By Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Swami
By the inconceivable mercy of Lord Sri Krishna, I met His Divine Grace Sri Srimad A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the Founder-Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in early 1970, in New Dwaraka (Los Angeles, U.S. A.) while I was working for my Ph. D. in Physical Organic Chemistry at the University of California, Irvine. I felt that this was my greatest fortune and in my heart I accepted him as my spiritual master immediately. I was formally initiated as his disciple in 1971.
Srila Prabhupada kindly gave several instructions to this insignificant servant during a span of eight years (1970-1977) on how to present the science and philosophy of Krishna Consciousness to the leaders and intellectuals of the world in general and specifically to the scientists. I received many training sessions from him in the form of morning walk conversations during which he would mercifully engage me in profound debates on science and spirituality. Some of these conversations have been published by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (BBT) in the book 'Life Comes From Life'. In my humble opinion, this book is one of the greatest critiques on modern life sciences to date.
Srila Prabhupada also instructed that I should build a temple in Manipur which should be a center for the cultivation of, in the words of Srila Prabhupada, 'Scientific Vaishnava Culture'. Sri Sri Radha-Krishnachandra Manimandir, the centerpiece of the University of Bhagavata Culture is a humble attempt to execute this divine order.
I humbly offer my deep gratitude to all the noble Vaishnava devotees of the Lord and many well-wishing friends from around the world for their generous support of this project. I am also very grateful for the hard work and long hours put in by my many assistants and all those who worked tirelessly with so much love and dedication, sacrificing all their personal comforts for the sake of this project. Without their help this project would never have been possible. I am especially grateful for the selfless service of Sri D. Upasni, the well-known architect of Mumbai, who gave his professional services free of any charges. I sincerely pray for the unlimited blessings of Sri Sri Radha Krishnachandra upon all of them eternally.
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THE PURPOSE OF KNOLEDGE

Sri Srimad A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Founder-Acharya of the University of Bhagavata Culture
idam hi pumsas tapasah srutasya va
svistasya suktasya ca buddhi-dattayoh
avicyuto 'rthah kavibhir nirùpito
yad-uttamasloka-gunànuvarnanam
- SB 1:5:22
"Learned circles have positively concluded that the infallible purpose of the
advancement of knowledge, namely austerities, study of the Vedas, sacrifice,
chanting of hymns and charity, culminates in the transcendental descriptions of the
Lord, who is defined in choice poetry."

Human intellect is developed for advancement of learning in art, science, philosophy, physics, chemistry, psychology, economics, politics, etc. By culture of such knowledge the human society can attain perfection of life. This perfection of life culminates in the realization of the Supreme Being, Visnu. The sruti therefore directs that those who are actually advanced in learning should aspire for the service of Lord Visnu. Unfortunately persons who are enamored by the external beauty of visnu-màyà do not understand that culmination of perfection or self-realization depends on Visnu. Visnu-màya means sense enjoyment, which is transient and miserable. Those who are entrapped by visnu-mayà utilize advancement of knowledge for sense enjoyment. Sri Nàrada Muni has explained that all paraphernalia of the cosmic universe is but an emanation from the Lord out of His different energies because the Lord has set in motion, by His inconceivable energy, the actions and reactions of the created manifestation. They have come to be out of His energy, they rest on His energy, and after annihilation they merge into Him. Nothing is, therefore, different from Him, but at the same time the Lord is always different from them.
When advancement of knowledge is applied in the service of the Lord, the whole process becomes absolute. The Personality of Godhead and His transcendental name, fame, glory, etc., are all nondifferent from Him. Therefore, all the sages and devotees of the Lord have recommended that the subject matter of art, science, philosophy, physics, chemistry, psychology and all other branches of knowledge should be wholly and solely applied in the service of the Lord. Art, literature, poetry, painting, etc., may be used in glorifying the Lord. The fiction writers, poets and celebrated litterateurs are generally engaged in writing of sensuous subjects, but if they turn towards the service of the Lord they can describe the transcendental pastimes of the Lord. Valmìki was a great poet, and similarly Vyàsadeva is a great writer, and both of them have absolutely engaged themselves in delineating the transcendental activities of the Lord and by doing so have become immortal. Similarly, science and philosophy also should be applied in the service of the Lord. There is no use presenting dry speculative theories for sense gratification philosophy and science should be engaged to establish the glory of the Lord. Advanced people are eager to understand the Absolute Truth through the medium of science, and therefore a great scientist should endeavor to prove the existence of the Lord on a scientific basis. Similarly, philosophical speculations should be utilized to establish the Supreme Truth as sentient and all-powerful. Similarly, all other branches of knowledge should always be engaged in the service of the Lord. In the Bhagavad-gità also the same is affirmed. All "knowledge" not engaged in the service of the Lord is but nescience. Real utilization of advanced knowledge is to establish the glories of the Lord, and that is the real import. Scientific knowledge engaged in the service of the Lord and all similar activities are all factually hari-kirtana, or glorification of the Lord.



