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Prabhupada and devoted his life to sharing his
guru’s teachings, distributing his books and serving
at the BBT. In 1982 Devamrita Swami took sannyasa
initiation and in 2002 began serving as an initiating
spiritual master in ISKCON.
His background in the BBT, especially as chief
manager and his difficult years sharing Krishna
consciousness in the former Communist Eastern
Block countries gave him experience in spiritual
leadership that led to his future in the GBC.
A member of ISKCON’s governing body since 2001
he has occupied the responsible posts of GBC vice
chairman and later, chairman. His current regional
responsibilities include Australia and New Zealand,
as well as South Africa, Brazil and the Gita-nagari
Farm Project in Pennsylvania. Beyond those areas
of spiritual leadership, he travels far and wide,
especially in North America, Europe and India.
After completing his studies at Yale
His Holiness Devamrita Swami
Co-Governing Body Commissioner for
ISKCON South Africa
University he felt unable to pursue a
materialistic life, but his Dean firmly
asserted, “You are a Yale man; you will
influence the world.”
Born in New York, Devamrita Swami started life in
an environment conducive to the contemplation
of the divine. After completing his studies at Yale
University he felt unable to pursue a materialistic
life, but his Dean firmly asserted, “You are a Yale
man; you will influence the world.” Shortly
afterwards Devamrita Swami received Srila
Prabhupada’s books and made a thorough study
of them before joining the temple in 1972.
Devamrita Swami took initiation in 1974 from Srila
An author published by the BBT, he has to date
written Searching for Vedic India and Perfect
Escape. One of Devamrita Swami’s areas of
expertise is to facilitate contemporary settings for
Western audiences to approach bhakti yoga. He
enjoys challenging students and professionals to
penetrate the veil of religious beliefs/myths and
advocates
spiritually
based
economics,
sustainability and environmentalism.