H.H. VEDAVYAS SWAMI MAHARAJ

DESCRIPTION

His Holiness Vedavyasapriya Swami Maharaja was born into a traditional Brahmana family in Gujarat, India, and showed early spiritual inclinations, receiving his brahminical initiation at age seven. After moving with his family to East Africa in the 1950s, he later relocated to the U.S. in 1971, where he met ISKCON devotees and became inspired by Srila Prabhupada’s teachings. Though trained as a research biochemist, his heart was drawn to spiritual life. By 1976, he was actively involved in ISKCON’s New York temple and received initiation from Srila Prabhupada. His strong preaching spirit led him to inspire others and share Krishna consciousness widely. In the late '70s and early '80s, Maharaja pioneered the worship of Sri Nathji in the West, guiding deities to their current home in New Vrindaban. He served ISKCON through various leadership roles in both the U.S. and India, including temple president, regional secretary, and council chairman. Since 1998, he has served as a diksha guru, offering spiritual guidance to devotees worldwide. Now based in Vrindavan, free from administrative responsibilities, he focuses entirely on preaching, teaching, and traveling with his beloved deities, Sri Sri Radha Syamasundara, who have accompanied him for decades in his heartfelt service to Srila Prabhupada’s mission.