GBC SPT

Akrūra’s Arrival in Vṛndāvana/ Akrūra’s Return Journey and His Vision of Viṣṇuloka Within the Yamunā River (SB 10.38-39) by Devamrita Swami  About Devamrita Swami  Devamrita Swami is an educator, author, and monk in the Krishna bhakti tradition.  For over forty years, he has been traveling the world sharing the teachings and lifestyle of bhakti-yoga. With a unique ability to analyze modern problems through the wisdom of the Bhagavad-gita and Shrimad-Bhagavatam (essential Vedic texts), he challenges audiences to understand that the quest for genuine personal and social upliftment is rooted in precise and comprehensive knowledge.  Adept at applying this spiritual science, he encourages others to enter the laboratory and perform the Krishna experiment, which enables us to fully realize our nonmaterial identity and ultimate connection. While meeting and relishing the diversity of global humanity, he has also established urban and rural sanctuaries for the spiritually inquisitive, especially in New Zealand, Australia, and the United States.

Killing the Keśī Demon and Vyomāsura (SB 10.37)- Sutapa Das  GBC SPT brings to you an exciting series on "Krishna Lila in Vrindavan" with an intention of celebrating Kartika and enriching our Krishna consciousness together.  Our Day 29 Srimad Bhagavatam class will be presented by Sutapa Das on the Chapter 37th of 10th canto of SB/Krishna book.  About Sutapa Das A visionary and natural born leader with razor-sharp intelligence and cast-iron principles. These are some of the qualities that mark out Sutapa as truly a ‘chip off the old block’ and the mastermind behind the School of Bhakti. Born in the suburbs of London, Sutapa was a talented cricket player growing up and was even picked for trials to play at County level. But destiny took him on a different course when at the age of sixteen, he was given a Bhagavad Gita by a Hare Krishna monk. The search for spiritual bliss took hold of him and never let go. After graduating from UCL in information management over 2 decades ago, he spent six months travelling in India and then swiftly joined the Bhaktivedanta Manor temple afterwards. Donning the saffron robes of a monk, he became one of the pioneers in modernising and raising the standards of the Bhaktivedanta Manor monastery and is now one of the strongest leaders in the UK Vaishnava |(followers of Krishna) community. His main motivation behind these achievements is to help people find Krishna, find themselves and find their purpose in spirituality. Over the last ten years, he has also established himself as a prolific author of contemporary Krishna conscious literature. Aside from being the head of School of Bhakti, Sutapa also teaches various courses in the School and is particularly fond of delving into the sacred scriptures. One of Sutapa’s great inspirations in life is the great Vaishnava Saint and poet, Sri Narottama Das Thakur who mentions in a famous poem, that “To serve in the association and live in the association of devotees – that is my only desire!” Many would appreciate this sentiment, but Sutapa has made it his reality.

Kaṁsa Sends Akrūra for Kṛṣṇa (SB 10.36)- Madhumati Devi Dasi  GBC SPT brings to you an exciting series on "Krishna Lila in Vrindavan" with an intention of celebrating Kartika and enriching our Krishna consciousness together.  Our Day 28 Srimad Bhagavatam class will be presented by Madhumati Devi Dasi on the Chapter 36th of 10th canto of SB/Krishna book.  About Madhumati Devi Dasi She joined in Ireland in 1981 while looking for the absolute truth. Since then by the mercy of the vaishnavas still around doing some seva or other. Living in Alachua for last 25 years.

The Gopīs’ Feelings of Separation (SB 10.35)- Amarendra Dasa  GBC SPT brings to you an exciting series on "Krishna Lila in Vrindavan" with an intention of celebrating Kartika and enriching our Krishna consciousness together.  Our Day 27 Srimad Bhagavatam class will be presented by Amarendra Dasa on the Chapter 35th of 10th canto of SB/Krishna book.  About Amarendra Dasa Amarendra Dasa academically holds a double Masters’ degree from the US, one in Electrical Engineering from the University of Massachusetts and the other in Business Administration from the state of Minnesota. He, at the age of 28, is a globe-trotting inspirational speaker, who has travelled over 100 cities in various continents, giving talks on big questions about life such as Science, religion, culture and meditation. His soul stirring and spiritually nourishing discourses on theology, philosophy and the ancient wisdom texts of the east are viral on social platforms such as Youtube and facebook. In his early days as a student he was trained up by HH Bhakti Swarup Damodar Maharaj who was a dear disciple of Srila Prabhupada and the global Director for the Bhakti Vedanta Institute. Pursuing his systematic spiritual study deeper with time, Amarendra completed his Bhakti Shastri study from mayapur at the age of 19 and since then has been invited and has participated in numerous inter-religious faith conferences and at scientific symposiums with talks at world class universities such as MIT and Harvard. Being a diksha disciple of His Holiness Rādhā Govinda Maharaj, Amarendra prabhu aspires to serve Srimad Bhagavatam far and wide to bring in pleasure and satisfaction to the hearts of the vaishnavas worldwide.

Vidyādhara Liberated and the Demon Śaṅkhacūḍa Killed (SB 10.34)- Govinda Priya Dasi  GBC SPT brings to you an exciting series on "Krishna Lila in Vrindavan" with an intention of celebrating Kartika and enriching our Krishna consciousness together.  Our Day 26 Srimad Bhagavatam class will be presented by Govinda Priya Devi Dasi on the Chapters 34th of 10th canto of SB/Krishna book.  About Govinda Priya Govinda Priya Devi Dasi, originally from Mumbai, is a disciple of Radhanath Swami. She previously served in New Vrindaban where she founded the Gopal’s Garden school and was a member of the congregational development team. She currently lives with her family in California where she organizes local festivals along with Vaishnavi study groups and retreats. She has been the Vaishnavi Ministry’s North American leader since 2018.

Kṛṣṇa Returns to the Gopīs/ Description of the Rāsa Dance (SB 10:32-33)- Hari Parshad Das  GBC SPT brings to you an exciting series on "Krishna Lila in Vrindavan" with an intention of celebrating Kartika and enriching our Krishna consciousness together.   Our Day 25 Srimad Bhagavatam class will be presented by Hari Parshad Das on the Chapters 32nd and 33rd of 10th canto of SB/Krishna book.  About Hari Parshad Das Hari Parshad Dasa is a disciple of Radha Govinda Das Goswami, and joined ISKCON in 2002. He was born in a Gauda-sarasvata brahmana family in Mumbai. His father and grandfather are both devotees of Sri Sri Rukmini Vitthala of Pandharpur. Hari Parshad Dasa learned Sanskrit in the traditional way in his childhood and was taught the Laghu-siddhanta-kaumudi of Pandita Varadaraja. Between 2002 to 2007 he served as a book distributor, and organised programs and seminars for ISKCON youth in Juhu.  He has also written Sanskrit verses in the Citra-kavya style. In 2007 Hari Parshad Dasa was appointed assistant editor of Gopal Jiu Publications. Hari Parshad Dasa is an accomplished Sanskrit scholar, having studied the Astadhyayi, the complete four thousand sutras by Panini and completing a translation with commentary of Bhakitvinode Thakura’s Manah-siksa in 2015. He currently compiles a fortnightly e-magazine called “Sri Krishna Kathamrita Bindu” where he regularly contributes fresh translations and articles. He holds a Master’s Degree in Information Technology, graduating with distinction from the Manipal University in 2012. He is married with a son. Hari Parshad Dasa has been a member of the Sastric Advisory Council since 2016.

Kṛṣṇa’s Hiding from the Gopīs/ Songs by the Gopīs (SB 10:30-31)- Hari Parshad Das  GBC SPT brings to you an exciting series on "Krishna Lila in Vrindavan" with an intention of celebrating Kartika and enriching our Krishna consciousness together.   Our Day 24 Srimad Bhagavatam class will be presented by Hari Parshad Das on the Chapters 30th and 31st of 10th canto of SB/Krishna book.  About Hari Parshad Das Hari Parshad Dasa is a disciple of Radha Govinda Das Goswami, and joined ISKCON in 2002. He was born in a Gauda-sarasvata brahmana family in Mumbai. His father and grandfather are both devotees of Sri Sri Rukmini Vitthala of Pandharpur. Hari Parshad Dasa learned Sanskrit in the traditional way in his childhood and was taught the Laghu-siddhanta-kaumudi of Pandita Varadaraja. Between 2002 to 2007 he served as a book distributor, and organised programs and seminars for ISKCON youth in Juhu.  He has also written Sanskrit verses in the Citra-kavya style. In 2007 Hari Parshad Dasa was appointed assistant editor of Gopal Jiu Publications. Hari Parshad Dasa is an accomplished Sanskrit scholar, having studied the Astadhyayi, the complete four thousand sutras by Panini and completing a translation with commentary of Bhakitvinode Thakura’s Manah-siksa in 2015. He currently compiles a fortnightly e-magazine called “Sri Krishna Kathamrita Bindu” where he regularly contributes fresh translations and articles. He holds a Master’s Degree in Information Technology, graduating with distinction from the Manipal University in 2012. He is married with a son. Hari Parshad Dasa has been a member of the Sastric Advisory Council since 2016.

