☙ VICE PRESIDENT · ISKCON MYSORE ❧
A dedicated servant of Lord Sri Krishna, carrying forward the timeless mission of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada — spreading the message of Bhagavad Gita, the science of self-realization, and the transformative practice of Bhakti Yoga across the world through decades of selfless devotional service.
ABOUT THE DEVOTEE
Sri Karunya Sagar Dasa was born in the culturally rich city of Chennai, Tamil Nadu, in 1977 — a time when India was witnessing a remarkable spiritual renaissance driven by the global spread of ISKCON, founded by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada just a decade earlier. Growing up in this vibrant spiritual landscape, the seeds of devotion were planted early in his consciousness, even as he pursued the conventional path of academic excellence.
While studying Civil Engineering at the prestigious M.S. Ramaiah Institute of Technology in Bengaluru — one of South India's premier engineering institutions — he encountered the profound teachings of Srila Prabhupada that would fundamentally transform the trajectory of his life. The depth and clarity of Prabhupada's translations and purports of ancient Vedic scriptures, particularly the Bhagavad Gita As It Is and Srimad Bhagavatam, awakened within him a deep yearning for spiritual understanding that transcended the material pursues of engineering and worldly success.
In 1996, responding to the irresistible calling of divine service, he made the momentous decision to join ISKCON Bangalore as a full-time missionary, dedicating his entire existence to the service of Lord Krishna and the propagation of Srila Prabhupada's mission. This was not merely a career change — it was a complete spiritual transformation, a surrender to a higher purpose that would define the next three decades of his life.
Seva & Preaching
Under the divine guidance of Srila Prabhupada's teachings, Sri Karunya Sagar Dasa has dedicated his life to establishing, nurturing, and expanding a wide spectrum of spiritual programs and humanitarian services that touch thousands of lives across Karnataka and beyond.
At the very heart of Sri Karunya Sagar Dasa's mission lies the systematic propagation of Krishna Consciousness — the ancient science of connecting the individual soul (jiva) with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna. Through meticulously organized Bhagavad Gita seminars, Srimad Bhagavatam classes, and interactive spiritual workshops conducted across universities, corporate offices, and community centers, he has illuminated the path of self-realization for thousands of seeking souls. His preaching methodology combines the timeless authenticity of Vedic wisdom with contemporary pedagogical approaches, making the profound philosophical concepts of Sankhya, Karma Yoga, and Bhakti accessible to modern audiences. These programs have reached over 50,000 individuals across Karnataka, planting seeds of spiritual awareness in the hearts of professionals, students, homemakers, and senior citizens alike.
The systematic study of Bhagavad Gita As It Is, Srila Prabhupada's flagship publication, forms the cornerstone of the educational outreach. Weekly study circles bring together devotees and newcomers to methodically explore the 18 chapters and 700 verses of this supreme scripture. Each session draws participants into deep contemplation of dharma, karma, jnana, and bhakti — the four pillars of spiritual life as taught by Lord Krishna to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra over 5,000 years ago. These circles have transformed countless lives.
Following the sacred tradition of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu — the golden avatara who inaugurated the Sankirtan movement 500 years ago — Sri Karunya Sagar Dasa organizes vibrant congregational chanting sessions (Sankirtan) that fill temples, community halls, and public spaces with the transcendental sound of the Hare Krishna Maha-Mantra. These kirtans are not mere musical performances but powerful spiritual practices that cleanse the heart and awaken dormant love for Godhead.
Guided by the Vedic principle "anna daanam param daanam" — that the gift of food is one of the highest forms of charity — the temple under his leadership operates large-scale prasadam distribution programs. Thousands of plates of sanctified vegetarian food (Krishna Prasadam) are distributed daily to the underprivileged, homeless, and needy. During festivals and special occasions, these numbers swell to tens of thousands, embodying the ISKCON philosophy that no one within a ten-mile radius of a temple should go hungry.
Recognizing that the youth represent the future of both society and the spiritual movement, dedicated programs have been established to engage young people in meaningful spiritual exploration. Weekend retreats, summer camps, quiz competitions on Vedic literature, and mentorship programs provide young adults aged 15 to 30 with a supportive environment to explore life's deepest questions: Who am I? What is the purpose of life? What happens after death? These programs have inspired hundreds of young professionals to integrate spiritual practice into their daily lives.
As Vice President of ISKCON Mysore, Sri Karunya Sagar Dasa oversees the comprehensive administration of one of Karnataka's most significant spiritual centers. From deity worship schedules and festival management to infrastructure development and community engagement, his leadership ensures that the temple functions as a beacon of spiritual culture, serving devotees as a sacred space for worship, learning, and spiritual transformation.
