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Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS)
The Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) Program is offered under the Govardhan Ecovillage School of Mindful Leadership (SmiLe) at Govardhan Eco Village.Designed for teachers, administrators, Vice Chancellors, and other academic leaders, the program provides an understanding of India’s knowledge traditions and their relevance to contemporary education. It offers practical insights into integrating Indian Knowledge Systems into teaching, institutional practices, leadership, sustainability, and student development.
“The greatest leader is not someone who is the only leader. The greatest leader is one who inspires others to be leaders.”
– His Holiness Radhanath Swami
Heartfelt Experiences
Shared by Teachers
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Dr. Jyoti Pohane - Former Principal, Pragati College of Arts and Commerce, Dombivali
"Now since in NEP, IKS is included in the syllabus, it is need of the hour... Every teacher must learn it and impart knowledge to the students... My expectations are fulfilled in this program, as it covered various dimensions of IKS leadership... All the facilitators are excellent and are ocean of knowledge... we could get knowledge from them which we can pass on to the students with pride... This program has really helped me in my passion that my students should learn and grow. I am thankful to MSFDA and SMile (GEV) for organizing this program."
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Dr. Padmakar Deshmukh - Dean, Student Development & Welfare, Pimpri Chinchwad College of Enge, Nigdi,Pune
"IKS based Mindful Leadership program is well-designed & structured, covering various facets of Indian Knowledge System and its linkages to leadership development, connecting the historical approach to modern techniques... it will have meaningful impact on the academic leaders from various fields. The facilities at SMiLe GEV Campus are well supporting the organization of this program. The program includes major threads of Indian Knowledge System. I am happy to implement takeaways to develop future leaders of India."
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Jeetendra Barulkar - Asst. Professor, Language & Literature, Adarsh Mahavidyalaya, Amravati
"I have attended several FDPs in the past, but IKS based Leadership program organized at Govardhan Ecovillage is unique. There is no better place than GEV to learn IKS based leadership - the living example of our traditional ancient wisdom. Here, we have learnt several aspects about, and new perspectives of, IKS based leadership on practical and experiential basis. We, being the key stakeholders in education system, are inspired to shape the future of India, and to make India a knowledge superpower once again. Govardhan Ecovillage is a wonderful place, and I thank both MSFDA and GEV for organizing this program here."
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Shilpa Deshmukh - Asst. Professor, Humanities, Shri Renukadevi Arts, Commerce & Science College, Nanded
"I am participating for the first time in a training program organized by MSFDA. I will be happy to join more such programs in future. I have personally benefitted a lot by participating in this program. Sattvic environment and excellent sessions at Govardhan Ecovillage have created a positive impact. Our students will benefit a lot from my experience of what I have learnt here in the IKS based mindful leadership program."
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Dr. Rohit Bhaskar Jadhav - Asst. Professor, Economics, Maharashtra National Law University, Mumbai
"I am thankful to MSFDA and Govardhan Ecovillage for giving me opportunity to participate in the IKS based Leadership program. I saw, learnt and experienced a number of things in Indian Knowledge System based Leadership, which I had known only in theory before this program. Practically every aspect of IKS based leadership was touched upon. The relevance of IKS in today's leadership and practical demonstration at Govardhan Ecovillage is commendable. I will definitely try to implement learnings from this program for my personal and institutional development."
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Dr. Vaishali Somani - MD College, Mumbai
"The environment at Govardhan Ecovillage is such that Indian Knowledge System is embedded in its every aspect. This made our learning of leadership principles a very joyful experience. And while learning ourselves, we also got the best experience in how to teach these leadership principles to the students and also implement in our educational institution."
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Dr. Deepali S Ubale - MCE, Pune
"I must say that this is the best Faculty Development Program I have ever attended in my life. It is such a beautiful team and management which has organized this program. The environment, stay, food, facilities, and the entire ecosystem is excellent. Everyday we had packed sessions from 10 to 5, but there was never a boring moment. This environment has really helped us to transform our thought process. Thanks to MSFDA for giving me this opportunity to participate in this five-day program."
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Dr. Ramila Gaikwad - LJNJ College, Vile Parle, Mumbai
"This opportunity to introspect on the qualities that make a great leader is certainly going to be very useful for us in our professional careers. Sustainability, biodiversity, agriculture and other practical projects gave us great lessons on how we can transform ourselves. Coming from different parts of Maharashtra with different approaches, this program gave opportunity to all of us to see leadership in a very different perspective.
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Prof. Satish Kanthale - Lal Bahadur Shastri Mahavidyalaya, Nanded
"I came to know what exactly is leadership from the perspective of Indian Knowledge Systems. Self-developmental leadership doesn't need technology - it needs calmness, thoughtfulness and aligned action.These are very important aspects of leadership which teaches us the art of communication and self-control in this beautiful environment. There are so many things to learn and implement from this program."
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Dr. Ganesh Tolsarwad - Pracharya, Swami Vivekananda Pharmacy College, Latur
"The knowledge we gathered in the IKS based Leadership Program at Govardhan Ecovillage is very valuable. I am inspired to implement my learnings and share invaluable experiences of this leadership program among students, and in society at large. I am very thankful to MSFDA and GEV for organizing this program. Facilities provided by GEV are top class. For me, this is like once in a life time experience. I will be happy to participate in more such academic leadership programs organized at GEV."
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Dr. Shikha Jain - Engineering & Technology, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Technical University, Aurangabad
"I must say this is the best program I have ever attended. It was much more than just a program on Indian Knowledge System. It is indeed a leadership program. For the first time I heard about dharma-based leadership, conscious leadership, and mindful leadership. It was amazing to see how leadership is connected with our ancient culture. All sessions had the depth of Indian knowledge and culture. Being an academic leader, I will spread this knowledge to as many people as I can. Thanks to MSFDA, GEV and all coordinators."
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Dr. Nirati Govindrao Popatwar - Associate Professor, DSA Arts, Science & Commerce College, Parbhani
"During five days of this program, we have studied various aspects of IKS based Leadership and gathered a lot of knowledge. Reputed facilitators from various fields have shared their experiences with us and have made these sessions very interesting. Practical knowledge about IKS based Leadership is very beneficial for academic leaders because we can inspire the younger generation to realize true potential of IKS. Facilities at GEV are the best, and I strongly recommend doing more, long duration programs
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Abhay became a disciple of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta in 1933 and resolved to carry out his Guru’s request. He wrote a commentary on the Bhagavad-gita, assisted the Gaudiya Matha in its work, and, in 1944, started Back to Godhead, an English fortnightly magazine. Single-handedly, he edited it, typed the manuscripts, checked the galley proofs, and even distributed the individual copies.
Abhay, later known by the honorific A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, spent the next 32 years preparing for his journey to the West.
In 1950, Abhay retired from married life, adopting the vanaprastha order to devote more time to his studies and writing. Later, he took sannyasa and traveled to the holy city of Vrindavana, where he lived in humble circumstances in the historic Radha-Damodara Temple.
In 1965, at the age of sixty-nine, Srila Prabhupada traveled to New York City aboard a cargo ship. The journey was treacherous, and the elderly spiritual teacher suffered two heart attacks aboard the ship. Arriving in the United States with just seven dollars in Indian currency and his translations of sacred Sanskrit texts, Srila Prabhupada began to share the timeless wisdom of Krishna consciousness. His message of peace and goodwill resonated with many young people, some of whom came forward to become serious students of the Krishna tradition.
On July 11, 1966, he officially registered his organization in the state of New York, formally founding the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).
