Silicon Valley is home to one of the largest and most educated Indian-American communities in the world. It is also home to a growing population of people from every background seeking meaning, depth, and connection beyond the relentless pace of tech culture. The Bhagavad Gita speaks to both groups — and ISKCON Silicon Valley has been serving this community for decades.

Why the Bhagavad Gita Resonates in Silicon Valley

Several prominent figures in tech have cited the Bhagavad Gita as a formative influence. Steve Jobs famously carried a copy of Autobiography of a Yogi (by Paramahansa Yogananda), which is steeped in Vedanta and Gita philosophy. The Gita’s teachings on focused action without attachment to results — essentially what psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi described as “flow” — are a natural fit for high performers navigating high-stakes environments.

For the Indian diaspora in particular, the Gita is often a connection to cultural identity, family heritage, and a philosophical framework that secular education does not provide. Many Indian-American parents who grew up with the Gita in India are now looking for ways to share it with children born and raised in the Bay Area.

Where to Study the Bhagavad Gita in Silicon Valley

ISKCON Silicon Valley operates three physical locations serving the Bay Area:

Mountain View (Main Campus)

The Mountain View temple at 1965 Latham St is the hub of ISKCON Silicon Valley’s educational programs. It is easily accessible from San Jose, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Fremont, and the broader South Bay. Weekly programs include:

• Saturday School for children (ages 0–14)
• Shloka Junior (in-person, ages 4–7)
• Adult Bhagavad Gita study groups
• Daily puja and kirtan programs

Dublin

Serving the Tri-Valley area (Dublin, Pleasanton, San Ramon, Livermore), the Dublin center has grown rapidly to meet the needs of the East Bay’s large Indian-American and yoga communities. Regular satsangs, Gita classes, and kirtan evenings are offered here.

Fremont

Fremont’s ISKCON Silicon Valley programs are particularly active in shloka education for children, with dedicated classes for the Fremont community.

Online (Anywhere in the US)

Several programs are offered fully online, making them accessible to Bay Area residents who cannot attend in person — and to anyone across the US:

• Bhagavad Gita for Kids (online, all ages)
• Sanskrit Classes for Beginners
• Shloka Senior
• Bhakti Sastri (systematic Vaishnava scripture study)
• Bhakti Vaibhava (advanced Srimad Bhagavatam study)

For a full comparison of all Bay Area options, see our Bay Area Bhagavad Gita classes guide.

What Makes ISKCON’s Approach Distinct

ISKCON uses Srila Prabhupada’s Bhagavad Gita As It Is — the most widely distributed edition in the world, with over 500 million copies in print in 90+ languages. This edition maintains the Vaishnava understanding that Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead rather than an allegory or an avatar of an impersonal Absolute. The commentary is direct, practical, and deeply devotional. Whether or not you ultimately agree with this interpretation, the clarity of the teaching is unmatched — students always know exactly what the text is saying and what it is asking of them.

Beyond the textual study, ISKCON Silicon Valley’s programs are embedded in a living community. Classes are taught by practicing devotees. Students experience kirtan, prasadam (sanctified food), temple ceremonies, and festivals alongside their study — making the philosophy tangible rather than purely academic.

Getting Started

All classes are listed on our website with age group, format, location, and schedule. Most are free. If you are based in Silicon Valley and have been looking for a Bhagavad Gita class, a Sanskrit class, or a community rooted in Vedic wisdom — we would be glad to welcome you. Start with our guide on what to expect in your first Bhagavad Gita class.

Gaurav Verma

Kirtan Volunteer · ISKCON Silicon Valley

Gaurav has been leading bhajans and kirtans in Bay Area homes for more than 10 years. He teaches harmonium for kirtan on YouTube, shares bhajan albums on SoundCloud, and coordinates the Vrindavan Mellows home kirtan service across the San Francisco Bay Area.