The Bhaktivedanta Research Center (BRC) was established in Kolkata in 2009 by Hari Sauri Das and Pranava Das. Currently, the administrative affairs are under the supervision of Gauranga Das and Balaram Lila Das. Pranava Das and Dr. Sumanta Rudra direct the BRC’s academic affairs.

The mission of BRC is “to be a leading global institution” by collecting, preserving, researching, teaching, exhibiting, and publishing the work of the previous acaryas. 

The BRC library has over 30,000 books and 4,000 journals. This vast selection includes around 2,500 rare collections of the original library of Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur and 28 rare journals, most of which are out of print. In addition, the BRC has visited more than 50 remote villages, libraries, and temples to collect manuscripts and has digitized more than 1250 rare manuscripts.

Dr. Sumanta Rudra, the Dean of Academic Affairs of Bhaktivedanta Research Center, expresses his gratitude saying,” We are very grateful to the GBC body for this special appreciation and encouragement for the mission of serving our mother shastras and reinstating them in their highest position in the mainstream society globally. This divine ancient wisdom has been deliberately removed from the education system, and BRC has a great opportunity to lead its revival for the supreme benefit of all.”

Given its extraordinary importance, the GBC identified it as critical to properly preserving the rare writings of the acaryas “as a library, research center and academic institute serving ISKCON globally.” Therefore, in a 2022 Resolution, the GBC identifies the need to recognize BRC to spread awareness of this service worldwide (both in the devotee and academic community).

The services rendered by BRC in collaborating with reputed universities are noteworthy. The BRC offers a Ph.D. and M.A. by Research Degrees affiliated with the University of Mumbai and Savitribai Phule Pune University. It has hosted more than 31 international conferences and is currently engaged in 30 research projects with 20 scholars. 

Balarama Lila Das, who manages the development and administrative affairs at BRC, says,” While we know our knowledge and education is the very basis, it’s ironic how few libraries and university collaborations we have as compared to the number of our Govindas and Goshalas worldwide. We hope and pray that this appreciation by the GBC body will encourage our temples and centers to correct this imbalance that has crept into society. BRC hopes to thus help strengthen our very foundation i.e. the ancient wisdom of our tradition, which will become the basis for many wonderful Govindas, Goshalas, and much more in the future.”  

In addition to this, it has also exhibited the rare original handwritten letters and articles of our previous acharyas and published six Vaishnava books. They include Svalikhita Jivani, The International Journal Of Indian Religion & Society, and Bhaktivedanta Samvada.

For more information about the BRC or to learn how you may contribute to their vital work, visit their website or connect via WhatsApp +91 877 907 1763 or email.