Sri Satyanarayan Das Babaji – Haridas Foundation

Story of Sri Satyanarayan Das Babaji

Sri Satyanārāyaṇa Dāsa Bābājī

Dr. Satyanārāyaṇa Dāsa, born on June 9, 1954, is a prominent Indian Gauḍīya Vaisnava scholar and practitioner, renowned for his diverse expertise. Holding a Ph.D. in Sanskrit from Agra University, along with a degree in Indian law, a B. Tech in Mechanical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, and an M. Tech in Industrial Engineering, Dr. Dāsa is a true polymath.

Currently residing in India at the Jiva Institute, which he founded, Dr. Satyanārāyaṇa Dāsa is currently the President of the Haridas Goshala in Vṛndāvan, ensuring the continuation of the cow protection activities so dear to his guru, Haridas Shastri. Following also in the footsteps of his guru in the matter of mastering the various disciplines of Vedic learning, Dr. Satyanārāyaṇa Dāsa has made significant contributions to the field of Gauḍīya Vaisnavism in his own right. His extensive body of work includes numerous books and original papers, with a focus on translations and commentaries on the Sat Sandarbhas. In 2012, he received an award from the President of India, solidifying his stature as a leading living practitioner-scholar of Jīva Gosvāmī.

Early Life and Spiritual Path

Satyanārāyaṇa Dāsa was raised in a village near Faridabad, Haryana. After working in a software company in Miami, he returned to India to delve into the study of Sanskrit. In Vṛndāvan, he encountered Śrī Haridāsa Śāstrī Maharaja, a revered scholar and saint, and founder of the Haridas goshalla. Under Śāstrī Mahārājaa’s guidance, Dr. Dāsa studied the entire range of Gauḍīya Vaisnava literature and immersed himself in the six systems of Indian philosophy, with a particular focus on Nyaya (Indian logic). He underwent formal initiation (dīkṣā) and received Vaishnava sannyās (bābājī veṣa) in the traditional Gauḍīya Vaishnava line of Sri Gadādhara Pandita, the Gadādhara parivāra, from his guru Śrī Haridāsa Śāstrī Maharaj. It was from his guru that the love of Go-sevā was instilled in Dr. Satyanārāyaṇa Dāsa bābājī.

Publications

Dr. Dāsa’s research revolves around the philosophy and theology of the Caitanya School of Vaisnavism. He has authored over 20 books, including original translations and commentaries of the Sat-sandarbhas by Jiva Goswāmī. His contributions extend to various research journals, and he imparts knowledge of Indian scriptures to scholars. His doctoral research specifically focused on Jiva Goswāmī’s Bhakti Sandarbha.

Educational Activities

Dr. Dāsa has lectured at universities globally, including Heidelberg University, University of Tübingen, Zürich University, Mississippi State University, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, and University of Florida, Gainesville, USA. He currently serving as an adjunct faculty member at the Hindu University of America, and regularly teaches academics and scholars in the Jiva Institute or through online courses. Dr. Dāsa still travels to different countries, delivering lectures on Indian scriptures.

The type of service attitude inherent in the practical pursuit of dharma becomes possible

Jiva Vedic Psychology

Drawing from his studies and experience of Indian scriptures, Dr. Dāsa has developed a new subject, Jiva Vedic Psychology. He actively trains psychotherapists at Sandy Pines Hospital, Florida, and Fort Lauderdale Hospital in innovative techniques rooted in Vedic Psychology. His lectures on this subject span various countries, including the US, Poland, Lithuania, France, and Japan.

Jiva Institute

Founded in 1992 by Dr. Satyanārāyaṇa Dāsa under the guidance of his guru Haridas Shastri Maharaj, the Jiva Institute encompasses three divisions: education, health, and culture. As the director of the cultural division, Dr. Dāsa oversees the unique specialization in the study of Gauḍīya Vaishnava literature. The institute attracts scholars worldwide, providing consultation and access to an extensive library. The education and Ayurveda divisions, located in Faridabad, further contribute to the institute’s holistic approach.

In 2016, Dr. Dāsa initiated a five-year course on the Indian schools of philosophy at the Jiva Institute, parts of which are co-taught by eminent professors. The institute runs a Sanskrit school affiliated with Sampoornananda Sanskrit University Benares, and a branch is established at Rādhākuṇda.