The University of Bhàgavata Culture
A Millennial Vision and Beyond
by Bhaktisvarupa Dàmodara Swàmì
Rector

The University of Bhàgavata Culture (UBC) in Imphal, Manipur, India, is a center for learning about the deeper meaning of life and the universe. The concept of this university is woven around the transcendental teachings of Srimad Bhagavad-gìtà and Srimad Bhàgavatam (Bhàgavata Puràna), the ripened fruit of the tree of Vedic literatures.

"This Bhàgavata Puràna is as brìlliant as the sun, and it has arisen just after the departure of Lord Krsna to His own abode, accompanied by religion, knowledge, etc. Persons who have lost their vision due to the dense darkness of ignorance in the age of Kali shall get light from this Puràna."
- S.B. 1:3:43
Srimad Bhagavatam, First Canto, Chapter Three, Verse 43 Srimad Bhagavatam is the great book of encyclopedic knowledge about 'bhagavàn' (God) and the 'bhàgavatas' (His perfected devotees)
The University of Bhàgavata Culture is the first of its kind in the world. Sri Sri Ràdhà-Krsnacandra Manimandir is the centerpiece of the University complex. Guided by the vision of Srila Prabhupàda, the UBC will serve as a catalyst for presenting Bhàgavata Culture globally in the 21st century and beyond for the welfare of humanity.
The Sanskrit word 'Bhàgavata' rneans 'pertaining to Bhagavàn, the Supreme Lord'. This comes from the root word 'bhaga', which means 'opulence'. The Supreme Being who possesses all opulences in full is known as 'bhagavàn' and Bhàgavata Culture is the art of dovetailing all human endeavours in the service of the Lord. This is a universal and entirely non-sectarian conception as explained in the Srimad Bhagavatam (SB1:5:22), and is described concisely by His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupàda in the preceding article.
Bhàgavata Culture further teaches that whatever talent, ability or skill we may possess can be used in the glorification of the Supreme Lord. For example, a mathematician can sing the glories of the Lord with his mathematical talent. Similarly a poet can sing the glories of the Lord through his choicest poetical expression, and religionists of various traditions can sing the glories of the Lord with their own religious experiences. This is the import of 'yad-uttamasloka-gunànuvarnanam', and this is the real purpose of the University of Bhàgavata Culture.
The main focus of the University will be on the cultivation of moral and spiritual values through applied spiritual science and technology as realized by the Bhàgavata sages. Some of the departments of the University will be:

1. College of Bhàgavata Science and Philosophy;

2. Bhaktivedànta Institute of Science and Religion;

3. College of Vedànta and Science;

4. College of Sankìrtana;

5. School of Inter-religious Studies;

6. Acintya Bhedàbheda Tattva Niketan (Caitanya School of Vaisnava Vedànta Philosophy);

7. Rahganiketan School of Performing Arts;

8. Bhàgavata School of Drama;

9. Chitrangadà Women's College of Vocational Training;

10. School of Vaisnava Theology;

11. School of Theo-Biology & Bio-Medical Ethics;

12. Babhruvàhana School of Martial Arts and Vedic Administration;

13. School of Languages (Sanskrit etc.);

14. Dhanvantri School of Medicine (Ayurvedic, Naturopathy. & Yogic Science Systems of Healthcare);

15. School of Bhàgavata Arts and Crafts (Sculptures, murtìs, instruments, etc.);

16. School of Vedic Mantra Recitation;

17. Varnàsrama College (College of Brahmacàri / Grhastha, etc.);

18. Veda Vyàsa Library.

The following few illustrations will convey the relevance of Bhàgavata Culture in the modern world:

