Author Biography

Born in 1955 in New York City, Urmila Devi Dasi (Dr. Edith Best) joined the International Society for Krishna Consciousness in 1973 in Chicago. That year she became a disciple of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. She had several occasions, along with her family, to meet with him personally. She and her husband, Pratyatosa Dasa, have three married children and fourteen grandchildren. Pratyatosa Dasa and Urmila Devi Dasi have lived as renounced vanaprasthas since early in 1996. Urmila has a Bachelor's of Science from Excelsior College (of the University of the State of NewYork) in Religion and Education, and Master of School Administration (MSA) and Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has been an associate editor of Back to Godhead since 1990, a primary and secondary teacher for 27 years, school principal for 18 years, and is a member of the Sastric Advisory Council to the Governing Body Commission of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Her other publications include Vaikuntha Children, a guidebook for education in ISKCON; Dr. Best Learn to Read, an 83 book complete literacy program with technology enabling the story books to speak in 25 languages at the touch of a special "pen" (available from illuminationeducation. com and from krishna.com); and dozens of articles in Back to Godhead magazine. Urmila travels internationally to teach about spiritual life, education, and leadership. Urmila devi dasi (Dr. Edith Best) has served ISKCON continuously since her initiation by Srila Prabhupada in 1973. She and her husband are in the vanaprastha order since 1996. They have three married children and 14 grandchildren. She has a PhD in education, was a primary and secondary teacher for 27 years, and has 19 years of experience with school management. Urmila is the chair of the Sastric Advisory Council to the GBC, an associate editor of Back to Godhead, and a professor of Sociology of Religion at Bhaktivedanta College. She travels worldwide teaching Krishna consciousness. She is the author of Dr. Best Learn to Read, an 83-book literacy program, and The Great Mantra for Mystic Meditation, available on Amazon. Her official website: / and personal website:

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