The Rāsa Dance: Introduction (SB 10:29): Hari Parshad Das  GBC SPT brings to you an exciting series on "Krishna Lila in Vrindavan" with an intention of celebrating Kartika and enriching our Krishna consciousness together.   Our Day 23 Srimad Bhagavatam class will be presented by Hari Parshad Das on the Chapter 29th of 10th canto of SB/Krishna book.  About Hari Parshad Das Hari Parshad Dasa is a disciple of Radha Govinda Das Goswami, and joined ISKCON in 2002. He was born in a Gauda-sarasvata brahmana family in Mumbai. His father and grandfather are both devotees of Sri Sri Rukmini Vitthala of Pandharpur. Hari Parshad Dasa learned Sanskrit in the traditional way in his childhood and was taught the Laghu-siddhanta-kaumudi of Pandita Varadaraja. Between 2002 to 2007 he served as a book distributor, and organised programs and seminars for ISKCON youth in Juhu.  He has also written Sanskrit verses in the Citra-kavya style. In 2007 Hari Parshad Dasa was appointed assistant editor of Gopal Jiu Publications. Hari Parshad Dasa is an accomplished Sanskrit scholar, having studied the Astadhyayi, the complete four thousand sutras by Panini and completing a translation with commentary of Bhakitvinode Thakura’s Manah-siksa in 2015. He currently compiles a fortnightly e-magazine called “Sri Krishna Kathamrita Bindu” where he regularly contributes fresh translations and articles. He holds a Master’s Degree in Information Technology, graduating with distinction from the Manipal University in 2012. He is married with a son. Hari Parshad Dasa has been a member of the Sastric Advisory Council since 2016.

GBC SPT brings to you an exciting series on "Krishna Lila in Vrindavan" with an intention of celebrating Kartika and enriching our Krishna consciousness together.   Our Day 22 Srimad Bhagavatam class will be presented by Shankaranand Das on the Chapter 28th of 10th canto of SB/Krishna book.  About Shankaranand Das Shankaranand Das was introduced to Krsna Consciousness in 1992 and got initiated by HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj in the year 1995 at ISKCON Chowpaty, Mumbai. He served as a full time devotee at ISKCON Chowpatty temple in various capacities as a Preacher, Pujari and Management Team Member.   He has conducted several management trainings and served as faculty member of MGM Management School facilitating seminars on Business Ethics, Time Management, Self Management and Stress Management.  From 2004 he served in ISKCON New Vrindavan as Congregation Development Manager. He co-founded the Gopals Garden homeschool Co-oP in New Vrindavan. He has studied occult sciences like Astrology and Vastu (the science of home building ) and helped many people use these sciences in the most practical way in their lives. Shankaranand Das serves a board member of Dham Seva Inc, incorporated to fulfill the vision of Srila Prabhupada for New Vrindavan. Currently he resides in Sacramento with his wife and two children serving as a board member for ISKCON Sacramento and actively preaching the vedic philosophy.

GBC SPT brings to you an exciting series on "Krishna Lila in Vrindavan" with an intention of celebrating Kartika and enriching our Krishna consciousness together.   Our Day 21 Srimad Bhagavatam class will be presented by Prabhupada Priya on the Chapter 27th of 10th canto of SB/Krishna book.  About Prabhupada Priya Devi Dasi After receiving a BA in Human Ecology in 1991, Prabhupada Priya Devi Dasi traveled the world on an academic fellowship during which time she met ISKCON devotees. She became a full-time devotee in 1992, joining the ashram at London Soho Street temple. After several years of distributing books and leading a women’s traveling sankirtan party in the UK, she married and moved to India, spending 10 years in Vrindavan and another 9 years in Mayapur, raising her two daughters, teaching at Sri Mayapur International School, distributing books, and writing. She is author of Rising Above it All: Higher Consciousness, Happier Life, an introductory book aimed at outreach preaching. In 2018, she returned to the USA and currently resides at Krishna House in Gainesville, Florida, where she serves as Educational Director. She is a certified Bhakti Shastri teacher, a Bhaktivaibhava graduate, and is currently enrolled in the Bhaktivedanta course with VIHE. She recently graduated from the GBC College for Zonal Supervisor Training.

krishna lila

SB 10:24-25 

GBC SPT brings to you an exciting series on "Krishna Lila in Vrindavan" with an intention of celebrating Kartika and enriching our Krishna consciousness together.  

Our Day 19 Srimad Bhagavatam class will be presented by Gopal Krishna Goswami on the Chapters 24 and 25th of 10th canto of SB/Krishna book. 

About Gopal Krishna Goswami   

After visiting the ISKCON temple in Montreal, Canada in September of 1967, Gopal Krishna Goswami yearned to meet a Vaishnava guru and got the opportunity to meet Srila Prabhupada there in 1968. Gopal Krishna Goswami, originally from Delhi, India had a religious background and had great respect for sadhus or saints. The combination of his family background and his search for spiritual life led him to Srila Prabhupada and he accepted initiation from him in early 1969. Gopal Krishna Goswami has served as personal secretary to Srila Prabhupada at various times. 

 After graduating from Delhi University in 1964, Gopal Krishna Goswami studied business management in France under a French government scholarship. He also studied for some time at Sorbonne University in Paris. While pursuing business management at McGill University in Montreal, Gopal Krishna Goswami began contributing to ISKCON by financially assisting the Montreal temple. In December of 1974 he was made a GBC member by Srila Prabhupada and then transferred to India where he initially headed projects in Mumbai, Delhi, Gujarat, Hyderabad, Madras, Mayapur and Kanpur. His GBC responsibilities extended to other parts of Southeast Asia as well. Entrusted by Srila Prabhupada to visit the former Soviet Union in 1976 and 1977, Gopal Krishna Goswami acted as representative of the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust to promote the placement of Srila Prabhupada’s books at fairs and in libraries. He was very well received, as were the books he was presenting.  Gopal Krishna Goswami has served extensively in BBT (as chairman and trustee) in India, arranging for translation of Srila Prabhupada’s books into various regional languages and their distribution far and wide. He continues to encourage BBT book distribution in his zones, especially in India.  

In 1981 Gopal Krishna Goswami took sannyasa initiation and began to extend his travels to spread Krishna consciousness more widely in parts of the USA, Canada and eventually in parts of Africa. Currently he is GBC of over thirty temples around the world and serves as an initiating spiritual master, with disciples in Russia, America, Canada, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and New Zealand.  

Gopal Krishna Goswami played a leading role in inspiring and completing several large ISKCON temples, such as the Glory of India temple in New Delhi in 1998 (inaugurated by then Prime Minister of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee), ISKCON Pune (inaugurated by the President of India Pranab Mukherjee) and the Radha Bankebihari temple in Nairobi.

SB 10:23 - Radhika Nagara Das  

GBC SPT brings to you an exciting series on "Krishna Lila in Vrindavan" with an intention of celebrating Kartika and enriching our Krishna consciousness together.  

 Our Day 18 Srimad Bhagavatam class will be presented by Radhika Nagara Das on the Chapter 23rd of 10th canto of SB/Krishna book.  

About Radhika Nagara Das 

Rädhikä Nägara Das met the devotees in England while on a journey to India and began practicing Krishna consciousness in 1995. He joined the Scottish Yatra to become a brahmacari in 1996 and served there as sankirtana leader and a member of the Board of directors. The Scottish Yatra was one of the leading temples in book distribution around the world. 

In 2008, he moved to Mayapur, where he has been teaching and co- ordinating Bhakti-çästré, Bhaktivaibhava, and Bhaktivedanta courses at the Mayapur Institute. He was a member of the Mayapur Institute Board of Directors until 2020. Before Covid, He spent a few months a year traveling and preaching in Europe and the Middle East. He started the Spanish branch of the Mayapur TV in 2021.

SB 10:22- Bhakti Vijnana Swami  

GBC SPT brings to you an exciting series on "Krishna Lila in Vrindavan" with an intention of celebrating Kartika and enriching our Krishna consciousness together.   

Our Day 17 Srimad Bhagavatam class will be presented by Bhakti Vijnana Swami on the Chapter 22nd of 10th canto of SB/Krishna book.  

About Bhakti Vijnana Swami

 Bhakti Vijnana Goswami was born in Tashkent, former Soviet Union. He took to spiritual life in 1980, during a difficult time during the communist era in the former Soviet Union, when the National Security forces were harassing any type of spiritual practitioner. Despite these obstacles, Bhakti Vijnana Goswami—a scientist, a Moscow State University graduate and postgraduate student at Institute of Molecular Biology—decided to experiment with the Hare Krishna mantra. To his great happiness, it moved him profoundly. He is a disciple of Radhanath Swami and resides primarily in Moscow, Russia, working tirelessly towards the building of a monumental temple there. He travels widely throughout Russia sharing Krishna Consciousness.  

Since 1997 Bhakti Vijnana Goswami has acted as a member of ISKCON’s Governing Body Commission and since 2005 has served as one of the initiating gurus of ISKCON. His zonal responsibilities include Georgia (CIS) and Israel. He serves as co-zonal secretary for Eastern and Western Siberia, Northwest CIS, Ural Region, Moscow, Southern, Central Region, CIS, Golden Ring, Armenia, Far East and also co-GBC for North and South Korea. 

 On July 1, 2010 the Council for Public Awards of the Russian Federation awarded Bhakti Vijnana Goswami a medal “for professional and business reputation” third degree, “for his contribution in strengthening Russian-Indian friendly relations, and for his contribution to the popularization of the spiritual-cultural literary heritage of India.”

SB 10:21 - Guruprasad Swami

GBC SPT brings to you an exciting series on "Krishna Lila in Vrindavan" with an intention of celebrating Kartika and enriching our Krishna consciousness together.   Our Day 16 Srimad Bhagavatam class will be presented by Guru Prasad Swami on the Chapter 21st of 10th canto of SB/Krishna book.  

About Guru Prasad Swami Guru Prasad Swami was born in the USA and studied nuclear physics at Purdue University. After becoming disenchanted with science he transferred to the University of Texas where he made contact with the Hare Krishna movement; but it was later, during his military service in Panama when this encounter with ISKCON changed his life dramatically.  

Upon concluding his military service Guru Prasad Swami joined a pioneering group of Krishna devotees in Central America stationed in San José, Costa Rica. He attended the 1976 Mayapur-Vrindavan festival and was initiated by Srila Prabhupada there. He received sannyasa initiation in Rio de Janiero in Brazil in 1982.  Guru Prasad Swami’s early contribution in ISKCON Costa Rica centered on administrative services and distributing BBT publications beginning in 1975 in the USA and from 1976-1978 in Central America. He became the temple president of Costa Rica temple in 1978, and then began traveling around Latin America, opening new temples, establishing worship centers and collaborating in diverse administrative services. In 1987 he became a member of the GBC with zonal assignments in the Tucson area of Arizona, and Mexico. He is co-zonal secretary for El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Belize, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Colombia, Trinidad, Tobago and Venezuela.  Interested in the essential role that communication plays in ISKCON’s progress and in the lives of individuals associated with it, Guru Prasad Swami seeks to assist devotees cooperate in harmony, personally and collectively, through clear and open communication. His web site is http://gpswami.org/english/index-en.html and is available in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

(SB 10:20) -

 Atul Krishna Das  GBC SPT brings to you an exciting series on "Krishna Lila in Vrindavan" with an intention of celebrating Kartika and enriching our Krishna consciousness together.  Our Day 15 Srimad Bhagavatam class will be presented by Atul Krishna Das on the Chapter 20 of the 10th canto of SB/Krishna book.  About Atul Krishna Das Atul Krishna Das joined ISKCON's Melbourne Mahaprabhu Mandir in 1985 and served as a book distributor and fundraiser in in Australia for 12 years. He subsequently preached in Bangladesh for 4 years, under the personal guidance of his mantra guru Sriman Prabhavisnu Das, during which time he learnt fluent Bengali. Prabhu has resided in Sri Dhama Mayapur for more than 20 years, where he teaches sastra in both English & Bengali mediums. He currently serves as the Chairman of the ISKCON Board of Examinations, which sets standards for sastric study courses in ISKCON, and is an Executive Member of the Ministry of Education. 

(SB 10:19)-

 Bhakti Marga Swami  GBC SPT brings to you an exciting series on "Krishna Lila in Vrindavan" with an intention of celebrating Kartika and enriching our Krishna consciousness together.   Our Day 14 Srimad Bhagavatam class will be presented by Bhakti Marga Swami on the Chapter 19th of 10th canto of SB/Krishna book.  About Bhakti Marga Swami Bhaktimarga Swami was born on October 5, 1952. His first major encounter with devotees was in Toronto, at the college campus where he studied fine arts. He invited them to his apartment for an overnight stay, and without delay he gave up bad habits, went to the temple, and never left.  He was initiated by Srila Prabhupada in 1973.  Bhaktimarga Swami served ISKCON as Bhakta leader, Sankirtan leader, director of devotional plays, and from 1985-1995 he was the temple president in Toronto, where he took his vows of sannyasa in 1984.  He is an instructor in bhakti-yoga, mantra meditation, kirtan, and interactive dance. Widely known for his passion for the performing arts, he has taken an active role in writing and directing morality theatrical productions that are presented all over the world. Productions scripted and directed by him are as follows: The Jagannatha Story, Demon, Dhruva, Three Lives of Bharat, Ramayana, Krishna the Eighth Boy, Marichi, God Is, Gods and Demons, Grandsire, Vamana, The Gita, Chaitanya’s Verses, Lonely People, The Witness, Brother I Need You, Pancha Tattva, Canto Ten, Rolling the Dice, and Kunti and Karna. He has also directed such ISKCON Classics as “The Boatman,” “Big Fish, Little Fish,” and “The Age of Kali.”  He achieved the remarkable feat of walking across Canada four times, beginning with his first walk in 1996, detailed in the National Film Board of Canada documentary “The Longest Road.” His pedestrian pastimes include trekking across Ireland, the Fiji Islands, Mauritius, Trinidad, Guyana, Israel and the United States. He began his fourth cross-Canada trek in the autumn of 2011.  Bhaktimarga Swami began his GBC duties in the early 2000s—first as a GBC candidate, then as acting GBC, then as a full voting member. Presently he serves as the GBC for Canada and Cuba. He also has two GBC committee assignments: ISKCON’s constitution and VANDE Creative Arts.  Bhaktimarga Swami feels strongly about informing the general ISKCON community about the GBC’s various committees, projects, issues, and the members’ job descriptions. Regarding the GBC’s relationship with ISKCON members and others, Bhaktimarga Swami thinks that because many of the GBC members have mixed roles as gurus and administrators, there is too much multitasking resulting in a lack of empowerment. Upon being asked how he thought we could best improve upon that, he replied that we needed to bring in and train new men and women to replace the gurus as GBCs. Maharaja also remarked that the GBC’s apparent quietness was detrimental to its reputation and needed to be dispelled.  Bhaktimarga Swami’s base of operations is still in Toronto, Canada. You can hear more about him from his daily blog:  www.thewalkingmonk.org.

SB 10:18: Badrinarayan Swami  

GBC SPT brings to you an exciting series on "Krishna Lila in Vrindavan" with an intention of celebrating Kartika and enriching our Krishna consciousness together.   

Our Day 13 Srimad Bhagavatam class will be presented by Badrinarayan Swami on the Chapter 18th of 10th canto of SB/Krishna book.  

About Badrinarayan Swami 

Badrinarayan Swami is an initiated disciple of Srila Prabhupada, the Founder/Acharya of ISKCON (the International Society for Krishna Consciousness). Born in 1952, he met Srila Prabhupada in 1969, moved into the Laguna Beach temple as a full-time monk in 1970, and took his initiation vows in 1971.

He was the temple president of the ISKCON temple in Ann Arbor, Michigan from 1973 through 1977 and of the San Diego temple from 1978 until 1993. He has been serving as a member of ISKCON’s international governing body (GBC) since 1987. Badrinarayan Swami has served as the chairman of  ISKCON’s international GBC and is a member of ISKCON’s North American GBC executive committee. He is the author and co-author of several GBC position papers and serves as a member of a number of the GBC’s strategic and steering committees. Badrinarayan Swami was awarded the sannyasa order in 2014 and became an ISKCON diksha guru in 2020.

SB 10:16-17:Subduing Kāliya/ Extinguishing the Forest Fire: Romapada Swami

GBC SPT brings to you an exciting series on "Krishna Lila in Vrindavan" with an intention of celebrating Kartika and enriching our Krishna consciousness together.  Our Day 12 Srimad Bhagavatam class will be presented by Romapada Swami on the Chapters 16-17 of the 10th canto of SB/Krishna book.

About Romapada Swami

1969, while attending the State University of Buffalo, Romapada Swami met his eternal spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada. Romapada Swami entered a crowded auditorium, where Srila Prabhupada and the poet, Allen Ginsberg, were chanting the Hare Krishna Mahamantra. Although Romapada Swami was unable to understand Srila Prabhupada’s lecture due to his thick and unfamiliar Bengali accent, this experience left a deep impression on his heart.  Shortly thereafter, he received his first Back to Godhead magazine from his dear Godbrother, His Grace Bhurijana Prabhu, who was studying at the same university. Reading an article by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura was a powerful, consciousness-uplifting experience. Romapada Swami was spontaneously and intuitively attracted.  Romapada Swami had read seven different versions of the Bhagavad Gita, none of which were easy for him to understand. However, upon reading Srila Prabhupada’s Bhagavad Gita As It Is, he was finally able to comprehend the true essence of the sacred text. He felt an intense sense of appreciation for Srila Prabhupada and the sacrifices he made to bring bhakti yoga (the practice of devotional service) to the Western world in order to deliver souls like himself from rampant materialism.

Romapada Swami joined the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) and moved into a temple. Although he was admitted into medical school, Romapada Swami gave up any pursuit of the career

In July of 1971, Romapada Swami received his first initiation (harinama diksa) from his spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada. He later received his second initiation (brahmana diksa) in the summer of 1972. Romapada Swami spent many years in the New York temple and served as the temple president and congregational chanting (sankirtana) leader. For years, Romapada Swami was fully dedicated to book distribution. He would arrange to have various book distribution events, provide books and sanctified food (prasadam), acquire necessary permits, and coordinate the overall efforts.

In 1983, Romapada Swami accepted sannyasa, the renounced order of life. He traveled extensively throughout the United States and Europe, sharing Krishna consciousness. In 1985, Romapada Swami became an official initiating spiritual teacher within ISKCON. Aside from traveling extensively throughout the world teaching bhakti yoga, Romapada Swami also served as a General Body Commissioner (GBC) for many temples within ISKCON. Despite his intense travels and managerial duties, Romapada Swami has nurtured the devotional lives of receptive souls for decades. Through his careful cultivation, there are robust spiritual communities in several major American cities, Guyana, India, and China. He attracts a diverse set of individuals to the bhakti yoga practice and lifestyle.

SB 10:15:The Killing of Dhenukāsura: Radha Dasi  

GBC SPT brings to you an exciting series on "Krishna Lila in Vrindavan" with an intention of celebrating Kartika and enriching our Krishna consciousness together.  

 Our Day 11 Srimad Bhagavatam class will be presented by Radha Devi Dasi on the Chapter 15h of 10th canto of SB/Krishna book.

SB 10:13-14:

 The Stealing of the Boys and Calves by Brahmā/ Prayers Offered by Lord Brahmā to Lord Kṛṣṇa: Urmila Devi Dasi  GBC SPT brings to you an exciting series on "Krishna Lila in Vrindavan" with an intention of celebrating Kartika and enriching our Krishna consciousness together.  Our Day 10 Srimad Bhagavatam class will be presented by Urmila Devi Dasi on the Chapters 13th and 14th of 10th canto of SB/Krishna book.  About Urmila Devi Dasi Urmila devi dasi (Dr. Edith Best) has served ISKCON continuously since her initiation by Srila Prabhupada in 1973. She and her husband are in the vanaprastha order since 1996. They have three married children, 14 grandchildren, and two great-grandsons. She has a PhD in education, was a primary and secondary teacher for 27 years, and has 19 years of experience with school management. Urmila is the chair of the Sastric Advisory Council to the GBC, was an associate editor of Back to Godhead for 30 years, and formerly a professor of Sociology of Religion at Bhaktivedanta College. She travels worldwide teaching Krishna consciousness. She is the author of Essence Seekers, Dr. Best Learn to Read, an 83-book literacy program, and The Great Mantra for Mystic Meditation.  

SB 10:12:

 The Killing of the Demon Aghāsura: Candramauli Swami  GBC SPT brings to you an exciting series on "Krishna Lila in Vrindavan" with an intention of celebrating Kartika and enriching our Krishna consciousness together.  Our Day 9 Srimad Bhagavatam class will be presented by Candramauli Swami  on the Chapter 12th of 10th canto of SB/Krishna book.  About Candramauli Swami Born in New Jersey, USA, in 1947, HH Candramauli Swami came in contact with the International Society for Krishna Consciousness in Denver, Colorado, at the age of 24. In 1973 he began practicing Krishna Consciousness in New York City and shortly thereafter began serving at the New Vrindavan farm comunity in West Virginia. That same year he received initiation from His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.  In 1986 HH Candramauli Swami accepted the sannyasa order and began preaching in Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio. In the early 1980's he became involved with the ISKCON Prison Ministry in the USA and began visiting prisoners and holding programs in jails, along with regularly writing letters to inmates and sending them Srila Prabhupada's books.  HH Candramauli Swami is now the leader of the ISKCON Prison Ministry and has worked tirelessly to document the spiritual progression of the world-wide inmate community. His dedication to the welfare, growth and sustainable rehabilitation of these prisoners has culminated in the book "Holy Jail", a touching compilation of the activities of the ISKCON Prison Ministry (IPM). In over thirty years of operation, the lives of hundreds of inmates have changed due to the practice of Krishna consciousness and the support received by devotees.  In 1995 he began serving as the resident sannyasi in Chicago where he was based until 2013 when he relocated to Karlovac, Croatia. At present HH Candramauli Swami offers spiritual guidance around Europe, USA and India.  HH Candramauli Swami is a disciple of ISKCON Founder Acharya His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, and an initiating spiritual master within the ISKCON movement. 

SB 10:11:

 Killing the Demons Vatsāsura and Bakāsura: Manjari Devi Dasi  GBC SPT brings to you an exciting series on "Krishna Lila in Vrindavan" with an intention of celebrating Kartika and enriching our Krishna consciousness together.   Our Day 8 Srimad Bhagavatam class will be presented by Manjari Devi Dasi on the Chapter 11th of the 10th canto of SB/Krishna book.  About Manjari Devi  Manjari Devi Dasi was born in Budapest, Hungary in 1971, got initiation from HH Srila Sivarama Swami Maharaja in 1990. She served as a BBT translator between 1990-1996 until all of Śrīla Prabhupāda's books had been translated into Hungarian. She lived in Krishna Valley, New Vraja-dhama in Hungary and was performing managerial services between 1997-2004 being responsible for the Deity department, festivals, VIP guestcare and tourism. After finishing her Vaiṣṇava Theology BA studies at the Bhaktivedanta College in Budapest and doing an MA in Religious Studies she joined the College as a teacher in 2008. She teaches Sanskrit, Introduction to Vedic Literature, Rāmāyaṇa, Bhagavat-tattva, Guru-tattva, Bṛhad-Bhāgavatāmṛta and the ISKCON Disciple Course. She is also writing her PhD in history focusing on Srila Prabhupada's contribution to Gaudiya Vaisnavism, and serves as the Sanskrit editor for HH Srila Sivarama Swami Maharaja's books.  #kartika, #Kartik #celebratingkartik #celebratekartik #kartikfestival #gbcspt #harekrishna #srilaprabhupada #kartikamonth #kartikmaas

SB:10.9-10  Mother Yaśodā Binds Lord Kṛṣṇa/ The Deliverance of Nalakūvara and Maṇigrīva

GBC SPT brings to you an exciting series on "Krishna Lila in Vrindavan" with an intention of celebrating Kartika and enriching our Krishna consciousness together.  Our Day 7 Srimad Bhagavatam class will be presented by Bhakti Caitanya Swami  on the Chapters 9th and 10th of 10th canto of SB/Krishna book.

About Bhakti Caitanya Swami

Originally from New Zealand, Bhakti Caitanya Swami joined the Hare Krishna movement in London, early in 1973. Almost a year before, as a philosophy student at Auckland University, he had first seen his future spiritual master walking across the campus with his followers. Srila Prabhupada initiated Bhakti Caitanya Swami later in 1973, giving him the name Raghubir Dasa. Eleven years later in Mayapur, the order of sannyasa was awarded to Bhakti Caitanya Swami who is an initiating spiritual master for many devotees around the world.

Bhakti Caitanya Swami initially served in the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust and also distributed Srila Prabhupada’s books from 1973 until 1980.

Then Bhakti Caitanya Swami moved to South Africa, where, from 1980 to 1982, he served as temple president in the rural community of Cato Ridge. Thereafter he did fund raising for the building of the Temple of Understanding in Durban, which opened in 1985. This extraordinary temple combines modern design with traditional Vedic architecture and is one of South Africa’s landmarks. Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims and tourists visit each year.

From 1985 until 1988 Bhakti Caitanya Swami served as regional secretary for South Africa, and he then participated in an outreach project in Johannesburg from 1988 until 1991. From that time until now, Bhakti Caitanya Swami is mostly engaged in traveling and spreading Krsna consciousness in an authoritative and accessible way. His permanent base is Durban, where his gentle and saintly presence provides stability.

After joining the GBC in 1998, Bhakti Caitanya Swami’s assignments have included Angola, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Estonia. Furthermore, he acts as co-GBC for Mauritius, Northwest Russia, Eastern Siberia, Western Siberia, Latvia, South Africa, and Lithuania. Bhakti Caitanya Swami has served as chairman of the GBC in 2002-2003 and as vice chairman in 2001-2003 and then again in 2010-2011. Within the strategic planning team effort, Bhakti Caitanya Swami is involved in the team building committee.

SB:10.8: Vision of the Universal Form: Prabhupada Priya Devi Dasi 

GBC SPT brings to you an exciting series on "Krishna Lila in Vrindavan" with an intention of celebrating Kartika and enriching our Krishna consciousness together.

Our Day 6 Srimad Bhagavatam class will be presented by Prabhupada Priya Devi Dasi on the Chapter 8th of 10th canto of SB/Krishna book.

About Prabhupada Priya Devi Dasi

After receiving a BA in Human Ecology in 1991, Prabhupada Priya Devi Dasi traveled the world on an academic fellowship during which time she met ISKCON devotees. She became a full-time devotee in 1992, joining the ashram at London Soho Street temple. After several years of distributing books and leading a women’s traveling sankirtan party in the UK, she married and moved to India, spending 10 years in Vrindavan and another 9 years in Mayapur, raising her two daughters, teaching at Sri Mayapur International School, distributing books, and writing. She is author of Rising Above it All: Higher Consciousness, Happier Life, an introductory book aimed at outreach preaching. In 2018, she returned to the USA and currently resides at Krishna House in Gainesville, Florida, where she serves as Educational Director. She is a certified Bhakti Shastri teacher, a Bhaktivaibhava graduate, and is currently enrolled in the Bhaktivedanta course with VIHE. She recently graduated from the GBC College for Zonal Supervisor Training.

SB:10.7 The Salvation of Tṛṇāvarta: Radha Padmalaya Devi Dasi 

GBC SPT brings to you an exciting series on "Krishna Lila in Vrindavan" with an intention of celebrating Kartika and enriching our Krishna consciousness together.

 Our Day 5 Srimad Bhagavatam class will be presented by Radha Padmalaya Devi Dasi on the Chapter 7th of 10th canto of SB/Krishna book.

About Radha Padmalaya Devi Dasi

Sri Radha Padmalaya, from Mayapur, studied at the Anasuya Vidya Mandala (Bhaktivedanta Academy). Took first and second initiations from His Holiness Srila Indradyumna Swami. Maharaj gave blessings and instructions for her to continue preaching Krishna Consciousness through lectures and classes.

SB:10.6 Pūtanā Killed - Nitai Sevini Devi Dasi

GBC SPT brings to you an exciting series on "Krishna Lila in Vrindavan" with an intention of celebrating Kartika and enriching our Krishna consciousness together. 

Our Day 4 Srimad Bhagavatam class will be presented by Nitai Sevini Devi Dasi on the Chapter 6th of the 10th canto of SB/Krishna book.

About Nitai Sevini Devi Dasi

Nitaisevini Devi Dasi was born in Mumbai in a Gujarati Business family, conventional followers of the Pushtimarg. Later she with her family shifted to Hyderabad in 1984, since then she was closely connected to ISKCON Secunderbad. Inspired by Visits of many senior devotees, she later joined as a Full time devotee in 1997 and took initiation in the year 1998 in Atlanta,USA from H.H.Jayapataka Swami. She has completed her Graduation in Commerce, Masters in Education with a PG diploma in Management of Voluntary Organisation. She is Perusing her PhD in Education from Andhra University,Presently she is the Principal of Divine Touch School, actively involved in Collection, Festival Coordination, Congregation preaching, College Preaching, and shouldering management responsibility with her husband H.G.Samba Das ,President ISKCON Visakhapatnam. She initiated Bhakti Yoga Residential Summer camp at Visakhapatnam where by school Children stay as a devotee for one week in the temple, which has been very successful program.

 SB 10.5: The Meeting of Nanda Mahārāja and Vasudeva: Chaturatma Das 

GBC SPT brings to you an exciting series on "Krishna Lila in Vrindavan" with an intention of celebrating Kartika and enriching our Krishna consciousness together.   Our Day 3 Srimad Bhagavatam class will be presented by Chaturatma Das on the Chapter 5 of 10th canto of SB/Krishna book.

About Chaturatma Das

Chaturatma Dasa joined ISKCON in St. Louis Missouri in 1973. He received brahminical initiation from Srila Prabhupada in June of 1974. In August of 1974 the devotees in St. Louis installed Sri Sri Nitai Gauranataraja. At that time Chaturatma started with his training in the deity program. By the year’s end he was engaged as the full time pujari for Sri Sri Nitai Gauranataraja.

Since leaving St. Louis in 1976, he has served as head pujari in Dallas, Houston, Chicago and on two of the Radha Damodara buses. He has served as an assistant in the deity program in all three New York temples; 55 th St, 7 th Avenue, and Brooklyn. Currently he is serving on the deity management board for Radha Syamasundara in Alachua Florida. He also is an advisor for the Deity Worship conference.

Chaturatma is widely known for his background in yajna’s. While his basic training came from his early years of service in St. Louis, he has furthered his understanding and knowledge of deity service, yajnas, and samskaras by studying from and learning from a variety of sources over the years.

In the early 1980’s Chaturatma began to follow his interest in studying the lives of our acaryas. Researching, many avenues of background he has developed a very comprehensive picture of the lives of many of the acaryas in our line since the time of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. He has been invited to speak world wide on the lives of the vaisnavas acaryas. His work has included video presentations, lectures and conversations with both adults and children.

He currently travels a portion each year with Indradyunma Swami and Bada Hari Prabhu assisting them with their preaching in Poland, Russia, Ukraine and India. He resides in Alachua Florida with his wife, Pashupati. They have three grown children, Madhava Priya, Namananda and Manjula, as well as three granddaughters, Anjali, Suri and Revati Rani.

SB:10.4 Kaṁsa Begins His Persecutions: Vrsabhanu Das

GBC SPT brings to you an exciting series on "Krishna Lila in Vrindavan" with an intention of celebrating Kartika and enriching our Krishna consciousness together.

Our Day 2 Srimad Bhagavatam class will be presented by Vrsabhanu Das on the Chapter 4 of 10th canto of SB/Krishna book. The presentation will include: - brief recap of the pastime, ontology of Devaki's children, ontology of Kamsa, Discussion on demons in the spiritual world and notable points of reflection on this pastime

About Vrsabhanu Das

Vrsabhanu Das is a disciple of HH Partha-sarathi das Goswami. He is a Computer Science graduate with an MBA (Wales). He started off in Systems Development and then moved on to create “Gaura Nitai Management Consultancy” which he ran for 14 years, consulting to the Financial sector (Banks and Insurance), Engineering and Government, specializing in Program and Project Management and Operational/IT Risk and Governance.

In South Africa, he was involved in Namahatta preaching for 10 years and over a period of time was co-temple President of the ISKCON temple in Johannesburg, South African National Council member and Johannesburg Regional Board Chairman. He also taught at the Bhaktivedanta College of Education and Culture (BCEC) in Johannesburg. He retired from his consultancy in 2010 and moved with his family to ISKCON Gita Nagari, Pennsylvania, USA to serve Sri Sri Radha Damodara full time.

He and his family moved to Sridham Mayapur in 2011 and have been living there ever since. He taught at the Sri Mayapur International School (SMIS) until 2016, teaching Bhakti Sastri, Business Studies and Computer Studies. He has been serving the GBC Organizational Development Committee (Org Dev) and GBC Strategic Planning Committee (SPT) since 2016.

He has a wife and 2 married daughters, all of whom are initiated.

SB:10.1-3 Krishna's Birth-Background with Kaunteya Das

GBC SPT brings to you an exciting series on "Krishna Lila in Vrindavan" with an intention of celebrating Kartika and enriching our Krishna consciousness together.

To kick off the series, we will have the first Srimad Bhagavatam class on the Chapters 1-3 from the 10th canto/Krishna book detailing about Krishna's Birth/Appearance. We have the great honor to hear from Kaunteya Das.

About Kaunteya Das

Kaunteya Dasa, a disciple of His Holiness Jayapataka Swami, joined ISKCON in 1980 and is a member of the SPT since 2007. He has served in ISKCON as a book distributor, Gurukula teacher, Deputy GBC member and GBC Zonal Secretary. Kaunteya Dasa currently serves as co-chair of the GBC Organizational Development Committee and, together with His Holiness Jayapataka Swami, as co-minister of the ISKCON Congregational Development Ministry. He has designed courses on congregational and community development and has presented them in dozens of countries; has compiled books (Bhakti-Vrksa Manual, Super Sunday and The Book of Icebreakers) and has produced twenty issues of the “Congregational Development Journal.” As “Dr Carlo Oppecini” he is professor of Indovedic Psychology and Philosophy at the Bhakti Yoga College, Florida, USA. He also serves as trustee and faculty member of the GBC College for Leadership Development.

