Founder-Acharya
His Divine Grace
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
I was born in 1972 in Weimar, Germany, joined ISKCON in 1991 in St.Petersburg as a second-year student of chemistry at St.Peterburg State University via a college preaching initiative of one ISKCON devotee. I joined the brahmacari asrama in 1991 and lived in various asramas ever since. I received 1stinitiation in 1996 and 2ndin 1999 from HH Mukunda Goswami.
I was engaged as a traveling secretary/translator for HH Niranjana Swami for 20+ years, as a personal servant of HH Mukunda Maharaja for 25 years (and spend 2-3 months serving him annually), as well as ISKCON communications, counseling and preaching to devotees, teaching, Food for Life in war areas, interfaith preaching, arbitration, book distribution, GBC deputy service (since 2000 till present), part-time BBT translator/editor, a member of the National council of Russia, GBC Sastric Advisory Council as a member and secretary (from 2011 till 2018), a former member of the Succession Committee of the GBC and a current associate member of the Guru Services Committee of the GBC.
I am based at the sankirtana brahmacari asrama in Moscow and continue some of the above services. I like listening to Srila Prabhupada’s lectures, reading his books, associating with devotees and discussion his teachings with them to help inspire them in devotional service.
I don’t think much will change in my services if I take sannyasa, but since my gurus and senior devotees want me to, I would like to comply with their wishes and vision for me as an insignificant part of ISKCON mission under their guidance.
I was born in December, 1971, in Magadan-town, which is situated in Northern East of Russia. My parents were not believers, and I also had never thought about a matter of existence deep, though I was always fond of reading. Once, at the magazine called “Science and religion” I met the discussion of some priest, who was trying to approve an existence of God to some famous fantast-writer, who had been denying that fact. So their discussion had been going on in the same way from one magazine publication to next one, from number to number. And I remember I feel upset over the feebleness of that priest under arguments of the atheist. Later, I tried to learn the Bible, but had understood nothing and never tried again. Then, one day, going from school back to home, I distinctly heard a voice talking to me: “Wait, you’re going to get some interesting thing in your life”. For the first time I saw devotees at the lecture of Vrajendra Kumar Prabhu in university I studied in 1992. I was so impressed by the lecture, but had not realized Hare Krishna singing. Then I bought the BG and Krishna Book. When I was reading the BG, I felt, that I had already a deal with it, but didn’t understand where and when. Also, I felt bliss. Regularly visiting the local temple based on a usual flat, I started feel a strong bent for this philosophy and the special way of life. Book distribution was a basic service at that time, and I got involved in it immediately and certainly I liked street Harinamas. I joined the temple in 1994 and got the first initiation from His Grace Prabhavisnu Prabhu in that year. In 1996 I was asked to become TP, and Brahmacharies of our temple united the temple of Khabarovsk city, New Shantipur in 1997. As I was a poor manager in 1998 I was removed from the post of TP on my own will and I joined New Jagannatha Puri temple in Vladivostok city, where I continued to distribute books in the main. In the same year I got the second initiation. In 2008 I became a leader of a travelling sankirtana group. Then in 2015 I was asked to be the region secretary of Khabarovsk city and Republic of Yakutia. Now I am based in Khabarovsk, continue distributing books and preaching at the Nama-Hattas of Russian Far East. Besides, I tried to help to the preaching in Southern Korea, along and with sankirtana group. This year National Council of Russia suggested that I could become a candidate for the acceptance of sannyasa. And I feel and see that the service in this ashram can help me to get more serious eхperiense in my making attempts to serve to Srila Prabhupada’s mission.
Padmanayana Dasa, born Paritos Kumar Dutta on February 23, 1972 in Balasore, India, is a devoted practitioner and teacher within the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). His journey into spiritual life began when he joined ISKCON on August 15, 1994, at the world headquarters in Mayapur. From that moment, his life has been marked by unwavering dedication to the philosophy and practices of Krishna consciousness. Padmanayana Dasa received his first initiation in the year 2000 and second initiation in 2003, both from his spiritual master, Radha Govind Das Goswami. His deep spiritual connection and loyalty to his guru have formed the cornerstone of his devotional life. Over the years, he has grown into an esteemed preacher and educator, contributing significantly to the ISKCON community, particularly through his work at the Mayapur Institute. A major aspiration in his spiritual journey is to enter the sannyasa ashram (renounced order). He has expressed his desire to accept sannyasa within three years, and his candidacy is endorsed by respected ISKCON leaders such as HH Bhakti Purusottama Swami and Bhakti Dhira Damodara Swami, who serve as his mentors and overseeing authorities.
Key Achievements & Milestones-
1994: Joined ISKCON as a brahmachari.- 2000: First initiation by Radha Govind Das Goswami.- 2003: Completed Bhakti Sastri Course; Second initiation.- 2004–2017:
Completed several key training programs at ISKCON Mayapur: - Teachers Training Course 1 (2004)- Leadership & Management Course (2005)- Teachers Training Course 2 (2015)- Spiritual Leadership Training (2015)- Bhakti Sastri Teachers Training (2017)- ISKCON Disciples Course (2021)-
Served as a Brahmachari Council Member, helping lead and train monastic students. His current services include teaching shastric courses and preaching the philosophy of Krishna consciousness. Fluent in Oriya, English, Hindi, and Bengali, he is well-equipped to preach across diverse linguistic regions. He actively conducts seminars, develops curricula, and assists devotees in their spiritual development.
Global Preaching Engagements:-
Padmanayana Dasa has traveled extensively for preaching missions, offering discourses and spiritual guidance in:- USA (Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Dallas, Alachua, Tucson)- Canada (Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Brampton, Milton)- UK, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, Hawaii, and Slovakia His programs are coordinated with temple authorities and congregation leaders, and his travels are fully supported by host communities.
His Divine Grace
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada