Gautier, The Guru of Joy:
Shri Shri Ravi Shankar and the Art of Living (New Delhi:
Books Today/The India Today Group, 2002); Ravi Shan-
kar, Bang on the Door: A Collection of Talks (Santa Bar-
bara, Calif.: Art of Living Foundation, 1990); ———,
Celebrating Silence (Santa Barbara, Calif.: Art of Living
Foundation, 2001); Ravi Shankar and Judith S. Clark,
Waves of Beauty (Santa Barbara, Calif.: Art of Living
Foundation, 1998).Arunachala See RAMANA MAHARSHI.
Arundhati
Arundhati was the wife of the Rishi Vasishtha and
one of the nine daughters of Prajapati by his wife
Devahuti. Along with her husband, she is one of
the mythical seven rishis, for whom the seven stars
of the Great Bear or Pleiades are named. Vasishtha
is the middle of the three stars that form the tail.
Arundhati is the small faint star (Alcor) beside
it. Arundhati is considered the paragon of wifely
faithfulness. In the Hindu marriage rites, after the
main ceremony and after the marriage meal, the
priest takes the couple outside and points out the
star Arundhati to the bride.Further reading: Abbé J. A. Dubois, Hindu Manners,
Customs and Ceremonies. Translated from the French
by Henry K. Beauchamp (Oxford: Clarendon Press,
1959); Alfred Hillebrandt, Vedic Mythology, 2 vols.
(Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 1990); E. Washburn
Hopkins, Epic Mythology (Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass,
1986).K 46 Arunachala