Damodara-lila Introduces Spontaneous Devotion with Sivarama Swami

Vraj Vihari Dasa

The GBC SPT invites everyone to join us to celebrate the upcoming month of Kartika together with an aspiration to help nourish your Krishna consciousness. Our Pre-Kartika event with Vraj Vihari Dasa will help us prepare our consciousness for celebrating the most auspicious month of Kartika.

About Vraj Vihari Dasa

Vraj Vihari Dasa joined ISKCON in 1977, and is part of the Strategic Planning Team from its inception in 2006. From 1978 to 1988 he was a member of ISKCON Detroit’s sankirtan team. He then moved to Vrindavan and served at the Vrindavan Institute for Higher Education from 1989-2010. In 2002 he formed ISKCON Resolve where he still serves as co-director. Vraj Bihari Dasa has a master’s degree in conflict resolution and has published several papers on the subject. He lists his special interests in Krishna consciousness as teaching from Srila Prabhupada’s books. Vraj Vihari Dasa presently lives in Maryland with his wife Ananda Vrindavanesvari Devi Dasi and their son Gopinath.

 DAY 1 with Madhavananda Das

In the mood of visiting the Dham when you can't physically go to the Dham, GBC Strategic Planning Team (SPT) is bringing the Dham to you. Urging you all to fire up your phone or computer and join us on a transcendental virtual journey into the pastime places of Lord Jagannath and His devotees in Sri Puri Dham, which is non-different than Vrindavan with Madhavananda Das.

About Madhavananda Das 

Madhavananda Das is the managing editor of Gopal Jiu Publications and Sri Krishna Kathamrita magazine and the popular email journal Sri Krishna Kathamrita Bindu. He is also the director of GORA, the Gaudiya Odia Research Association which is a branch of the BRC, Bhaktivedanta Research Center. Madhavananda joined ISKCON in Los Angeles in 1982. He moved to Orissa in 1993 where he has been living since. He was instructed by his spiritual master Sri Srimad Gour Govinda Swami Maharaja to render his lectures into publications. He is the author and editor of numerous books and articles; and has contributed to Journal of Vaishnava Studies and Back to Godhead Magazine. Aside from his publishing work, Madhavananda travels worldwide giving seminars and classes. He has a special interest in researching esoteric Gaudiya topics and subjects about Lord Jagannath as well as the culture and sacred places of Orissa. His work can be seen at www.gopaljiu.org or on Facebook at Madhavananda Das.

(in Bengali) with Bhakti Prema Swami

GBC SPT brings to you multilingual weekly lectures on the most celebrated eight verses of Damodarashtakam to honor and glorify the most auspicious month of Kartika.

To kick of the series, we have the honor to hear from Bhakti Prema Swami in Bengali. About Bhakti Prema Swami

HH Bhakti Prema Swami, born on 31st December 1967, came in contact with ISKCON in 1994 and joined as a full‐time devotee in 1995 in Mayapur. He received initiation in the family of Jagat Guru Srila Prabhupada from His Holiness Bhakti Caru Swami Maharaj. He came in Krishna Consciousness in 1994. Since 1994 , when he was 27, he is serving in the mission of His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada. He sings Vaisnav Bhajans melodiously and beautifully explains their purports. He focuses on establishing loving relationship with devotees and everyone else. In the year 2000, he completed Bhakti Sastri Course and subsequently taught the same under MIHE University. In the year 2001, he was asked to serve as the Vice President of ISKCON Kolkata (WB) and served in that capacity till 2004. He was actively involved in temple management as well as youth preaching in Kolkata during these 3 years.

on 5th March 2015 Gaur Purnima Day at ISKCON Ujjain he accepted the sannyas. Currently he is assigned to preach in various places in India like Ujjain, Indore and specially in Bangladesh. In 2006, GBC gave him the ISKCON Global Excellence Award for significant contribution in opening a new Vedic temple in Ujjain. He served in that capacity till 2011 and is currently the Co‐President of ISKCON Ujjain.

He preaches in English, Hindi and Bengali in Ujjain and many other places of Madhya Pradesh especially to college students.Very humble by nature ,currently he is serving as a Temple President of ISKCON Ujjain, Sri Sri Radha Madan Mohan Temple, Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, INDIA .ISKCON Ujjain consist of a marvellous temple, a separate Lord Jagannath temple, Food for life center, vedic city, international guest house and a future vision to construct a Hospital , IT park, School etc in the service of Srila Prabhupada.

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Episode 11

The Birth of Systematic Child Protection with Anuttama Das GBC SPT welcomes you to join the eleventh episode of GBC History series. This series is to encourage devotees to ask any questions pertaining to the GBC body, its conception to inception to execution. This week we have the honor to hear from Anuttama Das in conversation with Kaunteya Das about the systematic beginning of child protection in ISKCON.

About Anuttama Das

As a student in political and social science at Michigan State University, USA, Anuttama Das found the university incapable to provide answers to the most important questions in life. Thus he chose to not complete his formal education. After exploring varied traditions ranging from Zen Buddhism to Methodism, he finally ended up in an ISKCON ashrama in Colorado in 1975. Although a skeptic, he vowed, after his first night at the temple, that he wouldn’t go back to things he’d found unfulfilling and would leave only if he found a better path to God. Anuttama Das was initiated by Srila Prabhupada in Vrindavan, India in 1976.

Anuttama Das began serving as leader of BBT book distribution and later he became president of the Denver temple the same Colorado ashram he had visited in 1975. He relocated to Washington, D.C. in 1993.

Anuttama Das has been a member of the GBC since 2000 and his GBC assignments are all in the USA: Delaware, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. He is co-GBC in West Virginia. His vision for the future of ISKCON is that it will mature and grow to be a respected and influential culture and religion around the world.

“ISKCON and the Vaishnava tradition have great gifts to share with the world, especially in these troubled times. I have faith that as ISKCON devotees become better qualified to follow and represent Srila Prabhupada and Lord Caitanya, the great culture of Bhakti that they brought to the world will have tangible and long lasting effects.”

Besides his GBC duties, Anuttama Das currently serves as ISKCON’s International Director of Communications and is on the Board of the Bhaktivedanta College in Belgium. A founding member of Children of Krishna, and the Grihasta Vision Team, he is active in several interfaith initiatives in Washington, D.C., including the Religion Communicators Council. Under his direction, the communications office founded the annual Vaishnava-Christian Dialogue and Vaishnava-Muslim Dialogue as well as the North America’s Festival of Inspiration.Anuttama Dasa is a regular contributor to ISKCON News and has authored articles for the ISKCON Communications Journal, and several interfaith publications. He is also active in several religious freedom initiatives and networks with government and NGOs in Washington to promote religious freedom around the world.

Anuttama Das enacts his leadership goals by teaching the following seminars in ISKCON communities worldwide: “ISKCON’s Leadership and Management,” Communications Course,” “Guru Seminar,” and the new “Disciples Course,” all of which he helped co-author with teams of senior devotees. Anuttama Das and his wife, Rukmini Devi Dasi, own a business which for many years has been a principal source of revenue for the International Communications Ministry. They live in Rockville, Maryland and attend the local ISKCON temple in Potomac, Maryland.

Episode 10

All the way up to the US Supreme Court: Badrinarayan Swami

GBC SPT welcomes you to join the tenth episode of GBC History series. This series is to encourage devotees to ask any questions pertaining to the GBC body, its conception to inception to execution. This week we have the honor to hear from Badrinarayan Swami in conversation with Kaunteya Das.

About Badrinarayan Swami

Badrinarayan Swami is an initiated disciple of Srila Prabhupada, the Founder/Acharya of ISKCON (the International Society for Krishna Consciousness). Born in 1952, he met Srila Prabhupada in 1969, moved into the Laguna Beach temple as a full-time monk in 1970, and took his initiation vows in 1971.

He was the temple president of the ISKCON temple in Ann Arbor, Michigan from 1973 through 1977 and of the San Diego temple from 1978 until 1993.

He has been serving as a member of ISKCON’s international governing body (GBC) since 1987. Badrinarayan Swami has served as the chairman of  ISKCON’s international GBC and is a member of ISKCON’s North American GBC executive committee.

He is the author and co-author of several GBC position papers and serves as a member of a number of the GBC’s strategic and steering committees.

Badrinarayan Swami was awarded the sannyasa order in 2014 and became an ISKCON diksha guru in 2020.

Episode 9

The Reform Movement & The 50-Men Committee with Hridyananda Das Goswami & Brahma Tirtha Das

GBC SPT welcomes you to join the ninth episode of GBC History series. This series is to encourage devotees to ask any questions pertaining to the GBC body, its conception to inception to execution. This week we have the honor to hear from Hridyananda Das Goswami and Brahma Tirtha Das in conversation with Kaunteya Das.

About Hridayananda das Goswami

As one of the most senior and respected spiritual leaders of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), Hridayananda das Goswami (Howard J. Resnick, Ph.D.) is an early pioneer and renowned teacher of bhakti yoga in the Western world. At the forefront of contemporary religious dialogue, he is celebrated for his unique ability to adapt the wisdom of ancient Indian philosophy into teachings that are comprehensible for Western audiences. H.D. Goswami (born November 5, 1948) grew up in Los Angeles, California and began his studies at the University of California, Berkeley where he participated in the political and cultural movements of the late sixties. In 1969, after attending a campus lecture delivered by Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the Founder-Acharya of ISKCON, he began studying the philosophical literature of Prabhupada’s movement, and in September 1969, took up the monastic practice of bhakti-yoga in the Prabhupada’s Berkeley ISKCON center. In 1970, he was formally initiated into the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition. During the next four years, he served as president of bhakti-yoga centers in Gainesville, Florida and Houston, and lectured on university campuses throughout North America. In 1974, Prabhupada asked him to assume responsibility for Latin America and in the next several years, he opened dozens of bhakti-yoga centers in over a dozen countries, and organized the leading publishing house of Indian spiritual literature in Spanish and Portuguese. In 1982, he took responsibility for ISKCON’s many centers in Florida, and in 1987 in Italy and Greece. Around this time, together with a team he formed, he completed Prabhupada’s epic translation and commentary on the Bhāgavata-purāṇa.

Meanwhile, H.D.Goswami had returned to the University of California in 1991 as a student of World Religions. After graduating, he continued his studies at Harvard University, where he received his Ph.D. in Sanskrit & Indian Studies in 1996. Having published articles with Harvard University Press, University of California Press, and Columbia University Press, he recently published his dissertation as the ninety-first volume of the prestigious Harvard Oriental Series. He has taught at the Graduate Theological Union and the University of Florida, and lectured at many dozens of universities in North and South America, Europe, and India. Fluent in seven languages (English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, French, German, and Sanskrit), Resnick recently completed the literal translation of his popular Complete Guide to the Bhagavad-gītā with Literal Translation, and published Quest for Justice, an explanation of the epic Mahā-bhārata. He is now currently working on a trilogy of the Mahā-bhārata.

Around 2013, he founded Krishna West to help facilitate ISKCON’s outreach to Western audiences. Krishna West now has centers throughout the world.

About Brahma Tirtha Das

Brahma Tirtha Prabhu is a board member at Krishna House, a senior disciple of Srila Prabhupada, a professional mediator, and an advisor for the EPA, and the director of the City of Gainesville Planning Board. His initial conversations with Srila Prabhupada were recorded and later published in a book entitled Perfect Questions, Perfect Answers.

Episode 8

My First Years as a GBC with Jayapataka Swami

GBC SPT welcomes you to join the eight episode of GBC History series. This series is to encourage devotees to ask any questions pertaining to the GBC body, its conception to inception to execution.

About Jayapataka Swami

Jayapataka Swami was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. His scholastic achievements led to an offer of a full scholarship by Brown University after his completion of high school. As a new student at Brown, Jayapataka Swami heard a guest lecturer speak on the life of Buddha. This inspired in him the desire to search for his spiritual teacher.

Having lost all interest in his studies, Jayapataka Swami deemed India to be the best destination to find this teacher. Before departing he came across a group of Hare Krishna devotees and became interested in sharing their practices. Shortly thereafter he visited the San Francisco ISKCON center where he helped to build a cart for the now world famous Ratha Yatra Festival. He joined ISKCON’s San Francisco center on Ratha Yatra day and then traveled to Montreal to meet Srila Prabhupada immediately afterward. Srila Prabhupada welcomed him and spontaneously invited Jayapataka Swami to join him for lunch. He was so moved by his newly found teacher that he vigorously participated in the pioneering activities of the fledgling movement.

He received initiation from Srila Prabhuapda in Montreal, Canada in 1968 and two weeks later took over the post of president of ISKCON Montreal center. He helped open an ISKCON center in Toronto, then with Bhagavan Dasa helped open ISKCON’s center in Chicago. In 1970, Srila Prabhupada sent him to India where he served as president of the ISKCON Kolkata center. About a year and half later Srila Prabhupada sent him to Mayapur where he received sannyasa initiation. He and the other foundational team members were entrusted with the responsibility of developing Mayapur with Srila Prabhupada’s words “I have given you the kingdom of God. Now develop it and enjoy it.” Mayapur’s current state of development stands testimony to Jayapataka Swami’s untiring efforts over the last four decades, along with the able assistance of other dedicated followers of Srila Prabhupada.

At the time of his departure from this mortal world in 1977, Srila Prabhupada requested Jayapataka Swami to take up the responsibility of being an initiating spiritual master and to act as one of ISKCON’s governing body commissioners. Since then Jayapataka Swami has been executing these responsibilities.

During his initial time in Mayapur, West Bengal, Jayapataka Swami learned the Bengali language and was one of the few Western devotees to obtain Indian citizenship. His activities have included distribution of BBT books, temple construction, agricultural development, cultivating new members in the cities and villages, schools and colleges and organizing large events to share Krishna consciousness, which have included thousands of participants in attendance. Other notable achievements are the establishment of the Food For Life program in rural Bengal, the organization of large-scale pilgrimages for Western devotees and his service as chairman of Bhaktivedanta Swami Charity Trust, which was established by Srila Prabhupada to renovate Gaudiya Vaishnava temples and maintain ancient sites in the holy lands. Jayapataka Swami has found time for book translation amidst his multifarious activities. He has translated Vaishnava Ke, Vrindavan Bhajan and Godruma Kalpatavi.

Episode 7

My Experience of the Zonal Acarya Days with Vraj Vihari Dasa

GBC SPT welcomes you to join the seventh episode of GBC History series. This series is to encourage devotees to ask any questions pertaining to the GBC body, its conception to inception to execution.

About Vraj Vihari Dasa

Vraja Vihari Dasa joined ISKCON in 1977, and is part of the Strategic Planning Team from its inception in 2006. From 1978 to 1988 he was a member of ISKCON Detroit’s Sankirtan team. He then moved to Vrindavan and served at the Vrindavan Institute for Higher Education from 1989-2010. In 2002 he formed ISKCON Resolve where he still serves as co-director. Vraj Vihari Dasa has a master’s degree in conflict resolution and has published several papers on the subject. He lists his special interests in Krishna consciousness as teaching from Srila Prabhupada’s books. He presently lives in Maryland with his wife Ananda Vrindavanesvari Devi Dasi and their son Gopinath.

Episode 6

My GBC Days with Balavanta Das

GBC SPT welcomes you to join the sixth episode of our GBC History series. This series is to encourage devotees to ask any questions pertaining to the GBC body, its conception to inception to execution.

This is a specially exciting series as we welcome Balavanta Das, who lived through the Zonal Acarya days of ISKCON being a GBC and will share with us his first hand experiences during that era.

About Balavanta Das

Balavanta Das got his first association with the Krishna Consciousness movement in 1969 in Berkeley, California where he met Hari Basara Das. He was a very expert Sankirtan preacher and engaged Balavanta Das along with him. Balavanta Das later became the President of the Atlanta ISKCON center. He was inducted into the GBC in 1974 and served on it until 1988. He became the GBC chairman in 1986. With Srila Prabhupada’s blessings, he enrolled in law school at the University of Florida from where he graduated in 1982. He was then admitted into the Florida and Tennessee bars. He has been practicing law since then. He presently resides in the Alachua, Florida Dham. His got married to Ballavhi in 1971 with Srila Prabhupada’s blessings. They have two grown children and four grandchildren.

Episode 5

GBC SPT welcomes you to join the fifth episode of our 5-week series on the GBC History. This series is to encourage devotees to ask any questions pertaining to the GBC body, its conception to inception to execution.

This is a specially exciting series as we welcome Hari Sauri Das, who lived through the Zonal Acarya days of ISKCON being a GBC and will share with us his first hand experiences during that era.

About Hari Sauri Das 

Hari Sauri was born in England on November 17th 1950. In May 1971, he emigrated to Australia where, on the second day of his arrival, he met the members of the newly emerging Krishna Consciousness movement. He was duly accepted as an initiated disciple by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada on April 9th, 1972 in Sydney.

