Satsvarupa das Goswami (
IASTThe International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration is a popular transliteration scheme that allows a lossless romanization of Indic scripts.-Popularity:IAST is the most popular transliteration scheme for romanization of Sanskrit and Pali...
,
DevanagariDevanagari , also called Nagari , is an abugida alphabet of India and Nepal. It is written from left to right, lacks distinct letter cases, and is recognizable by a distinctive horizontal line running along the tops of the letters that links them together. Devanāgarī is the main script used to...
: ) (born December 6, 1939) is a senior disciple of
A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami PrabhupadaAbhay Charanaravinda Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada was a Vaishnava Hindu teacher and the founder-acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, commonly known as the "Hare Krishna Movement"...
, who founded the
International Society for Krishna ConsciousnessThe International Society for Krishna Consciousness , also known as the Hare Krishna movement, is one of the Hindu Vaishnava religious organizations. It was founded in 1966 in New York City by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada...
(ISKCON), better known in the West as the
Hare KrishnaThe Hare Krishna mantra, also referred to reverentially as the Maha Mantra , is a sixteen-word Vaishnava mantra which first appears in the Kali-Santarana Upanishad, and which from the 16th century rises to importance in the Bhakti movement following the teachings of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.According...
movement. Serving as a writer, poet, and artist, Satsvarupa dasa Goswami is the author of Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada's authorized biography,
Srila Prabhupada-lilamrta. After Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada's death, Satsvarupa dasa Goswami was one of eleven
disciples selectedThe guru-shishya tradition, lineage, or parampara, is a spiritual relationship in traditional Hinduism where teachings are transmitted from a guru to a or chela. Such knowledge, whether it be vedic, agamic artistic, architectural, musical or spiritual, is imparted through the developing...
to become an initiating
guruA guru is one who is regarded as having great knowledge, wisdom and authority in a certain area, and who uses it to guide others . As a principle for the development of consciousness it leads the creation from unreality to reality, from the darkness of ignorance to the light of knowledge...
in ISKCON.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami, (
SanskritSanskrit is a historical Indo-Aryan language, one of the liturgical languages of Hinduism and Buddhism, and one of the 22 official languages of India. It is also declared as a classical language by the government of India....
name pronounced /ˈsaʈsʋɑˌɽʉ:pa̤ dɒ:s ɡɔˈsʋæ:miː/), is one of the first few westerners ordained by Prabhupada in September 1966. He has been since established as a prolific Vaishnava writer and poet. While traveling, lecturing on Krishna consciousness, and instructing disciples worldwide, he has published over 100 books including poems, memoirs, essays, novels, and studies based on the Vaishnava scriptures. In the recent years, he has created hundreds of paintings, drawings, and sculptures that attempt to capture and express his perspective on the culture of Krishna consciousness.
Early years
He was born the eldest of two children to Roman Catholic parents in
New YorkNew York is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous. The state is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
,
Staten IslandStaten Island is a borough of New York City in the southwest part of the city. Staten Island is separated from New Jersey by the Arthur Kill and the Kill Van Kull, and from the rest of New York by New York Bay...
and named Steven.
He was educated initially in
public high schoolA public high school is a secondary school in the United States of America that is financed by tax revenues and other government-collected revenues and administered exclusively by state and local officials. On the other hand, private schools are typically funded by tuition and private donations....
nearby and then enrolled in
Brooklyn CollegeBrooklyn College is a senior college of the City University of New York, located in Brooklyn, New York.Established in 1930 by the New York City Board of Higher Education, the College had its beginnings as the Downtown Brooklyn branches of Hunter College and the City College of New York...
, where he underwent an intellectual revolution putting in question his Catholic values. In the college he read Nietzsche and Dostoevsky and associated with students and professors who were religious skeptics.
In January 1962 he joined the Navy, where he served for two years on board
U.S.S. SaratogaUSS Saratoga , formerly CVB-60 and CVA-60, was a Forrestal class supercarrier. She was the last aircraft carrier in the US Navy to be laid down as an axial-deck ship, and was converted while under construction to an angled deck ship....
