Lably
Skip to content

Giriraja Swami

American hindu author and high-ranking member of ISKCON

  • 1 min read
  • 2 chapters

Related on Lably

Through Hinduism, Portugal and Sri Lanka

Background

Glenn P. Teton is the only son of Alfred B. Teton, a Chicago lawyer who was later appointed judge. In March 1969, while studying at Brandeis University in Boston, he met A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, founder and original acharya of the ISKCON. After graduating, he accepted formal initiation from Prabhupada and received the spiritual name Giriraj Das.

In 1972, Giriraj was appointed by Prabhupada as president of ISKCON Bombay and trustee of the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust. He subsequently oversaw the development of Hare Krishna Land in Juhu, Bombay. He was also involved in the acquisition and development of Bhaktivedanta Ashram in Govardhan, as well as projects such as the Kirtan Ashram for women, the Bhaktivedanta Hospice, and the Vrindavan Institute of Palliative Care. Giriraj Swami has also taught at the Vrindavan Institute for Higher Education.

In 1978, Giriraj took sannyasa (the renounced order of life) and was appointed president of ISKCON's board of trustees in India.

In 1982, he was appointed to ISKCON's Governing Body Commission and oversaw ISKCON activities in areas such as Bombay, Mauritius, South Africa, Spain, Portugal, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan.

Sign in to keep reading

One more chapter is free with a Lably account.

More in Religion