Bhàgavata Culture and the Peace Formula
In recent times, all thinking individuals have been extremely concerned about global peace. For instance, under the patronage of His Holiness Pope John Paul II, the Vatican organized a World Interreligious Assembly in October 1999 involving many religious leaders from around the globe. The focus of this dialogue was on promoting interreligious understanding and world peace and harmony. Similarly, in December 1999, the Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions met in Capetown, South Africa. About 7,000 religious leaders and scholars from around the world participated in the conference. The objective of this conference was also to promote interreligious harmony and peace. Then again in June 2000, the world's religious leaders met in Pittsburgh (U.S.A.), the city of bridges, to sign the United Religions Initiative Charter, which specifically aims to create cultures of peace and forums for dialogue to end religiously motivated violence, which is apparently the main cause for wars globally. In September 2000 a Millennium Summit was organized by the United Nations at their headquarters in New York. This was reportedly the biggest gathering of the leaders of the world ever, and it culminated with the historic signing of the 'United Nations Millennium Declaration' which aims at strengthening 'Peace, Development and Human Rights'. These are glaring examples that the whole world is keenly anxious for peace. The University of Bhàgavata Culture can contribute greatly in educating the world in the search for peace. There is a profound analysis of the fundamental peace formula in the Bhagavad-gità along with the practical techniques of how to realize these principles:

nàsti buddhir ayuktasya
na càyuktasya bhàvanà
na càbhàvayatah sàntir
asàntasya kutah sukham

"One who is not connected with the Supreme [in Krsna (God) consciousness] can have neither transcendental intelligence nor a steady mind, without which there is no possibility of peace. And how can there be any happiness without peace?"
- Bhagavad-gità 2:66
vìhàya kàmàn yak sarvàn
pumàms carati nihsprhah
nirmamo nirahankàrah
sa santim adhigacchati

"A person who has given up all desires for sense gratification, who lives free from material desires, who has given up all sense of proprietorship and is devoid of false egohe alone can attain real peace."
- Bhagavad-gità 2:71

bhoktaram yajna-tapasam
sarva-loka-mahesvaram
suhrdam sarva-bhùtànàm
jnàtvà màm santim rcchati

"A person in full consciousness of Me (Lord Krsna or God), knowing Me to be the ultimate beneficiary of all sacrifices and austerities, the Supreme Lord of all planets and demigods, and the benefactor and well-wisher of all living entities, attains peace from the pangs of material miseries."
- Bhagavad-gltà 5:29
Bhàgavata philosophy strongly emphasizes that any attempt for peace based on materialism will be a failure. In other words, spiritual knowledge of the self, of the Supreme Being, and of the relationship between the two, will be the foundation of world peace. If each individual is unable to attain peace within himself or herself, then achieving collective peace will remain but an empty dream.