In August 1975, he moved to the newly opened ISKCON Krishna Balaram temple in Vrindavan U.P. India, where he served as temple commander. In November of the same year, he joined A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada’s personal entourage, remaining as His Divine Grace’s servant for 16 months. In March of 1977, Srila Prabhupada appointed him ISKCON’s Governing Body Commissioner for Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia, a service he performed for over 7 years. During that period, he oversaw the growth of the ISKCON society in the South Seas from 4 temple and ashrams, to 17, including 4 farming communities, 2 schools and several restaurants. He was also instrumental in establishing branches of the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust in Australia and Indonesia.

In 1986, he began the work of transforming the diary he kept while traveling with Srila Prabhupada into a book, or rather a series of books. In 1990, he moved to America and worked as publisher for Back To Godhead magazine, the Krishna consciousness movement’s spiritual periodical, for a year.

He lives at ISKCON World Head Quarters, in Mayapur West Bengal, India, near Kolkata, with his wife and daughter where he continues to publish his memories of being with Srila Prabhupada. He is currently the director of the Bhaktivedanta Research Center in Kolkata an academic resource of Gaudiya Vaisnavism and an archive library of ancient vaisnava text. These ancient texts are being both digitized and preserved in the original state.

Episode 4

Reflections on the Zonal Acarya Days GBC SPT welcomes you to join the fourth episode of our 5-week series on the GBC History. This series is to encourage devotees to ask any questions pertaining to the GBC body, its conception to inception to execution.  This is a specially exciting series as we welcome Gopal Bhatta Das and Pancharatna Das, who lived through the Zonal Acarya days of ISKCON and will share with us their first hand experiences.  About Gopal Bhatta Das Gopal Bhatta Dasa was initiated by Srila Prabhupada in 1971 in Detroit, US. From 1973 until 1976, Gopal Bhatta Dasa served as a sankirtan leader for the following cities: Cleveland, Detroit, Dallas and Chicago. He was the temple president in Los Angeles from 1977 until 1980. It is unique that Gopal Bhatta das is currently in no position of formal leadership or management within ISKCON but he contributes with an independence that is considered by many to give a fresh perspective. He is the chairperson of the Strategic Planning Team (SPT) that was activated in 2006 and he has created vitality and drive among the team members that are supporting the GBC’s future. His vision for ISKCON is “more devotees, happier devotees.” He has three sons and one daughter, and his home base is Los Angeles, CA.  About Pancharatna Das Pancharatna dasa joined ISKCON in Toronto, Canada as a brahmacari in 1970. He went on to serve in ISKCON New York in various capacities until 1976 when he moved to Sri Mayapur. There he accepted many responsibilities including building construction and establishing the Bengali language division of the BBT. He met his wife Atitaguna dasi in Mayapur and was married there in 1980, raising four children with her mostly in Mayapur. He currently resides in Mayapur and serves the GBC in various capacities primarily through ISKCON Online.  About Kaunteya Das Kaunteya Dasa, a disciple of His Holiness Jayapataka Swami, joined ISKCON in 1980 and is a member of the SPT since 2007. He has served in ISKCON as a book distributor, Gurukula teacher, Deputy GBC member and GBC Zonal Secretary. Kaunteya Dasa currently serves as co-chair of the GBC Organizational Development Committee and, together with His Holiness Jayapataka Swami, as co-minister of the ISKCON Congregational Development Ministry. He has designed courses on congregational and community development and has presented them in dozens of countries; has compiled books (Bhakti-Vrksa Manual, Super Sunday and The Book of Icebreakers) and has produced twenty issues of the “Congregational Development Journal.” As “Dr Carlo Oppecini” he is professor of Indovedic Psychology and Philosophy at the Bhakti Yoga College, Florida, USA. He also serves as trustee and faculty member of the GBC College for Leadership Development.

Episode 3

This is a specially exciting series as we welcome Hridayananda Das Goswami, who was an eye witness to the Zonal Acarya days of ISKCON and will share with his first hand experiences with us.  About Hridayananda das Goswami  As one of the most senior and respected spiritual leaders of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), Hridayananda das Goswami (Howard J. Resnick, Ph.D.) is an early pioneer and renowned teacher of bhakti yoga in the Western world. At the forefront of contemporary religious dialogue, he is celebrated for his unique ability to adapt the wisdom of ancient Indian philosophy into teachings that are comprehensible for Western audiences.  H.D. Goswami (born November 5, 1948) grew up in Los Angeles, California an began his studies at the University of California, Berkeley where he participated in the political and cultural movements of the late sixties. In 1969, after attending a campus lecture delivered by Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the Founder-Acharya of ISKCON, he began studying the philosophical literature of Prabhupada’s movement, and in September 1969, took up the monastic practice of bhakti-yoga in the Prabhupada’s Berkeley ISKCON center. In 1970, he was formally initiated into the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition. During the next four years, he served as president of bhakti-yoga centers in Gainesville, Florida and Houston, and lectured on university campuses throughout North America. In 1974, Prabhupada asked him to assume responsibility for Latin America and in the next several years, he opened dozens of bhakti-yoga centers in over a dozen countries, and organized the leading publishing house of Indian spiritual literature in Spanish and Portuguese. In 1982, he took responsibility for ISKCON’s many centers in Florida, and in 1987 in Italy and Greece. Around this time, together with a team he formed, he completed Prabhupada’s epic translation and commentary on the Bhāgavata-purāṇa.  ​ Meanwhile, H.D.Goswami had returned to the University of California in 1991 as a student of World Religions. After graduating, he continued his studies at Harvard University, where he received his Ph.D. in Sanskrit & Indian Studies in 1996. Having published articles with Harvard University Press, University of California Press, and Columbia University Press, he recently published his dissertation as the ninety-first volume of the prestigious Harvard Oriental Series. He has taught at the Graduate Theological Union and the University of Florida, and lectured at many dozens of universities in North and South America, Europe, and India.  Fluent in seven languages (English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, French, German, and Sanskrit), Resnick recently completed the literal translation of his popular Complete Guide to the Bhagavad-gītā with Literal Translation, and published Quest for Justice, an explanation of the epic Mahā-bhārata. He is now currently working on a trilogy of the Mahā-bhārata. ​ Around 2013, he founded Krishna West to help facilitate ISKCON’s outreach to Western audiences. Krishna West now has centers throughout the world

Episode 2

The Beginning; It Was a Different ISKCON with Kaunteya Das GBC SPT welcomes you to join the second part of our 5-week series on the GBC History. This series is to encourage devotees to ask any questions pertaining to the GBC body, its conception to inception to execution. About Kaunteya Das Born in Rome, Italy, in 1963; he joined ISKCON in May 1980. After years of full-time book distribution, he moved to India, where he is based for more than twenty-seven years and where he served, among other things, as Gurukula teacher in Mayapur (Bhakti-Sastri, Bhakti-Vaibhava, etc.). He regularly teaches at the ILS (ISKCON Leadership Sanga) and at the GBC College. Kaunteya Das is also a certified mediator and has practiced conflict resolution in several countries. Kaunteya Das has a PhD in Indovedic Psychology and serves as distance-learning professor of Indovedic Philosophy & Psychology at the Bhakti Yoga College (Florida, USA), overseeing students from various continents. (www.bhaktiyogacollege.com) He authored/compiled the following books on congregational development: the Bhakti-vriksha Manual, the Book of Icebreakers and Super Sunday. He has travelled to dozens of countries presenting seminars and workshops on principles and ideas for building vibrant Vaisnava communities. (www.iskconcongregation.com, www.bhaktimarriages.com) At present he is serving as: Co-Minister with HH Jayapataka Maharaja, his diksa-guru – of the ISKCON Congregational Development Ministry Co-Chairman – with HG Gopal Bhatta Prabhu – of the GBC Organizational Development Committee Member of the GBC Strategic Planning Team Member of the Strategic Planning Committee for Mayapur

Episode 1

The Esoteric, Underlying Idea of a "Governing Body" with Kaunteya Das

About Kaunteya Das

Kaunteya Das, a disciple of His Holiness Jayapataka Swami, joined ISKCON in 1980 and is a member of the SPT since 2007. He has served in ISKCON as a book distributor, Gurukul teacher, Deputy GBC member and GBC Zonal Secretary. Kaunteya Das currently serves as co-chair of the GBC Organizational Development Committee and, together with His Holiness Jayapataka Swami, as co-minister of the ISKCON Congregational Development Ministry. He has designed courses on congregational and community development and has presented them in dozens of countries; has compiled books (Bhakti-Vrksa Manual, Super Sunday and The Book of Icebreakers) and has produced twenty issues of the “Congregational Development Journal.” As “Dr Carlo Oppecini” he is professor of Indovedic Psychology and Philosophy at the Bhakti Yoga College, Florida, USA. He also serves as trustee and faculty member of the GBC College for Leadership Development.