New Delhi: Acharya Prashant, originally Prashant Tripathi, is an Indian spiritual teacher, author, and animal rights activist and now also an Influencer. Known for teaching various forms of the Gita and Upanishads, he founded the Prashant Advait Foundation, a non-profit promoting conscious and mindful living. Born in 1978 in Agra, Acharya Prashant was a brilliant student, consistently excelling in academics. He was recognized for his exceptional performance in school exams and was an NTSE scholar. He pursued textile engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi and later completed his management studies at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad. He briefly worked in the Indian Civil Services before dedicating himself to spiritual teaching.
At 28, Acharya Prashant left the corporate world to focus on spirituality. He founded Advait Life-Education, which aims to promote a new way of living through spiritual wisdom. He has authored over 25 books, sharing insights from Vedanta and Advaita philosophy. His teachings emphasize practical spirituality, making ancient wis dom accessible to the modern audience. Acharya Prashant’s influence has earned him several accolades. In 2022, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) named him the “Most Influential Vegan” for his advocacy of animal rights and veganism. He was also awarded the IIT Delhi Alumni Award in 2022, recognizing his achievements as an alumnus. With over 50 million subscribers as of 2024, Acharya Prashant is the most followed spiritual teacher on YouTube.
He leads a Bhagavad Gita Teaching Program with thousands of participants and recently organized the world’s largest online Gita-based spiritual exam. Acharya Prashant’s books, such as Karma: Why Everything You Know About It Is Wrong and Sambandh, have been well-received but also critiqued for their complexity. Karma was praised for making the teachings of the Upanishads relatable but was noted as challenging for those new to Advaita Vedanta. The book topped bestseller lists, reflecting its popularity. Sambandh, focusing on relationships, was appreciated for its simple language but criticized for its fast pace and deep thoughts.
Acharya Prashant continues to inspire millions through his teachings, books, and online presence. He challenges people to think deeply, question their beliefs, and live with awareness and compassion. His journey from a top student and corporate professional to a leading spiritual teacher highlights his dedication to making ancient spiritual teachings relevant today. Acharya Prashant remains a significant figure in the spiritual community, promoting a life of mindfulness, compassion, and intelligent spirituality.
