H.G. Rasaraja Prabhu: Bridging Science and Spirituality in Service to ISKCON: H.G. Rasaraja Prabhu (also known as Prof. Ravi Gomatam) stands as a remarkable figure within ISKCON, exemplifying the harmonious integration of scientific inquiry and spiritual devotion. As a direct disciple of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada and current director of the Bhaktivedanta Institute (BI), he has dedicated over three decades to advancing consciousness studies while maintaining deep spiritual practices. His extensive academic background, including a Ph.D. in quantum mechanics, combined with his role as an ordained Vaishnava monk, has positioned him uniquely to bridge the worlds of modern science and ancient Vedic wisdom. Through his leadership, research, teaching, and widespread presence via digital platforms, Rasaraja Dasa continues to inspire thousands worldwide with his profound insights into the Srimad Bhagavatam and other Vedic texts.
Early Life and Educational Journey
Rasaraja Dasa was born in Chennai, India, where he began his academic journey that would eventually span both scientific and spiritual domains. His formal education reveals a strong foundation in technical disciplines, beginning with his Bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Annamalai University, India. He further enhanced his technical expertise by earning a Master’s degree in Electronics Engineering from BITS, Pilani, India in 1974.
Before fully dedicating himself to academic and spiritual pursuits, Rasaraja Dasa established himself as a respected professional in the technology sector. After completing his master’s degree, he moved to the United States where he worked as a freelance software specialist for several Fortune-500 companies including General Motors, Ford, Chrysler, Burroughs, and IBM. His expertise was particularly valuable in specialized areas such as operating system design, data communications, and very-large database design, demonstrating his exceptional technical capabilities early in his career.
His quest for deeper understanding eventually led him to pursue a Ph.D. in the Foundations of Quantum Mechanics from the Department of Philosophy at Mumbai University, which he completed in 1998. This unique educational path, combining engineering, computer science, and theoretical physics with philosophy, prepared him for his future role bridging scientific and spiritual worldviews.
Spiritual Journey and Connection to ISKCON
Rasaraja Dasa’s spiritual journey paralleled his academic pursuits, eventually becoming the defining feature of his life’s work. For more than thirty years, he has been an ordained Vaishnava monk in the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition. Most significantly, he is a direct disciple of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada, the founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) and the Bhaktivedanta Institute.
As a dedicated follower in the Brahma Madhva Gaudiya Sampradaya, he stands in an ancient lineage of spiritual teachers tracing back to Lord Krishna himself through various acharyas (spiritual masters) including Lord Brahma, Narada, Vyasa, Madhva, and Lord Chaitanya. This disciplic succession (parampara) forms the authentic channel through which Vedic knowledge has been preserved and transmitted throughout millennia.
His commitment to ISKCON’s mission has been unwavering, serving as a steadfast promoter of Srila Prabhupada’s vision of integrating scientific understanding with spiritual wisdom. Through this service, he exemplifies the principles of bhakti yoga while maintaining rigorous intellectual inquiry-a combination that makes his contributions to both science and spirituality particularly valuable.
Academic and Scientific Contributions
Rasaraja Dasa’s academic work represents a groundbreaking approach to integrating consciousness studies with mainstream science. His research focuses primarily on the foundations of quantum mechanics, where he is developing innovative ideas such as “Objective, Semantic Information” and a unique notion of “Relational Properties”. Unlike conventional approaches to quantum mechanics that remain strictly in the microscopic realm, he is pioneering work in macroscopic quantum mechanics (MQM) that could potentially revolutionize our understanding of physical reality.
His interdisciplinary research interests span multiple fields, including foundations of artificial intelligence, philosophy of science, philosophy of mathematics, consciousness studies, philosophy of language, and information science. This broad spectrum of interests allows him to approach complex questions about reality from multiple angles, creating unique synthesis across traditionally separate domains.
One of his most significant academic achievements was conceiving and launching the world’s first M.S./Ph.D. programs in “consciousness studies” in 1997, in collaboration with the Birla Institute of Technology & Science (BITS), Pilani. This pioneering program reconceptualized consciousness studies as a new way to study matter itself, providing a framework for bringing spiritual concepts into conversation with conventional science.
Leadership at Bhaktivedanta Institute
As the director of the Bhaktivedanta Institute (BI) in both Mumbai and Berkeley, Rasaraja Dasa has been instrumental in fulfilling Srila Prabhupada’s vision of creating a scientific and academic wing for ISKCON. The institute was established in 1974 by Srila Prabhupada himself, who emphasized its importance by stating that “Bhaktivedanta Institute’s preaching work is the most important preaching arm of ISKCON”.
Under his leadership, the institute has flourished as a center for consciousness research incorporating quantum physics, neuroscience, Vaishnava Vedanta philosophy, studies on life’s origins, bioethics, and philosophy of science. The institute regularly conducts international conferences on science and religion, creating valuable dialogue between scientists and religious leaders worldwide.
Rasaraja Dasa has also been pivotal in establishing the Institute of Semantic Information Sciences and Technology (InSIST) in Mumbai, which further extends the reach of consciousness studies and interdisciplinary research. His administrative capabilities and vision have enabled these institutions to serve as bridges between traditional academic research and Vedic spiritual wisdom.
His role as “Sripada Maharaja’s very able assistant” in developing the M.S./Ph.D. program in Consciousness Studies at BI Mumbai demonstrates his commitment to creating institutional frameworks for advancing knowledge that honors both scientific and spiritual dimensions of reality. This program, developed in collaboration with BITS, Pilani, represents a significant achievement in establishing consciousness studies as a legitimate academic field.
Teaching and Public Outreach
Beyond his research and administrative responsibilities, Rasaraja Dasa is deeply committed to teaching and public education. He has lectured extensively in universities throughout the world on both scientific and religious topics. His ability to communicate complex ideas across these domains makes him a sought-after speaker in diverse academic and spiritual settings.
As a visiting professor at prestigious institutions, including the Indian Council of Philosophical Research (ICPR) under India’s Ministry of Human Resource Development, he has had the opportunity to influence academic discourse at the highest levels. Previously, he served as an adjunct professor at BITS, Pilani for over two decades (1993-2015), further demonstrating his commitment to formal education.
His teaching extends beyond traditional academic settings into ISKCON temples worldwide, where he regularly provides classes on the Srimad Bhagavatam and other Vedic texts. These teachings demonstrate his deep understanding of ancient scriptures and his ability to make them relevant to contemporary audiences, including those with scientific backgrounds.
Social Media Presence and Spiritual Teachings
Embracing modern communications technology, Rasaraja Dasa maintains an active presence across digital platforms, most notably through his YouTube channel where he shares Bhagavatam lectures and other spiritual discourses. His recent lecture on Srimad Bhagavatam 10.85.50 at ISKCON Juhu Mumbai on May 2, 2025, exemplifies his ongoing commitment to spiritual education.
His YouTube channel features numerous recordings of his lectures at various ISKCON temples, including Bengaluru Temple Lectures and his “Nityam Bhagavata Sevaya” series. These recordings make his spiritual teachings accessible to a global audience, allowing devotees worldwide to benefit from his insights regardless of geographical limitations.
The “Nityam Bhagavata-sevaya E-Magazine,” a fortnightly electronic publication focused on serving the Srimad Bhagavatam, represents another dimension of his outreach efforts. This platform further extends the reach of his teachings and contributes to ISKCON’s broader mission of spiritual education.
Through these various media channels, Rasaraja Dasa continues the tradition of bhakti-yoga in the modern age, adapting ancient practices of guru-disciple knowledge transmission to contemporary technological contexts while maintaining the authenticity and depth of the spiritual teachings.
A Life of Integrated Service
H.G. Rasaraja Dasa’s life and work represent a remarkable synthesis of scientific inquiry and spiritual devotion. As a direct disciple of Srila Prabhupada, he has faithfully carried forward his spiritual master’s vision of presenting Krishna Consciousness to the intellectual and scientific communities worldwide. His contributions to both academia and ISKCON demonstrate how spiritual wisdom and scientific investigation can complement one another.
Through his leadership at the Bhaktivedanta Institute, his pioneering work in consciousness studies, his extensive teaching activities, and his embrace of digital media for spiritual outreach, Rasaraja Dasa embodies the ideal of a 21st-century spiritual scientist. His life serves as an inspiration for anyone seeking to integrate intellectual pursuits with spiritual practice, showing that these domains need not be in conflict but can instead mutually enrich one another.
As he continues to lecture, teach, and write, his influence extends far beyond institutional boundaries, touching the lives of students, devotees, and seekers worldwide. The legacy he is building will undoubtedly continue to shape both scientific discourse and spiritual practice for generations to come, furthering Srila Prabhupada’s mission in ways that respond to the unique challenges and opportunities of our time.
H.G. Rasaraja Prabhu: Bridging Science and Spirituality in Service to ISKCON: H.G. Rasaraja Prabhu (also known as Prof. Ravi Gomatam) stands as a remarkable figure within ISKCON, exemplifying the harmonious integration of scientific inquiry and spiritual devotion. As a direct disciple of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada and current director of the Bhaktivedanta Institute (BI), he has dedicated over three decades to advancing consciousness studies while maintaining deep spiritual practices. His extensive academic background, including a Ph.D. in quantum mechanics, combined with his role as an ordained Vaishnava monk, has positioned him uniquely to bridge the worlds of modern science and ancient Vedic wisdom. Through his leadership, research, teaching, and widespread presence via digital platforms, Rasaraja Dasa continues to inspire thousands worldwide with his profound insights into the Srimad Bhagavatam and other Vedic texts.
Early Life and Educational Journey
Rasaraja Dasa was born in Chennai, India, where he began his academic journey that would eventually span both scientific and spiritual domains. His formal education reveals a strong foundation in technical disciplines, beginning with his Bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Annamalai University, India. He further enhanced his technical expertise by earning a Master’s degree in Electronics Engineering from BITS, Pilani, India in 1974.
Before fully dedicating himself to academic and spiritual pursuits, Rasaraja Dasa established himself as a respected professional in the technology sector. After completing his master’s degree, he moved to the United States where he worked as a freelance software specialist for several Fortune-500 companies including General Motors, Ford, Chrysler, Burroughs, and IBM. His expertise was particularly valuable in specialized areas such as operating system design, data communications, and very-large database design, demonstrating his exceptional technical capabilities early in his career.
His quest for deeper understanding eventually led him to pursue a Ph.D. in the Foundations of Quantum Mechanics from the Department of Philosophy at Mumbai University, which he completed in 1998. This unique educational path, combining engineering, computer science, and theoretical physics with philosophy, prepared him for his future role bridging scientific and spiritual worldviews.
Spiritual Journey and Connection to ISKCON
Rasaraja Dasa’s spiritual journey paralleled his academic pursuits, eventually becoming the defining feature of his life’s work. For more than thirty years, he has been an ordained Vaishnava monk in the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition. Most significantly, he is a direct disciple of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada, the founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) and the Bhaktivedanta Institute.
As a dedicated follower in the Brahma Madhva Gaudiya Sampradaya, he stands in an ancient lineage of spiritual teachers tracing back to Lord Krishna himself through various acharyas (spiritual masters) including Lord Brahma, Narada, Vyasa, Madhva, and Lord Chaitanya. This disciplic succession (parampara) forms the authentic channel through which Vedic knowledge has been preserved and transmitted throughout millennia.
His commitment to ISKCON’s mission has been unwavering, serving as a steadfast promoter of Srila Prabhupada’s vision of integrating scientific understanding with spiritual wisdom. Through this service, he exemplifies the principles of bhakti yoga while maintaining rigorous intellectual inquiry-a combination that makes his contributions to both science and spirituality particularly valuable.
Academic and Scientific Contributions
Rasaraja Dasa’s academic work represents a groundbreaking approach to integrating consciousness studies with mainstream science. His research focuses primarily on the foundations of quantum mechanics, where he is developing innovative ideas such as “Objective, Semantic Information” and a unique notion of “Relational Properties”. Unlike conventional approaches to quantum mechanics that remain strictly in the microscopic realm, he is pioneering work in macroscopic quantum mechanics (MQM) that could potentially revolutionize our understanding of physical reality.
His interdisciplinary research interests span multiple fields, including foundations of artificial intelligence, philosophy of science, philosophy of mathematics, consciousness studies, philosophy of language, and information science. This broad spectrum of interests allows him to approach complex questions about reality from multiple angles, creating unique synthesis across traditionally separate domains.
One of his most significant academic achievements was conceiving and launching the world’s first M.S./Ph.D. programs in “consciousness studies” in 1997, in collaboration with the Birla Institute of Technology & Science (BITS), Pilani. This pioneering program reconceptualized consciousness studies as a new way to study matter itself, providing a framework for bringing spiritual concepts into conversation with conventional science.
Leadership at Bhaktivedanta Institute
As the director of the Bhaktivedanta Institute (BI) in both Mumbai and Berkeley, Rasaraja Dasa has been instrumental in fulfilling Srila Prabhupada’s vision of creating a scientific and academic wing for ISKCON. The institute was established in 1974 by Srila Prabhupada himself, who emphasized its importance by stating that “Bhaktivedanta Institute’s preaching work is the most important preaching arm of ISKCON”.