, a super-carrier. In his introduction to
With Śrīla Prabhupāda in the Early Days, 1966-1969 he writes: "A few months after the death of President Kennedy, I was honorably discharged, and without visiting my parents on Staten Island, I went directly to the Lower East Side. By then, the Lower East Side was, in my mind and in the minds of my friends, the most mystical place in the world." "I certainly didn’t think some guru was suddenly going to appear and save me. I was too cynical. Yet I was regularly reading versions of the Bhagavad-gita and the
UpanishadThe Upanishads are Hindu scriptures that constitute the core teachings of Vedanta. They do not belong to any particular period of Sanskrit literature: the oldest, such as the Brhadaranyaka and Chandogya Upanishads, date to the late Brahmana period , while the latest were composed in...
s. Ironically, one week before the gift shop at 26 Second Avenue changed into Srila Prabhupada’s temple, I was standing in that very doorway with a Bhagavad-gita in my back pocket, waiting to meet a friend. Somehow we had chosen 26 Second Avenue as a meeting place. At that time, I had no idea what was about to happen."
In July 1966 he met and accepted a spiritual instruction from A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami who registered
ISKCONThe International Society for Krishna Consciousness , also known as the Hare Krishna movement, is one of the Hindu Vaishnava religious organizations. It was founded in 1966 in New York City by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada...
a month later. Prabhupada soon began assigning him typing tasks which Satsvarupa understood "to be yoga". On September 23, 1966 he was ordained and shortly became one of the leading figures of the new Gaudiya Vaishnava movement.
After Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada's death he was one of eleven disciples selected to become an initiating guru in ISKCON. Prof.
Larry ShinnLarry Shinn is president of Berea College, Kentucky. Previous to this appointment he was Vice-President of Academic Affairs, Dean of Humanities and Head of the Religious Studies Department at Bucknell University, USA. Prof...
in his overview of the contemporary state of the Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada's movement confirms this while relating his first meeting with Satsvarupa dasa Goswami:
In a typical initiation ceremony as a guru of
International Society for Krishna ConsciousnessThe International Society for Krishna Consciousness , also known as the Hare Krishna movement, is one of the Hindu Vaishnava religious organizations. It was founded in 1966 in New York City by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada...
he would begin with purification using
achamanaAchamanam is a Hindu purification ritual in which one sips water 3 times from the Brahma-Grantha while reciting different mantras.-Times When Necessary:...
(holy water) and concludes with a sermon on the importance of chanting of the holy names in the life of new initiate.
Personal servant of Prabhupada
In addition to periods of being GBC personal assistant, the brief period between January and July 1974 during which he had the opportunity to act as a personal servant and secretary to the founder of ISKCON, Prabhupada, is noted. During this time his duties included bringing Prabhupada his medicine and toothbrush in the morning, accompanying him on his morning walk, preparing his breakfast and lunch and providing his daily massage. In other words, the tasks were those of a menial servant, while Satsvarupa das Goswami was excited about it. It is noted that the first time Satsvarupa gave Prabhupada a massage it was "an intense spiritual experience" for him:
One should understand how the service given to one's
guruA guru is one who is regarded as having great knowledge, wisdom and authority in a certain area, and who uses it to guide others . As a principle for the development of consciousness it leads the creation from unreality to reality, from the darkness of ignorance to the light of knowledge...
can be of such a value by seeing it in the ritual religious context. The theme of status difference, enriched with the idea of intimacy, coalesce in this simple pattern of devotee massaging the spiritual master's legs and feet in the cultural models expressed in
pujaPūjā is a ceremony of gratitude or a religious ritual performed as an offering to various deities, distinguished persons, or special guests...
and innumerable other Vaishnava contexts. It is noted that he took the posture of a menial servant with evident relish. It is also taken as an example of ideal typical model of the guru-disciple relationship as a disciple should always consider him- or herself a menial servant of the spiritual master.
Literary contribution
As a writer he is following a line of teachers or gurus in his religious tradition. In his review Srivatsa Goswami suggests this view with a reference to the "path of Six Goswamis": Satsvarupa dasa Goswami's writing represents a contemporary variety from commentaries on scriptures to a free flowing poetry and prose.
His writings were translated to over forty languages by
Bhaktivedanta Book TrustThe Bhaktivedanta Book Trust is the world's largest publisher of books concerning Krishna and the philosophy, religion, and culture of the Vedic tradition of India. The BBT especially emphasizes the works of the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition.It was established in 1972 by His Divine Grace A.C...
and Gita Nagari Press. He was also requested by
Bhaktivedanta Book TrustThe Bhaktivedanta Book Trust is the world's largest publisher of books concerning Krishna and the philosophy, religion, and culture of the Vedic tradition of India. The BBT especially emphasizes the works of the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition.It was established in 1972 by His Divine Grace A.C...
to complete a number of works, started by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
Biographies
One of widely read and translated of all his books is
Srila Prabhupada-Lilamrta. It’s a biography of the founder of the
Hare KrishnaThe Hare Krishna mantra, also referred to reverentially as the Maha Mantra , is a sixteen-word Vaishnava mantra which first appears in the Kali-Santarana Upanishad, and which from the 16th century rises to importance in the Bhakti movement following the teachings of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.According...
movement, depicting him through different stages of his life. Written with a help of a large research team for a period of over six years
Srila Prabhupada-lilamrta is based on material given by interviewers and researchers and is based on a system of ascertaining whether a Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada story is authentic. By researching tape recordings of Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada author provided accurate quotes of his statements wherever possible. In this biographical work he would always look for several reliable witnesses, in addition to the one who is recalling a particular event.
Other biographical works, popular among Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada's followers, include
He Lives Forever (1978) (lectures on the significance of Prabhupada’s death) and five volumes of
Prabhupada Nectar (1983-86) (collection of anecdotes told by Prabhupäda’s disciples and compiled by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami) and a number of other titles. These can be described as autobiographical works of more limited scope. His memoir
With Sréla Prabhupada in the Early Days (1991) covers the early years of 1966 – 1969, his book
Life With the Perfect Master (1983) describes the seven-month period in 1974, when he served as Prabhupada’s personal servant.
Scriptural writings
Books included in this category include titles published by
Bhaktivedanta Book TrustThe Bhaktivedanta Book Trust is the world's largest publisher of books concerning Krishna and the philosophy, religion, and culture of the Vedic tradition of India. The BBT especially emphasizes the works of the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition.It was established in 1972 by His Divine Grace A.C...
such as Narada Bhakti Sutra and Mukunda Mala Strotra, both unfinished works of his preceptor, as well as the multi-volume
A Poor Man Reads the Bhagavatam – elaboration on Bhaktivedanta Purports of the
BhagavataBhagavata, with the literal meaning of that which comes from Bhagavan or the Lord, signifies in the context of Hinduism. In this context bhakti has the primary meaning of 'adoration', while Bhagavat means 'the Adorable One', and Bhagavata is a worshiper of the Adorable One...
Purana. From 1966 to current times Satsvarupa Maharaja has been contributing to
Back to Godhead magazine. His articles in the
Back to Godhead often demonstrate variety of legitimate perspectives on different issues and perspectives in spiritual understanding of
Gaudiya VaishnavismGaudiya Vaishnavism is a Vaishnava religious movement founded by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in India in the 16th century. "Gaudiya" refers to with Vaishnavism meaning the worship of Vishnu...
.
Academic presentation
His book published in 1975 during
A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami PrabhupadaAbhay Charanaravinda Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada was a Vaishnava Hindu teacher and the founder-acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, commonly known as the "Hare Krishna Movement"...
's lifetime was
Readings in Vedic Literature: the Tradition Speaks for Itself. Prabhupada was appreciative of the review of the book by the academic circles. In the years to follow Satsvarupa dasa Goswami was supportive of the foundation of
Oxford Centre for Hindu StudiesThe Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies, founded in 1997, is an independent academy for the study of Hindu culture, religion, languages, literature, philosophy, history, arts and society. TheCentre is a Recognised Independent Centre of Oxford University....
and some of his works were published in the ISKCON Communications Journal (ICJ) and reviewed by the academia in ICJ academic journal.