Bhàgavata Philosophy and the Solution of Complex Problems

The Bhàgavata philosophy of Acintya-Bhedàbheda Tattva (the Philosophy of Simultaneous Oneness and Difference of Sri Caitanya school of philosophy) can contribute significantly to the solution of complex material problems in science and philosophy such as the mind-body / mind-brain problem, and even quantum measurement problems and the interface between life and matter.
Sri Sri Ràdhà-Krsnacandra Manimandir, which has been inaugurated today (November 11, 2000) is the centerpiece of the University of Bhàgavata Culture. Some of the departments of the university have been functioning for the past few years. Ranganiketan College of Performing Arts has been presenting Bhàgavata Culture through various art forms internationally since 1990, and the Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences Hospital under the Dhanvantri School of Medicine, which is beautifully located in the serene, picturesque Langol foothills of Manipur, has been functioning for four years now. Other elements of the University will be developed in phases.
The Bhàgavata school elaborately describes that each living entity is a spirit soul, a particle of conscious, transcendental, non-material life-force that is eternal and distinct from material particles, atoms and electrons, etc. In other words, the conscious self is different from the material body. This paradigm forms the basis of Bhàgavata philosophy. In this paradigm, the human form of life is a special facility for cultivating spiritual qualities such as non-violence, truthfulness, tolerance, compassion and so on (Bhagavad-gltà 16:1-3), which make the human life distinct from other forms of life. However, these qualities are generally neglected in modern education because of the strong influence of the mechanistic conception of life. Thus, there is a great need to introduce Bhàgavata Culture in modern education. When the masses of the population acquire such an education, we can then think of attaining peace and co-operation among all.
Many of the world's current problems such as drug addiction among youths, health hazard such as AIDS, rising crime rates and many other social ills can be overcome by learning and practicing Bhàgavata Culture. This University is a humble attempt to impart this knowledge to sincere students who are seeking the deeper meaning of life. Everyone is most warmly welcome to participate in the development of this University.
The whole world at present is very concerned about the rapid deterioration of human values despite tremendous scientific and technological advancement. The spectacular expansion of science and technology and its intrusion into every sphere of daily life has very deeply covered the moral and ethical vision of humankind almost to the point of spiritual blindness. Blinded by educational systems that totally exclude spiritual values, the whole world loses sight of the higher objectives of human existence.
Many different forms of materialism, scientific and others are destroying the morals and ethics of human life as well as the earth's ecology. Bhàgavata Culture, or Bhàgavata-ism or Sanàtana Dharma, will undoubtedly remove all these misgivings and human civilization will be put in the right gear. Bhàgavata-ism will uplift every human soul to the highest spiritual zenith thus bringing self-enlightment, enhancement of human values and God-realization. As we enter the next century (21<sup>st century) the time has arrived to globalize Bhàgavata Culture or Bhagvata-ism for the welfare of not only humanity but for all living beings. In this way Global ethics will be achieved and Global peace can be conceived.
This University is a gift of His Divine Grace Sri Srimad A C Bhaktivedànta Swàmi Prabhupàda to humanity. It was His Divine Grace who could see where modern science had gone wrong in avoiding the spiritual study of the nature of consciousness and it was his sincere effort that has now brought many scientists to seriously take up the study of the scientific teachings of the Bhàgavatam.

For more information, please write to:
University of Bhàgavata Culture secretariat,
RC/8, Raghunathpur, 4th Floor, Manasi Manjil Apartments,
VIP Road, Calcutta - 700 059, India;
Tel./Fax: +91-33-550 9018 or email:
Websites:



The Logo of the University of Bhàgavata Culture

Bhàgavata (bhà-ga-va-ta) pertaining to God, Bhagavan Srì Krishna (Supreme Personality of Godhead); indicating the Book Bhàgavata (holy scripture) or the Person Bhàgavata (saint or holy person)

The logo contains the book Srimad Bhàgavatam (Bhàgavata Puràna):

* "This Bhàgavata Puràna is as brìlliant as the sun, and it has arisen just after the departure of Lord Krsna to His own abode, accompanied by religion, knowledge, etc. Persons who have lost their vision due to the dense darkness of ignorance in the age of Kali shall get light from this Puràna."
- Srimad Bhàgavatam: First Canto, Chapter 3, Text 43

* Arced above the sun in the logo is the sanskrit phrase: " Satyam Param Dhimahi " which literally translates as: " I do meditate upon the Supreme Assolute Truth (Sri Krsna) "
- Srimad Bhàgavatam: First Canto, Chapter 1, Text 1

* Arced beneath the Srimad Bhàgavatam in the logo is the sanskrit phrase: "Purana-arkah adhuna-uditah" which literally translates as: " The Bhàgavata Puràna is as brilliant as the sun and it has arìsen just after the departure of Lord Krsna "
- Srimad Bhàgavatam: First Canto, Chapter 1, Text

* The background of the logo is a lotus flower. Just as the lotus flower opens to the light of the sun, mankind will blossom under the guidance of the Bhàgavata Puràna. The lotus flower has 24 petals which represent the 24 elements of Sànkhya philosophy as described in the Bhàgavata Puràna.</sup>