In the eleven years that followed, Srila Prabhupada circled the globe fourteen times on lecture tours, bringing the teachings of Lord Krishna to thousands of people on six continents. Men and women from all backgrounds and walks of life came forward to accept his message, and with their help, Srila Prabhupada established ISKCON centers and projects throughout the world. Under his inspiration, his disciples established temples, rural communities, educational institutions, and started what would become the world’s largest vegetarian food relief program. With the desire to nourish the roots of Krishna consciousness in his homeland, Srila Prabhupada returned to India several times, where he sparked a revival of the Vaishnava tradition. In India, he opened dozens of temples, including large centers in the holy towns of Vrindavan and Mayapur.
In developing rural communities, Srila Prabhupada visited ISKCON’s first farm community in Moundsville, West Virginia, for the first time on May 21, 1969. He had numerous ideas about how to develop the place as a replica of Vrindavan Dhama. In a letter to Hayagriva Dasa (March 1968), Srila Prabhupada wrote, “I am so glad to learn that one gentleman is going to open an ashram in West Virginia, and he has secured a big tract of land, 320 acres, and I wish that this tract of land may be turned into New Vrindaban. You have New York, New England, and so many “New” duplicates of European countries in the USA; why not import New Vrindaban in your country?”
In letters to Hayagriva, Kirtanananda Swami, and others between 1968 and 1973, Srila Prabhupada shared his vision for New Vrindaban and emphasized its vital aspects: cow protection, agriculture, simple village life, a place of pilgrimage (a replica of Vrindavan), a place of higher learning, and ultimately, a place for people to develop their love for Krishna.
Srila Prabhupada's most significant contribution, perhaps, is his books. Highly respected by scholars for their authority, depth, and clarity, they are used as textbooks in numerous college courses. His writings have been translated into over fifty languages. His most prominent works include Bhagavad-gita As It Is, the 30-volume Srimad-Bhagavatam, and the 17-volume Sri Caitanya-caritamrita.
In choosing Prabhupada as his guru, Radhanath Swami felt compelled to shave his matted locks and re-enter Western society with a mission to share the sacred wisdom he had received.
This return exemplifies the form of devotional yoga at the heart of Radhanath Swami’s teachings—a spiritual practice expressed through tangible action, meant to bring about personal fulfillment and benefit the world.
His life is dedicated to helping people find meaning through serving others. "Things can give pleasure to the mind and senses, but only love can give pleasure to the heart. And ultimately, that is what we are looking for."
Today, Radhanath Swami travels the world and has been invited to share timeless wisdom in many forums, including some of the world’s leading academic institutions and corporations, helping millions of people find meaning, purpose, and fulfillment. He is not only a guide but also a community builder, activist, and a New York Times bestselling author.
One of the purposes of ISKCON listed in Srila Prabhupada’s founding documents is "To erect for the members and for society at large a holy place of transcendental pastimes, dedicated to the personality of Krishna." Radhanath Swami had been longing for decades to fulfill Srila Prabhupada’s desires in this regard, and he inspired the devotees at ISKCON Chowpatty (Mumbai) to work toward this goal.
Emphasizing the urgency of the project, Radhanath Swami told the devotees in 2009, "Now our number one priority is developing the farm community. We want to put our best men and resources into developing this project into a wonderful place where we can demonstrate to the whole world the glories of protecting cows and living with respect for and harmony with Mother Earth."
In dedication to the vision of his spiritual master, Radhanath Swami inspired the creation of Govardhan Ecovillage (Home of Sri Sri Radha Vrindavanbihari), a place where there is honor, respect, and affection for all living beings, and a community living with Krishna as the center.
Govardhan Ecovillage (GEV) is situated in the lush green Sahyadri mountain range, close to the Vaitarna River in the Palghar district of Maharashtra. Spread over 140 acres, it is home to several eco-friendly initiatives.
Radhanath Swami’s message is as profound as it is simple: by cultivating a rich inner life of self-awareness and serving others with humility, we can become instruments of compassion and agents of sustainable change in the world.