Under his leadership, the institute has flourished as a center for consciousness research incorporating quantum physics, neuroscience, Vaishnava Vedanta philosophy, studies on life’s origins, bioethics, and philosophy of science. The institute regularly conducts international conferences on science and religion, creating valuable dialogue between scientists and religious leaders worldwide.
Rasaraja Dasa has also been pivotal in establishing the Institute of Semantic Information Sciences and Technology (InSIST) in Mumbai, which further extends the reach of consciousness studies and interdisciplinary research. His administrative capabilities and vision have enabled these institutions to serve as bridges between traditional academic research and Vedic spiritual wisdom.
His role as “Sripada Maharaja’s very able assistant” in developing the M.S./Ph.D. program in Consciousness Studies at BI Mumbai demonstrates his commitment to creating institutional frameworks for advancing knowledge that honors both scientific and spiritual dimensions of reality. This program, developed in collaboration with BITS, Pilani, represents a significant achievement in establishing consciousness studies as a legitimate academic field.
Teaching and Public Outreach
Beyond his research and administrative responsibilities, Rasaraja Dasa is deeply committed to teaching and public education. He has lectured extensively in universities throughout the world on both scientific and religious topics. His ability to communicate complex ideas across these domains makes him a sought-after speaker in diverse academic and spiritual settings.
As a visiting professor at prestigious institutions, including the Indian Council of Philosophical Research (ICPR) under India’s Ministry of Human Resource Development, he has had the opportunity to influence academic discourse at the highest levels. Previously, he served as an adjunct professor at BITS, Pilani for over two decades (1993-2015), further demonstrating his commitment to formal education.
His teaching extends beyond traditional academic settings into ISKCON temples worldwide, where he regularly provides classes on the Srimad Bhagavatam and other Vedic texts. These teachings demonstrate his deep understanding of ancient scriptures and his ability to make them relevant to contemporary audiences, including those with scientific backgrounds.
Social Media Presence and Spiritual Teachings
Embracing modern communications technology, Rasaraja Dasa maintains an active presence across digital platforms, most notably through his YouTube channel where he shares Bhagavatam lectures and other spiritual discourses. His recent lecture on Srimad Bhagavatam 10.85.50 at ISKCON Juhu Mumbai on May 2, 2025, exemplifies his ongoing commitment to spiritual education.
His YouTube channel features numerous recordings of his lectures at various ISKCON temples, including Bengaluru Temple Lectures and his “Nityam Bhagavata Sevaya” series. These recordings make his spiritual teachings accessible to a global audience, allowing devotees worldwide to benefit from his insights regardless of geographical limitations.
The “Nityam Bhagavata-sevaya E-Magazine,” a fortnightly electronic publication focused on serving the Srimad Bhagavatam, represents another dimension of his outreach efforts. This platform further extends the reach of his teachings and contributes to ISKCON’s broader mission of spiritual education.
Through these various media channels, Rasaraja Dasa continues the tradition of bhakti-yoga in the modern age, adapting ancient practices of guru-disciple knowledge transmission to contemporary technological contexts while maintaining the authenticity and depth of the spiritual teachings.
A Life of Integrated Service
H.G. Rasaraja Dasa’s life and work represent a remarkable synthesis of scientific inquiry and spiritual devotion. As a direct disciple of Srila Prabhupada, he has faithfully carried forward his spiritual master’s vision of presenting Krishna Consciousness to the intellectual and scientific communities worldwide. His contributions to both academia and ISKCON demonstrate how spiritual wisdom and scientific investigation can complement one another.
Through his leadership at the Bhaktivedanta Institute, his pioneering work in consciousness studies, his extensive teaching activities, and his embrace of digital media for spiritual outreach, Rasaraja Dasa embodies the ideal of a 21st-century spiritual scientist. His life serves as an inspiration for anyone seeking to integrate intellectual pursuits with spiritual practice, showing that these domains need not be in conflict but can instead mutually enrich one another.
As he continues to lecture, teach, and write, his influence extends far beyond institutional boundaries, touching the lives of students, devotees, and seekers worldwide. The legacy he is building will undoubtedly continue to shape both scientific discourse and spiritual practice for generations to come, furthering Srila Prabhupada’s mission in ways that respond to the unique challenges and opportunities of our time.