Published July 8, 2025 | Version v1
Publication Open

Dron-Acharya: Reimagining the Guru-Shishya Tradition in a Virtual Era

Authors/Creators

Description

In an era of digital acceleration and increasing disconnection from traditional spiritual practices, there is a growing demand for culturally rooted and accessible spiritual guidance. This research introduces Dron-Acharya—a virtual darshan and consultation platform that reimagines the Indian guru-shishya tradition for a tech-savvy, global audience. Unlike mainstream mindfulness apps like Calm or Headspace, Dron-Acharya emphasizes personalized, Vedic-based spiritual experiences.

The study aims to design a platform that combines ancient spiritual wisdom with modern usability, addressing key user needs such as authenticity, personalization, intuitive design, and access to knowledgeable gurus. Using a mixed-method approach—surveys, interviews, competitor analysis, and persona development—the project identifies target users including urban professionals, Gen Z seekers, Indian diaspora, and elderly individuals seeking digital alternatives to physical ashrams.

The persona of Mayank Sharma, a 35-year-old professional, informed the design process, which followed the Double Diamond framework (Discover, Define, Develop, Deliver). Core features include AI-powered consultations, virtual blessings, interactive guru profiles, and a culturally immersive interface. Usability testing guided refinements such as multilingual support and audio-based navigation to ensure greater inclusivity.

While outcomes suggest strong potential for digital platforms to enrich spiritual engagement, this research primarily explores how tradition and technology can meaningfully intersect.

This study will benefit designers, spiritual organizations, and digital product developers by offering a framework to create authentic, accessible spiritual tech—serving users seeking depth, connection, and continuity in their spiritual journeys.

Files

Dron-Acharya Reimagining the Guru-Shishya Tradition in a Virtual Era.pdf

Files (1.4 MB)

Additional details

Dates

Submitted
2025-07-08
In an increasingly digitized world, where technology permeates nearly every aspect of human life, the pursuit of inner peace, emotional resilience, and spiritual grounding has never been more essential. While advancements in digital health and wellness have spawned a new generation of mindfulness and mental wellness apps, these platforms often overlook a vital component of human well-being: spiritual nourishment rooted in cultural heritage (Obuba, 2023; Hussain & Wang, 2024). For many, especially within the Indian diaspora and urban populations, traditional access to spiritual mentorship—such as visiting ashrams, consulting gurus, or engaging in ritualistic practices—has become limited due to time, distance, and modern lifestyles.

References

  • • Darji, H. (2025). AI-Powered Digital Platform for Religious Literature. Available at SSRN 5166370.
  • • Hussain, T., & Wang, D. (2024). Social media and the spiritual journey: The place of digital technology in enriching the experience. Religions, 15(5), 616.
  • • Obuba, M. (2023). SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP-Serving God in the Digital Age: Harnessing Technology for Christian Spiritual Growth. Available at SSRN 4574819.
  • • Gupta, S. S., Mehta, S., Nanda, K., Fernandes, C., & Maitreya, M. (2022). Impact of a digital spiritual process on mental well-being. Research Paper the International Journal of Indian Psychology, 10(3), 1259-1269.
  • • Smink, S. (2022). User engagement in the context of digital spiritual care platforms (Bachelor's thesis, University of Twente).