Despite initial anti-cult controversies, the Hare Krishna movement today is viewed by the academics as "the most genuinely Hindu of all the many Indian movements in the West".
Personal writings
A number of his books are employing techniques of free-writing. Diaries and the letters collection from Prabhupada are spanning from the very beginning of the movement in 1966 in the West and provide an account of the ISKCON movement from the very first years to present days. Martin Palmer, Director of the
International Consultancy on Religion, Education and Culture and Religious Adviser to World Wildlife Fund for Nature wrote of his book
Entering the Life of Prayer 'I recommend this book to any who are genuinely wrestling with the implications of faith and with the path of prayer. It deserves to become a spiritual classic.'
Art and poetry
Number of poetical works were published in modern American idiom. He was also published in prominent Haiku magazines, the poetry dedicated to Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada glorification received positive reviews. His paintings and sculpture have also been reviewed by the Washington Times. His works as the self-taught artist are reflective of dedication of his life to the "study of Vedic literature and the teachings of the spiritual tradition".
Other services within ISKCON
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami was a pioneer in the early days of the movement, and is the senior most member of the movement at present. He was appointed as a guru by his perceptor. Satvarupa was also one of the original members appointed as (GBC)
Governing Body CommissionThe Governing Body Commission is the managerial authority of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness . ISKCON's founder, A.C...
created by Prabhupada in 1970 to gradually take on the responsibility of the spiritual management duties in ISKCON. Satsvarupa dasa Goswami was selected a trusty in the will of A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada for the management of ISKCON.
Brief history in ISKCON
Early days
Since ISKCON incorporation in July 1966 at 26 Second Avenue Satsvarupa dasa was engaged as A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada's personal typist and ISKCON secretary for the first year. He is one of few devotees who were maintaining outside jobs to support the temple at the beginning. Later he was managing ISKCON Boston and ISKCON Press, that grew to be later registered as
Bhaktivedanta Book TrustThe Bhaktivedanta Book Trust is the world's largest publisher of books concerning Krishna and the philosophy, religion, and culture of the Vedic tradition of India. The BBT especially emphasizes the works of the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition.It was established in 1972 by His Divine Grace A.C...
. Upon assuming duties of (GBC)
Governing Body CommissionThe Governing Body Commission is the managerial authority of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness . ISKCON's founder, A.C...
in 1970, Satsvarupa was asked by Prabhupada to accept order of
sannyasaSannyasa, is the order of life of the renouncer within Hindu scheme of āśramas, or life stages. It is considered the topmost and final stage of the varna and ashram systems and is traditionally taken by men at or beyond the age of fifty years old or by young monks who wish to dedicate their...
in 1972, along with other GBC members, all of whom were originally married man,
Tamal Krishna GoswamiTamala Krishna Goswami , born as Thomas G. Herzig in New York City, NY United States served on International Society for Krishna Consciousness's Governing Body Commission since its inception in 1970. In January 1972, he accepted the renounced order of life sannyasa in Jaipur...
and Hridayananda dasa Goswami. At the time A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada awarded him and other followers the title
GoswamiGoswami ) is a title often bestowed on people who choose the path of Sannyasa. The sanyasins or disciples of Adi Shankaracharya are also called "Dash Nam", as the title Goswami is further divided into ten groups, viz., Giri, Puri, Bharti, Ban, Aranya, Sagar, Math, Tirth, Yogi and Parwat...
with the single line instruction: Preach, preach, preach! He is sometimes listed among active promoters of ahimsa among other eastern religious teachers.
Preaching and traveling
Main preaching activities by means of traveling sankirtana parties were centered in
United StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. BBT (
Bhaktivedanta Book TrustThe Bhaktivedanta Book Trust is the world's largest publisher of books concerning Krishna and the philosophy, religion, and culture of the Vedic tradition of India. The BBT especially emphasizes the works of the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition.It was established in 1972 by His Divine Grace A.C...
