Gloria Arieira is a renowned Brazilian scholar, teacher, and translator of Vedānta and Sanskrit, celebrated for her deep understanding of traditional Indian philosophy and her pioneering work in spreading Advaita Vedānta teachings in the Portuguese-speaking world.

She is the founder and director of Vidya Mandir, a centre for the study of Vedānta and Sanskrit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, established in the 1970s. Having studied under the revered Swami Dayananda Saraswati, one of the most respected modern teachers of Advaita Vedānta, Gloria Arieira has dedicated her life to preserving and transmitting this knowledge with authenticity and clarity.

Through her lectures, writings, and translations, she has made the teachings of Adi Shankaracharya, the Upanishads, and the Bhagavad Gītā accessible to students in Brazil and worldwide. Her approach emphasizes a faithful transmission of the śruti (sacred texts), maintaining the traditional guru-śiṣya paramparā (teacher-student lineage).

She has translated several classical Vedāntic works into Portuguese, including the Bhagavad Gītā with commentary, and offers regular courses on Sanskrit grammar and Indian scriptures.

In recognition of her work, the Government of India awarded her the Padma Shri in 2020 for her contribution to literature and education (Vedānta and Sanskrit) — making her one of the few Westerners to receive this honor for promoting Indian spiritual knowledge.

Key Highlights:
Founder of Vidya Mandir, Rio de Janeiro.
Disciple of Swami Dayananda Saraswati.
Translator and teacher of Advaita Vedānta and Sanskrit.
Recipient of the Padma Shri (2020).

Pioneer in bringing Indian spiritual wisdom to Portuguese-speaking audiences.