Spiritual Journey
Tracing the transformative journey of a soul drawn from the pursuit of material knowledge to the infinite ocean of Krishna's mercy — each milestone a testament to the power of bhakti and the grace of the spiritual master.
Born in Chennai, Tamil Nadu — the ancient Dravidian heartland known for its thousands of temples, rich Vaishnavite tradition dating back to the Alvars, and profound spiritual heritage. Chennai, home to the Parthasarathy Temple and the Kapaleeshwarar Temple, provided the ideal cultural soil for nurturing a soul destined for divine service. Growing up amidst the devotional atmosphere of South India, where temple bells and Vedic chanting form the soundtrack of daily life, the foundations of his spiritual inclination were naturally established.
Enrolled in Civil Engineering at the prestigious M.S. Ramaiah Institute of Technology in Bengaluru, a city that was rapidly becoming a hub for both technological innovation and spiritual awakening. It was during these formative years that he first encountered ISKCON devotees distributing Srila Prabhupada's books on the university campus. The logical precision of engineering found a deeper complement in the systematic philosophy of Bhagavad Gita, and the intellectual rigor of Vedantic thought captivated his analytical mind in ways that textbooks alone never could.
A pivotal year of spiritual awakening — his deepening engagement with Srila Prabhupada's books, particularly "Bhagavad Gita As It Is" and "The Science of Self-Realization," catalyzed a profound inner transformation. The crystal-clear logic, the uncompromising philosophical rigor, and the practical applicability of Prabhupada's teachings shattered the illusion of material pursuits and illuminated the eternal nature of the soul. Regular visits to ISKCON Bangalore temple for Sunday feast programs and Monday Gita classes accelerated his spiritual development.
In a decision that would define the rest of his life, he joined ISKCON Bangalore as a full-time brahmachari (celibate student-monk), surrendering completely to the mission of Srila Prabhupada. This was not a withdrawal from the world but a profound engagement with a higher reality — trading the limited ambitions of professional engineering for the unlimited service of the Supreme Engineer, Lord Sri Krishna. He underwent rigorous training in Vaishnava theology, Sanskrit studies, deity worship (arcana), and preaching methodology under senior devotees.
Transferred to ISKCON Mysore — the city of palaces and one of Karnataka's most culturally significant centers — he played a pivotal role in establishing and expanding the temple's outreach programs. From organizing large-scale Ratha Yatra festivals through the historic streets of Mysore to establishing systematic congregational preaching programs in surrounding districts, his tireless efforts transformed ISKCON Mysore from a modest center into a thriving spiritual hub attracting thousands of devotees and visitors annually.
Today, as the Vice President of ISKCON Mysore, Sri Karunya Sagar Dasa leads a vibrant spiritual community dedicated to the propagation of Krishna Consciousness in South India. Under his leadership, the temple has expanded its educational programs, humanitarian services, and festival celebrations, becoming a spiritual lighthouse for seekers from Mysore, Mandya, Chamrajanagar, and surrounding regions. His vision encompasses establishing ISKCON Mysore as a world-class center for Vedic education, spiritual culture, and compassionate service to all living beings.
Years of Devotional Service in ISKCON
Lives Touched Through Preaching & Outreach
Bhagavad Gita Classes & Seminars Conducted
Plates of Prasadam Distributed Annually
Eternal Wisdom
Krishna Consciousness is not a sectarian religious belief but the eternal, constitutional position of every living entity. As explained by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder-acharya of ISKCON, Krishna Consciousness is the original, natural consciousness of every soul. Just as a drop of ocean water shares the same chemical composition as the entire ocean, every individual soul (atma) is qualitatively one with the Supreme Soul (Paramatma), Lord Sri Krishna — yet quantitatively, the individual remains an eternal servant of the Supreme.
The practice of Krishna Consciousness involves nine processes of devotional service (Navavidha Bhakti): hearing (Shravanam), chanting (Kirtanam), remembering (Visnu Smaranam), serving the lotus feet (Pada Sevanam), worshipping (Archanam), offering prayers (Vandanam), carrying out orders (Dasyam), friendship (Sakhyam), and complete surrender (Atma Nivedanam). Through these practices, the conditioned soul gradually awakens to its eternal relationship with Krishna and experiences the highest bliss — prema, or pure love of God.
JOIN THE MOVEMENT
Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu predicted that the holy name of Krishna would be heard in every town and village of the world. You are invited to be part of this glorious spiritual revolution — a revolution of consciousness that transforms hearts, elevates minds, and reconnects souls with their eternal source, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna.