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Dr Andrisha Beharry-Ramraj from the School of Commerce in association with the Bhakti Yoga Society (BYS) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), hosted ‘Investing in Invisible Wealth’, bringing together students, staff and other members of the University community for an afternoon of discussion and reflection.
The event took place recently at UKZN’s Graduate School of Business and Leadership (GSB&L) on the Westville campus. International speaker His Holiness S B Keshava Swami discussed wisdom, compassion, peace, integrity, purpose and meaningful relationships as qualities whose value cannot always be seen or measured.
Keshava Swami is a spiritual teacher, author and educator who entered monastic life at 21 after graduating from University College London. He has studied ancient Sanskrit wisdom texts for more than 25 years, written more than 10 books and developed more than 50 educational courses. His work explores purpose, relationships, personal challenges, and wellbeing.
In 2025-26, he completed a full-time monastic fellowship at Harvard Divinity School, focusing on Vedic theology. He also speaks internationally at universities, companies, government institutions and spiritual communities.
The visit provided students with an opportunity to explore the connections between education, spirituality and personal development. The programme encouraged students to reflect on how qualities such as compassion, integrity and a sense of purpose can shape their relationships, careers and contributions to society.
Keshava Swami emphasised the importance of developing the individual beyond academic achievement. “True education is not only about gaining knowledge but, about developing the qualities that enable us to become better individuals and contribute meaningfully to society,” he noted.
Adding to the uniqueness of the programme, Keshava Swami’s teachings were brought to life through creative performances by Bhakti Theatre. The theatrical skits complemented his thoughts and created an engaging way for students and guests to reflect on the ideas being presented. This combination of speaking, storytelling and theatre made the programme accessible, lively and relevant to a diverse university audience.
BYS serves students on UKZN’s Howard College and Westville campuses. The society provides opportunities to explore spiritual knowledge, values and personal development through discussion and other activities.
‘Investing in Invisible Wealth’ encouraged students to consider how they develop their character and sense of purpose alongside their academic qualifications. The programme encouraged students to reflect on how knowledge, character and personal values can inform their decisions, relationships and future responsibilities.
Words: Andrisha Beharry-Ramraj
Photographs: Shravan Bhana