From Rio to Rishikesh: The Inspiring Journey of Jonas Masetti — The Brazilian Teacher of Vedanta and Yoga

ByDelhi Magazine Team

Oct 21, 2025

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21 October, Rio De Janeiro/New Delhi — The journey of Jonas Masetti, the Brazilian native and spiritual teacher known as Acharya Vishvanath (or Acharya Vishvananda Sarasvati), is a modern testament to the universal appeal of ancient Indian wisdom. Masetti recently became a global sensation after being conferred the prestigious Padma Shri by the Government of India in 2025 for his exceptional contributions to Literature and Education—specifically for proliferating the knowledge of Vedanta and the Bhagavad Gita in Brazil and across Latin America.

The former mechanical engineer, who once navigated the high-stakes world of strategic consulting and the stock market, traded his successful professional career for a life dedicated to the Sanatana Dharma. This recognition elevates Masetti from a regional spiritual leader to an internationally acclaimed ambassador of Vedic culture.

From Corporate Success to Spiritual Seeking

Born in Rio de Janeiro into a modest, multicultural family of Italian-Brazilian descent, Masetti’s early life was marked by discipline, ethics, and a quiet yearning for deeper answers. His childhood was filled with persistent questions: “What is the purpose of life?” and “Is success only about money?”

Academically gifted, he followed a trajectory of conventional success. He graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Military Institute of Engineering (IME) and served a disciplined five-year stint in the Brazilian Army. He then quickly ascended the corporate ladder, working as a strategic consultant and stock market advisor, achieving significant material success and professional recognition.

One such contemporary story, recently chronicled in the media, is that of Ben Baba, a former Swiss web designer who traded a comfortable life and car for a profound spiritual quest. Ben walked barefoot across 18 countries over four years to reach India, settling eventually in Himachal Pradesh to live as a simple ascetic (sanyasi), surviving only on alms and having no mobile phone or modern possessions.

Yet, in his mid-twenties, despite all his achievements, Masetti felt a profound sense of emptiness. This inner crisis pushed him to search for meaning, leading him to Yoga and eventually the comprehensive philosophy of Vedanta. His first exposure came through an Indian teacher in Brazil, Santosh Vallury, and later, he studied under Gloria Arieira, a senior Brazilian disciple of Swami Dayananda Saraswati. What attracted him most was the practical nature of Vedanta—its approach as a way of seeing reality, not just a belief system.

The Transformative Journey to India: The Gurukulam Life

Masetti’s quest intensified, leading him to a transformative meeting in the United States in 2006 with the renowned master, Swami Dayananda Saraswati, founder of Arsha Vidya Gurukulam. Deeply moved by the Swami’s clarity and compassion, Jonas decided to dedicate his life to the path. Soon after, he moved to India and enrolled in a rigorous three-year residential course at the Arsha Vidya Gurukulam in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.

Life in the Gurukulam was an immersive experience of simple living and intense discipline. His days began before sunrise with meditation, chanting, and exhaustive study of Sanskrit, the Upanishads, and the Bhagavad Gita. This cultural and personal shift was immense, demanding humility and surrender. At the completion of his studies, his depth of understanding was recognized, earning him the title of ‘Acharya’ and the spiritual name ‘Vishvananda Sarasvati’, symbolizing his connection to the lineage of knowledge.

Building a Spiritual Bridge: Vishva Vidya and Practical Vedanta

Acharya Masetti returned to the hills of Petrópolis near Rio de Janeiro with a clear mission: to make this timeless wisdom accessible to his people. In 2011, he founded the Instituto Vishva Vidya. He ingeniously blended traditional teachings with modern technology, using online platforms and retreats (Vedanta Camps) to bridge the gap between ancient philosophy and modern Brazilian life.

His teaching philosophy is simple yet profound: he believes spirituality is about self-knowledge ($\textit{Atma Vidya}$) and living intelligently (Karma Yoga), emphasizing that happiness is something we are, not something we get. Despite facing initial cultural misunderstandings and logistical hurdles in introducing complex Sanskrit concepts, Masetti’s sincerity and clarity, delivered in relatable Portuguese, resonated deeply. To date, his Free Open Course has introduced the philosophy of life embodied in the Bhagavad Gita and Vedanta to over 150,000 students globally.

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PM Modi’s Recognition and the Padma Shri

Jonas Masetti’s dedicated work did not go unnoticed by India’s leadership. Prime Minister Narendra Modi first recognized his efforts in the Mann Ki Baat radio address in 2020, referring to him as an “ambassador of Vedic culture.”

The recognition culminated in May 2025 with the conferral of the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award. Masetti accepted the honor in traditional Indian attire—walking barefoot, clad in a white dhoti and tilak , symbolizing his complete immersion into the culture he champions. This accolade solidifies his role as a pivotal figure bridging the cultural gap between Brazil and Bharat, making the wisdom of the Vedas a global phenomenon.