) Library Party headed by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami in mid 1970s was active in establishing distribution network mainly to the Universities of the United States, with some members of the team such as
Bhakti Tirtha SwamiBhakti Tirtha Swami was a leading guru and governing body commissioner of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness . He was the highest-ranking African American in ISKCON and the only African-American Vaishnava Swami in the world...
and
Suhotra DasaSuhotra Swami or Suhotra Dasa, birth name Roger Terrence Crowley, December 11 1950, Holyoke, Massachusetts - April 8 2007, Mayapur, India) was a Hindu Vaishnava author, philosopher and a leading guru in the International Society of Krishna Consciousness . He was a governing body commissioner , an...
traveling as far as
Eastern EuropeEastern Europe is a region lying in the Eastern part of Europe. The term is highly context-dependent and there are "almost as many definitions of Eastern Europe as there are scholars of the region"...
.
In 1974 Satsvarupa dasa Goswami was requested by Prabhupada to join him as traveling GBC servant, replacing previous servant Srutakirti Dasa and travelled with him as a menial servant around the globe.
Managing BTG
From the early days of ISKCON, the Back to Godhead was project required a lot of both contribution and supervision. Satsvarupa dasa Goswami was editor in chief and one of the main contributors to this magazine till 1991, when assisted editor
Jayadvaita SwamiJayadvaita Swami is a Vaishnava swami and a spiritual leader in the International Society for Krishna Consciousness . He is an editor, publisher, teacher and a disciple of A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, founder of ISKCON...
took over as the editor in chief.
Dealing with early 'zonal acarya' days
In accordance with ISKCON GBC
Governing Body CommissionThe Governing Body Commission is the managerial authority of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness . ISKCON's founder, A.C...
resolutions march 1978 Satsvarupa dasa Goswami along with other eleven Governing Body Commissioners assumed duties and services of initiating disciples in assigned zones after the departure of Prabhupada from the planet. Initial preaching areas in the United states and Caribbean's, were expanded with an addition of Ireland in 1982 where he became a zonal acharya. The assumption of equal status to Srila Prabhupada and the title of
acharyaIn Indian religions and society, an acharya is a guide or instructor in religious matters; founder, or leader of a sect; or a title affixed to the names of learned men...
are still surrounded in a controversy. While following the direction of
Governing Body CommissionThe Governing Body Commission is the managerial authority of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness . ISKCON's founder, A.C...
, Satsvarupa dasa Goswami was one of the pioneers who attempted to reform the system, by assuming more humble and appropriate role of a guru as per recorded instructions of the founder-
acharyaIn Indian religions and society, an acharya is a guide or instructor in religious matters; founder, or leader of a sect; or a title affixed to the names of learned men...
. While immitation of Prabhupada was criticised, despite these warnings, specifically by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami, such immitation sometimes resulted in curious side-effects and many devotees adopted Prabhupada’s mannerisms. This remained evident especially among the older American devotees who even now speak with an Indian accent and display many of Prabhupada’s gestures like turning one’s head or moving one’s hand in a certain way.
Later years
In years 1978-1985 he took part in a controversial zonal acarya system in a position of an
AcharyaIn Indian religions and society, an acharya is a guide or instructor in religious matters; founder, or leader of a sect; or a title affixed to the names of learned men...
while initiating reform of a high standard of worship. In 1986-1987 a number of senior members and newly appointed GBC members with the support of Satsvarupa dasa Goswami reformed ISKCON guru system, lowering unprecedented level of worship reserved to initiating gurus in ISKCON. He was called as the "most vocal in the cause of reform" in ISKCON. Satsvarupa dasa Goswami recorded this period in his book
Guru Reform Notebook (1987). Throughout the years that followed, up until the end of the century, new ISKCON guru system was further developed.
In 1999
Governing Body CommissionThe Governing Body Commission is the managerial authority of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness . ISKCON's founder, A.C...
confirmed GBC Emeritus status of his membership of the Governing Body of ISKCON.
His extensive traveling in Europe in 1990s included areas of Scandinavia, Eastern, Central Europe and Italy, but mainly centered in preaching in Ireland and UK.
