Toronto’s Hare Krishna Temple will be welcoming Brahma Muhurta das to our community this weekend! He will be conducting a “Yajna Training Seminar” (by invitation only) to help train local devotees in performing yajnas. “Yajnas” are fire sacrifices wherein grains and other items are offered into fire amidst the chanting of mantras.
At the age of 14 Brahma Muhurta das first read the Sanskrit philosophical text Bhagavad-gita. Inspired by its teachings, he devoted himself to more fully understanding classical Indian philosophical and religious culture. At 17 he received initiation from Bhakti Tirtha Swami and a few months later received second initiation. While a brahmachari (celibate monk), he served as the Head Pujari (Priest) in the Gita-Nagari temple and the personal servant of his guru. He later received his BFA from Tufts University and and MFA from the University of Florida, as well as a Fulbright Fellowship to India to support his work on art and India Ritual.
Brahma Muhurta das’ endeavor to study classical Indian rituals has lead him to seek the tutelage of various teachers. He began his Sanskrit studies under Professor Michael Witzel of Harvard University. He developed curriculum on rituals at the Sri Rupanuga Vidyapitham, Mayapur, West Bengal and studied under Bhakti Vidya Purna Swami. He later continued to study temple rituals and the pancaratrika agamas under Gaura Keshava Prabhu of Sri Rangam and Maui, and did research under the guidance of Sri Ramana Bhattar of Sri Rangam.
In Bhakti Tirtha Swami’s final days, he requested Brahma Muhurta das to return to his home in the US and perform his last rites where Brahma Muhurta was given the instruction and blessing to dedicate his life to studying and teaching ritual. In addition to his art and academic career where he has taught at RISD and Boston College, and in accordance with this, Brahma Muhurta das has been officiating weddings and myriad other Hindu rituals, including the opening of temples, for nearly 20 years, in the Americas, Europe, and India.