About Brahma M. Dasa
Brahma M. Dasa has devoted himself to systematically studying Indian philosophical and religious culture for over 20 years. Based in New York City, he serves as a purohita (priest) officiating weddings, rites of passage, and other Hindu rituals, including the opening of temples, in the Americas, Europe, and India.
At the age of 17, he received initiation into the Krishna bhakti lineage from Sripada Bhakti Tirtha Swami and later accepted upanayanam (investiture of the sacred thread according to Vedic rites). He lived in the ashram of his teacher as a brahmacari (celibate student) for 3 years, during which he began to study and perform temple rituals. During Sripada Bhakti Tirtha Swami’s final days, he requested Brahma to perform his last rites. Before passing away, Sripada Bhakti Tirtha Swami gave Brahma the instruction and blessing to dedicate his life to studying and teaching ritual.
Brahma’s endeavor to study classical Indian ritual has lead him to seek the tutelage of various of teachers. He began his Sanskrit studies under Professor Michael Witzel at Harvard University, and began his Vedic ritual study at the Sri Rupanuga Vidyapitham, Mayapur, West Bengal and then continued Vedic and vaishnava ceremonies with G. Keshava Dasa of Maui and Sri Rangam. Brahma continues to study temple rituals and the pancaratrika agamas under the expertise of Dr. Shalvapille Iyengar, of Mysore University and a sthanacharya (hereditary caretaker) of the Sree Cheluvanarayana Swami Temple in Melkote.
Throughout the last 20 years, Brahma has lived and traveled throughout India, where he has completed focused studies in Sanskrit, philosophy, temple rituals, and music. Additionally, Brahma has received a BFA from Tufts University and an MFA from the University of Florida. Between completing these degrees, he was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship to support his work on art and Indian ritual, centered on the intersection of traditionalism and modernity in visual representations of the divine and within image worship.
Brahma M. Dasa successfully balances his intensive education and traditional training with an attention to detail and decoration, bringing a unique combination of properly performed procedures with artful aesthetics to every ritual he performs.
If you would like to book or inquire about pujas, classes, and other services please contact us.
Brahma M. Dasa is available to travel within the Americas, Europe, and India.