About our Serving Director
Dr. B. Madhava Puri was rigorously trained in Western science throughout his formal education, ultimately earning a doctorate in Quantum Chemistry from Georgetown University in 1970. Through a National Science Foundation Fellowship, he worked as a postdoc with the National Bureau of Standards (now the National Institute of Standards and Technology) in Washington DC. As a scientist, Dr. Puri studied the novel properties of hydrogen and oxygen molecules resulting from varying internuclear distances. This produced several technical papers published in the Journal of Chemical Physics and the Journal of Research of the National Institute of Standards and Technology. It also contributed to Introductory Quantum Chemistry (Harper & Row, 1970) by Dr. S.R. La Paglia.
During the early 70s, after encountering the measurement problem in quantum mechanics and facing the unrealistic implications of the materialistic scientific worldview, Dr. Puri turned to Vedic philosophy for more comprehensive insights about life and consciousness. Under the affectionate guidance of a bonafide Vaishnava Acharya, Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Dr. Puri became one of five founding charter members of the original Bhaktivedanta Institute (BI) along with other scientists like Dr. Thoudam D. Singh (Bhaktisvarup Damodar) and Dr. Richard L. Thompson (Sadaputa). Anticipating the conclusions of contemporary biology, members of the BI have illuminated the limitations of Darwinian evolution since the Institute’s inception in 1974.
Dr. B. M. Puri inspired the profound transformation in Nobel laureate George Wald’s worldview as it is presented in his lectures and publications on consciousness and the origin of life circa 1976. Dr. Wald went from embracing the standard materialistic conclusions of modern scientists to recognizing that mind is fundamental to matter and life. His publication “Life and Mind in the Universe” was encouraged by interactions with the Bhaktivedanta Institute. Dr. Wald lectured on this important topic throughout the USA, India, Germany, and Mexico to university students, other Nobel laureates, scientists, and scholars. It was also published on several occasions.
During his 10 years in India throughout the late 70s and 80s, Dr. Puri encountered the ancient Vedic conception of the evolution of consciousness. This idea holds that the various lifeforms on planet Earth are different embodiments of particular stages of consciousness that a soul experiences during its sojourn through the material plane of exploitation, i.e. nature, where the human is the pinnacle of this process. In the human form of life, the soul can think and inquire about its identity, origin, and purpose. Such a concept seems supported by developments in 21st-century biology recognizing that “there is continuity between humans and other animals in their emotional (and cognitive) lives; that there are transitional stages among species, not large gaps” (Marc Bekoff, “Animal Emotions,” 2000). “During evolution, the generation of system levels leads to an increase in the autonomy of organisms. This autonomy reaches a special combination in higher animals and humans” (Bernd Rosslenbroich, “Outline of a concept for organismic systems biology,” 2011).
Under the tutelage of Srila Bhakti Rakshak Sridhara Dev-Goswami Maharaja, one of the most senior and high-minded Vaishnava Acharyas, Dr. Puri learned that the evolution of consciousness continues towards the transcendental plane of dedication. That plane of consciousness is not dictated by exploitive motives like the survival of the fittest or “the war of all against all” (Thomas Hobbes, Leviathan, 1651), but rather it views true reality as an Organic Whole where service to the Absolute center produces the greatest fulfillment for all individuals. This can be metaphorically likened to feeding the stomach (the center) to nourish the entire body (the whole) or watering roots (the functional center) to nurture the whole plant (B.R. Sridhara, Home Comfort, 1992). Sridhara Maharaja also informed Dr. Puri of the complementarity between Vedic wisdom and G.W.F. Hegel’s philosophical insights. Some of their exchanges, as well as with other members of the BI, have been recorded in the book Subjective Evolution of Consciousness.
Dr. B Madhava Puri is the inspiration behind the Science & Scientist international conference series. His published articles since the turn of the century, available on PhilPapers, can be categorized as follows:
- Hegel’s Conceptual Realism | 29 articles
- The principle of Organic Wholism | 12 articles
- Reconsidering Darwinian evolution of insentient bodies | 9 articles
Other works from 1968-1981, such as technical scientific articles and the BI Bulletin series, as well as recent books, are accessible here.
Dr. Puri continues to inspire and nurture sincere spiritual seekers regardless of their academic, social, or cultural background. Every Saturday, from 1:00-2:00 PM, he gives time to meet via Zoom group call with any inquisitive souls to discuss both the science of Spirit, as well as the spiritual culture of Bhagavat-dharma. Kindly consider contacting us if you’re interested in participating.
An in-depth historical perspective of Dr. Puri’s role in the formative years of the Krishna consciousness movement and Bhaktivedanta Institute is available here.
