Sannyasa acceptance by His Grace Brhat-mrdanga Prabhu

On 24th December 2009 at Sri Sri Radhanath Temple of Understanding or Iskcon Durban, South Africa, in the presence of His Holiness Bhakti Caitanya Swami, His Holiness Bhakti Bhrnga Govinda Swami, and several hundred devotees, HH Giriraj Swami awarded sannyasa, the renounced order, to Brhat Mrdanga Prabhu. He is now His Holiness Bhakti Brhat Bhagavata Swami.

His Holiness Bhakti Brhat Bhagavata Swami, in his quest for spiritual understanding prior to becoming a full time member of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness joined the Divine Life Society were he studied under Sri Swami Sahajananda. However due to his constant inquest into spiritual understanding Sri Swami Sahajananda told him that he was a missionary and should join the Hare Krishna Movement. He acquired a set of the Srimad Bhagavatam and several other books written by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, founder acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness and was deeply moved by these sublime teachings. This prompted him to become a full time member of The International Society for Krishna Consciousness.

Here is a brief Bio Data of His Holiness Bhakti Brhat Bhagavata Swami.

1983 - Brhat-mrdanga dasa, a former school-teacher, joined ISKCON in Durban,
South Africa.

1985 to 1988:
a) Distributed over 30 000 books (mainly "Science of Self Realizations" and
"Bhagavad Gitas" in South Africa.
b) Preached extensively to high school and university students in South
Africa .
c) Placed full sets of Srila Prabhupada's books in over 50 libraries,
colleges and universities through book sponsorships in South Africa.
d) Sankirtana Leader and Chairman of ISKCON Kwa-Zulu Natal (a province of
South Africa) Congregational Council.

1989 to 1992 - Vice-President of Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple, ISKCON
Durban.

1990(July) to 1991(April) - Completed the First(and only) Preacher Trainer's
Course at VIHE, Vrndavana.

1991 - Founded the Bhaktivedanta College of Education and Culture(BCEC) in
Durban, South Africa.
a) Under his direction(and travelling internationally since 1994), BCEC has
expanded to other countries: Hong Kong, Philippines, India, Kenya,
Mauritius, England, Ireland, Canada, USA, Trinidad and Guyana.
b) BCEC offers bridging courses like 'Bhakti-Sadacara', 'Yoga Ladder'
leading up to Bhakti-sastri/Vaibhava degrees. Certification includes
Bhakti-sadacara certificate, Bhakti-gita diploma and Bhakti-sastri/Vaibhava
degrees. Courses are also offered for children. Since July 1991, 13470
students have passed through Bhaktivedanta College of Education and Culture.

1997 to 2000 - President of Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple, ISKCON Durban.

2001 to 2004 - Co-President of Sri Sri Krishna Balarama Mandir, ISKCON
Vrndavana.

2004 to 2006 - Regional Secretary for Gauteng, South Africa.

Currently, Brhat-mrdanga dasa serves as:
* Co-International Director of Bhaktivedanta College of Education &
Culture(BCEC)
* Member of the GBC Ministry of Educational Development (MED)
* Member of the GBC Succession Committee
* Chairman of ISKCON Leadership Education And Development System (ISKCON
LEADS), A GBC Succession Committee Initiative
* Member of the Board of Directors of Mayapur Institute (MI)

To those who know him well he remains a friend, mentor, role model and well-wisher.