Radhika Ramana Dasa

Radhika Ramana Dasa, also known as Dr. Ravi M. Gupta, is a notable Vaishnava scholar and member of the faculty at Bhaktivedanta College. He received his doctorate from Oxford University on the topic of Jiva Goswami's Vedanta, [cite book
author = Gupta, Ravi M.
coauthors =
year = 2007
title = Caitanya Vaisnava Vedanta of Jiva Gosvami
publisher = Routledge
isbn = 0415405483] and has a Post-Doctoral Fellowship from Linacre College. [ [http://www.ochs.org.uk/faculty/alumni.html OCHS alumni] Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies] [ [http://www.iskcon.com/media/8_Scholars.doc Scholars With Expertise on the Hare Krishna Movement] ISKCON News] [ [http://www.bhaktivedantacollege.com/index.php?p=article&g=33 Faculty] Bhaktivedanta College] He grew up in Boise Idaho where his academic accomplishments were documented in the Idaho Statesman. [ [http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=IDSB&s_site=idahostatesman&p_multi=IDSB&p_theme=gannett&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=10BB4B3554F8E968&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM Wise Guys] Idaho Statesman] [ [http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=IDSB&s_site=idahostatesman&p_multi=IDSB&p_theme=gannett&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0F661DA4BB756740&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM Thousands of flowers honor Lord Krishna] Idaho Statesman] Presently, he is a professor of religion at Centre College in Danville, Kentucky. On April 17, 2008, he met with the Pope and presented a gift of an OM symbol to Benedict XVI. He presented the gift on behalf of the Hindu American community. [ [http://news.iskcon.com/node/991/2008-04-18/iskcon_scholar_greets_pope_behalf_of_us_hindus ISKCON Scholar Greets Pope on Behalf Of US Hindus] ISKCON News] [ [http://iskconnews.com/node/963/2008-03-30/iskcon_scholar_to_meet_with_the_pope ISKCON Scholar To Meet With The Pope] ISKCON News] [ [http://iskconnews.com/node/988/2008-04-16/young_vaisnava_scholar_bring_a_gift_pope Young Vaisnava Scholar to Bring a Gift to the Pope] ISKCON News] [ [http://www.idahostatesman.com/newsupdates/story/346748.html A Boise wunderkind turned religion professor will greet Pope: Ravi Gupta will present the pontiff a Hindu symbol as a token of goodwill among faiths.] Idaho Statesman] [ [http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080415/ts_nm/pope_usa_interfaith_dc Despite missteps, pope reaching out to other faiths] Reuters] He is a disciple of Hanumatpreshaka Swami. [ [http://www.bhaktivedantacollege.com/index.php?p=article&g=33 Faculty] Bhaktivedanta College]

Childhood and Early education

He was brought up by his parents Ananta-Rupa Dasa and Arudha Dasi in Boise, Idaho. He have been home schooled together with his brother Gopal with a curriculum based on the Bhagavata Purana, and included English, comprehension skills, critical thinking, debate, and communication. He also took Sanskrit, maths and science as separate subjects.

When enrolled in the local Boise State University, on the first day, the professor of the English department sent Radhika to the honors writing course because all the introductory classes were full. Radhika Raman recalls.

Five years later, at the age of seventeen, he left the University with a degree in philosophy, a BS in mathematics, and the university’s highest honor, a silver medallion.

Post graduate education

He has been assisted in his studies by Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies run by Shaunaka Rishi Dasa. He graduated from Oxford at twenty-two and was one of the youngest-ever students to gain a PhD from this University. From there he moved to the University of Florida, Gainesville to teach for one year. His Oxford doctorate of 2004, "The Caitanya Vaishnava Vedanta of Jiva Gosvami" was published by Routledge press in 2007.

Current career

In 2006 he became the assistant professor of religion at the Centre College, Kentucky where he lives with his wife Amrita Keli. Later he was named Rookie Professor of the year by institution and was chosen to meet Pope Benedict XVI by the interfaith working group in Washington, D.C. on behalf of the whole Hindu American community.

Hee is currently working on two books: one, a collaboration with Krishna Ksetra Das, regarding dance and art and its connection to Bhagavata Purana. His second work is an introduction to Chaitanya Vaishnava philosophy to be published as part of Ashgate publishing World Philosophy Series.

In ISKCON, he serves in the Ministry of Educational Development on the executive board and teaches Sanskrit at the Bhaktivedanta College.

cite web
url=http://news.iskcon.com/node/1314/2008-09-20/radhika_ramana_dasa_leaping_across_oceans
title=Radhika Ramana Dasa: Leaping Across Oceans | ISKCON News
publisher=news.iskcon.com
accessdate=2008-09-20
last=Smulln
first=Madhava]

References