In following years, his devotional life has included the creation of hundreds of paintings, drawings, and sculptures that capture and express the artist's vision of
KrishnaKrishna is a deity worshipped across many traditions in Hinduism in a variety of perspectives...
consciousness. His latest literary work is centered on his commentary on
BhagavataBhagavata, with the literal meaning of that which comes from Bhagavan or the Lord, signifies in the context of Hinduism. In this context bhakti has the primary meaning of 'adoration', while Bhagavat means 'the Adorable One', and Bhagavata is a worshiper of the Adorable One...
Purana known as
A Poor Man Reads the Bhagavatam.
In 2002, he suffered a physical and emotional collapse from chronic migraine headaches, a condition that required immediate medical intervention and treatment. In consultation with the official governing body of the Krishna consciousness society, he agreed to cease initiating disciples. With the GBC consultation, he retained his
GoswamiGoswami ) is a title often bestowed on people who choose the path of Sannyasa. The sanyasins or disciples of Adi Shankaracharya are also called "Dash Nam", as the title Goswami is further divided into ten groups, viz., Giri, Puri, Bharti, Ban, Aranya, Sagar, Math, Tirth, Yogi and Parwat...
title and continued in the
sannyasaSannyasa, is the order of life of the renouncer within Hindu scheme of āśramas, or life stages. It is considered the topmost and final stage of the varna and ashram systems and is traditionally taken by men at or beyond the age of fifty years old or by young monks who wish to dedicate their...
order and as an ISKCON guru.
Following a period of health recovery, at the age of 68, Satsvarupa dasa Goswami took residence in the East Coast United States where he is engaging in a number of preaching activities, such as regular lecturing and traveling to the holy
dhamas. All of the associated preaching and traveling is complimenting his main service of commenting and answering disciple’s questions on the Bhaktivedanta Purports being published as the volumes of
A Poor Man Reads the Bhagavatam and daily online journal.
Select bibliography
External links
- For Lectures of MaharajParts: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16
See also
- Gaudiya Vaishnavism
Gaudiya Vaishnavism is a Vaishnava religious movement founded by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in India in the 16th century. "Gaudiya" refers to with Vaishnavism meaning the worship of Vishnu...
- Bhaktivedanta Book Trust
The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust is the world's largest publisher of books concerning Krishna and the philosophy, religion, and culture of the Vedic tradition of India. The BBT especially emphasizes the works of the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition.It was established in 1972 by His Divine Grace A.C...
- List of Hindu gurus and saints
Notable Disciples
- Pragosh Das - Governing Body Commission
The Governing Body Commission is the managerial authority of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness . ISKCON's founder, A.C...
er
- Shaunaka Rishi Das
Shaunaka Rishi Das is a Hindu cleric. He is the Director of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies, and an ordained priest in the Vaishnava tradition...
- DirectorA director is the chief executive officer of a university or other educational institution. Equivalent names in different countries are Vice-Chancellor , Chancellor , principal , and University President....
Oxford Centre for Hindu StudiesThe Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies, founded in 1997, is an independent academy for the study of Hindu culture, religion, languages, literature, philosophy, history, arts and society. TheCentre is a Recognised Independent Centre of Oxford University....
- Hridaya Caitanya Dasa
Hrdaya Caitanya Dasa, also known as Herman Janssens, is temple president of Radhadesh, leader and Governing Body Commissioner for Belgian ISKCON, Co-GBC for the Benelux, and a member of the "Executive Committee of the ISKCON GBC Society". He and his wife are disciples of Satsvarupa dasa Goswami...
- Governing Body CommissionThe Governing Body Commission is the managerial authority of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness . ISKCON's founder, A.C...
er
- Yadunandana Swami - Principal
The Principal is the chief executive and the chief academic officer of a university or college in certain parts of the Commonwealth.-Scotland:In Scotland the Principal is appointed by the University Court or governing body of the University and will be chairman or president of the body of academics...
Bhaktivedanta CollegeBhaktivedanta College, located in the rural Ardennes region of Belgium, is a Vaishnava college administered by ISKCON. The current and central programme at Bhaktivedanta College is the study of Vaishnavism. -History:...