A dream of Danavir Maharaj, begun many years ago: a college where devotees study Srila Prabhupada’s books systematically — with sadhana, with Sanskrit, with pilgrimage — and earn both an academic degree and a Bhakti title at the same time.
This website is the first step. The course itself is being built now, for offering on December 2, 2026. The structure below is Danavir Maharaj’s framework, from the Rupanuga Vedic College prospectus. The lessons inside it will come from our partner institutions and from Maharaj’s own teachings, as they arrive.
The Ladder
One path, five gates. Each gate is both a degree and a title. Each title is earned by passing its examination.
| Level | Degree | Title | Credits | Typical time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | Introductory Semester in Applied Vedic Culture (AVC) | — | 15 | 3 months |
| Associate | Associate Certificate in Vaisnava Philosophy | Bhakti-Sastri | 60 | ~2 years |
| Bachelor’s | Bachelor of Vaisnava Philosophy | Bhakti-Vaibhava | 120 | ~4 years |
| Master’s | Master of Vaisnava Philosophy / Education / Administration | Bhakti-Vedanta | 42 graduate | ~6 years |
| Doctorate | Doctor of Divinity | Bhakti-Sarvabhauma | 30 doctoral | ~8 years |
The primary texts throughout are Srila Prabhupada’s Bhagavad-gita As It Is, Srimad-Bhagavatam, and Caitanya-caritamrta.
Three Paths, One Ladder
New bhaktas — AVC entry
The introductory semester in Applied Vedic Culture. The entry point for most students.
Disciples and brahmacharis — deeper study
The Bhakti Shastri disciples course, continuing on the brahmachari path, through the full ladder.
The congregation — separate courses
The congregation will have their own separate courses, available at some expense. Details to follow.
What Makes This RVC
The framework is Maharaj’s. Partner lessons sit inside that framework, clearly credited — they do not replace it. Maharaj frames the course: his vision and introduction, his lectures and kirtans, his emphasis on sadhana and on the India pilgrimage practicum. And RVC’s own tests, once he shares them, will be the gate.
That is how the offering stays true to his vision, even while we learn from institutions who have been teaching this material for many years.
Partners
We have asked three centres to partner with us, giving them full credit and pointing students toward them:
- Vrindavan Institute for Higher Education (VIHE)
- Mayapur Institute
- ISKCON Chowpatty BACE
Coming December 2, 2026
The Bhakti Shastri website and app will be offered for Danavir Maharaj’s Vyasa Puja on Wednesday, December 2, 2026. This site is the outline. The teachings will be infused into it as partner material and Maharaj’s material arrive.