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Home » American champion of Vedic Culture gets India’s Padma Shri award

American champion of Vedic Culture gets India’s Padma Shri award

Stephen Knapp, head of the ISKCON temple in Detroit, has been honored with Padma Shri, India’s 4th highest civilian award, for decades of researching Vedic culture and authoring many books.

by Parveen Chopra
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Stephen Knapp, a prolific author and prominent proponent of Vedic culture, has been awarded Padma Shri in the category of Literature and Education.

Stephen Knapp feels grateful for receiving the prestigious Padma Shri award in the category of Literature and Education from the Indian government. “The award to me is for a life of dedication to working to Protect, Preserve, Promote, and Perpetuate the Vedic culture of India,” the prolific American author and ISKCON leader tells Lotus.

Knapp, who goes by the spiritual name Sri Nandanandana Dasa, is a Krishna devotee who heads the ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) temple in Detroit, Michigan. He has authored numerous books, including ‘The Secret Teachings of the Vedas’, ‘Proof of Vedic Culture’s Global Existence’, and ‘Mysteries of the Ancient Vedic Empire’.

The Padma Shri award from the land of the Vedas underscores Knapp’s remarkable contributions as a writer, author, philosopher, spiritual practitioner, traveler, photographer, and lecturer.

He was surprised when the Indian Embassy in Washington, DC, informed him about the award on the eve of India’s Republic Day, January 26, when the Padma awards were announced.

He hopes to go to India in a few weeks to receive the award from the President of India, Droupadi Murmu. He says, “This is likely the highest award I will receive in this lifetime, so I consider it very special. I thank everyone who has helped me along the way, beginning with my spiritual master, His Divine Grace Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (ISKCON founder).” 

 Stephen Knapp wearing religious robes with Om symbol

 Through his writings and advocacy, Stephen Knapp, who lives in Detroit, Michigan, plays a significant role in preserving and promoting Vedic knowledge and making it accessible to a global audience.

Stating that the study and practice of Vedic culture have been the most beneficial for him, he professes that “it can be most beneficial for everyone else if they simply look at it with an open mind and deeply enough to see how profound it is.”

Last year, Kanpp received two prestigious Lifetime Achievement Awards. The first, conferred by the Hindu Mandir Empowerment Council (HMEC), recognized his role in presenting the deeper aspects of Vedic thought to global audiences and his work managing temples and inspiring devotees. The second award, from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America, acknowledged his scholarly contributions to preserving and promoting the universal relevance of Vedic knowledge.  

With over 40 years of research, sadhana practice, and travel experience, Knapp has widely been accepted as a respected voice in Indology and Vedic studies. Born in the United States, Knapp’s journey into Vedic culture began with a deep interest in Eastern philosophy and spirituality. His quest for knowledge led him to explore various spiritual traditions, ultimately finding his path in the Vedic teachings.

Unlike many academic Indologists, Knapp immersed himself fully in the spiritual practices described in the Vedic texts. He believes understanding this ancient wisdom requires direct engagement with its prescribed disciplines. Knapp’s spiritual journey took a significant turn when he encountered the Bhagavad-gita, which he describes as the “last piece of the puzzle” in his research.

Under the direct guidance of Swami Prabhupada, Knapp continued his study of Vedic knowledge and spiritual practice. During this period, he received his spiritual name, Sri Nandanandana dasa, and was initiated into the Brahma-Madhava-Gaudiya sampradaya, an authorized spiritual lineage within the Vedic tradition.

Hindu deities Krishna and consort Radha in  splendid garb with framed saints pictures at bottom.
The Radha Krishna deities, Sri Sri Radha Kunjabihari, are enshrined at the ISKCON’s Devasadan Mandir in Detroit, MI. Stephen Knapp (Sri Nandanandana dasa) is the temple’s Chairman.    

One of Knapp’s significant contributions to the field is his work on tracing the global influence of Vedic culture. In his book “Proof of Vedic Culture’s Global Existence,” he explores the dissemination of Vedic ideas and practices worldwide, drawing connections between ancient Indian civilization and other cultures. He has been involved in various projects and initiatives aimed at raising awareness about the threats facing Vedic culture and proposing solutions to address these challenges.

Stephen Knapp’s journey from seeking Eastern wisdom to being a respected author and practitioner of Vedic culture exemplifies the transformative power of these ancient teachings. Through his writings and advocacy, Knapp plays a significant role in preserving and promoting Vedic knowledge, making it accessible to a global audience while emphasizing the importance of direct spiritual experience in understanding this profound philosophical tradition.

To know more about Stephen Knapp, go to: https://www.stephen-knapp.com/ 

Many of his books are available free as e-books.

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