Deepak Sarma

Professor of South Asian Religions Department of Religious Studies Case Western Reserve University

Cleveland, Ohio 44106-7107 Tel: 216-368-4790 deepaksarma.com

https://case.academia.edu/DeepakSarma Deepak.Sarma@case.edu

March 30, 2020

EMPLOYMENT 2012 – Professor, Religious Studies, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland OH. Secondary Appointment, Professor of Bioethics, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University 2007-2012 Associate Professor, Religious Studies Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland OH. 2004-2007 Assistant Professor, Religious Studies Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland OH. 2003 – 04 Lecturer in Religious Studies, Department of Religion, Yale University, New

Haven, CT. 2002 – 03 Course Instructor Graham School of General Studies, University of Chicago,

Chicago, IL. 2001 - 02 Visiting Assistant Professor, Department of Philosophy, Salisbury University,

Salisbury, MD.

2000 – 01 Visiting Assistant Professor, Department of Religious Studies, Connecticut College, New London, CT.

2000 Adjunct Professor, Department of Religion, DePaul University, Chicago, IL. 1998 – 99 Visiting Assistant Professor, Department of Religious Studies, Vanderbilt

University, Nashville, TN. 1994 - 99 Course Instructor Graham School of General Studies, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL.

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OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE 2013 – Curatorial Consultant, Department of Asian Art, Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH. 2010 – 2011 Guest Curator, Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH. EDUCATION University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 1998 Ph.D. in Philosophy of Religions (Comparative) 1993 M.A. in Religious Studies Reed College, Portland, OR 1991 B.A. in Religious Studies

PUBLICATIONS BOOKS 2011 Classical Indian Philosophy: A Reader. New York, NY. Columbia University Press. 2009 Authority and Its Challenges in Hindu Texts, Translations, and Transnational

Communities. Editor. Hampton, Virginia, Deepak Heritage Books.

2008 Hinduism: A Reader. Oxford, U.K. Blackwell Publishing Ltd. 2004 Epistemologies and the Limitations of Philosophical Inquiry: Doctrine in Madhva Vedanta. New York, NY, Routledge Curzon Press. 2003 An Introduction to Madhva Vedanta. Aldershot, England, Ashgate Publishers Ltd. ARTICLES IN REFEREED BOOKS, BLOGS, and CHAPTERS 2020 “Hinduism.” In How to Live a Good Life. Edited by Massimo Pigliucci, Skye Cleary, and Daniel Kaufman. Vintage. 2019 “Mādhva Vedānta: Defending Vaiṣṇavism against Antithetical Advaita Vedānta,”

Journal of Vaisnava Studies. 28:1. 2019 “Madhva Aetate” in Evangelization in Interreligious Dialogue. Edited by Donald Wallenfang and John Cavadini. Wipf and Stock.

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2018 “The Tirtha of Udupi.” Journal of Vaisnava Studies. 27:1. 2018 “Bioethical Challenges for Neurogenomics for Hinduism.” In Interreligious Perspectives on

Mind, Genes and the Self: Emerging Technologies and Human Identity. Edited by Joseph Tham, Chris Durante and Alberto Garcia Gomez. Routledge.

2018 “A Long Strange Trip: Exploring How Yoga-Narasimha Landed on the Grateful Dead’s First Album Cover,” in Sacred Matters: Religious Currents in Culture (July 30, 2018. https://sacredmattersmagazine.com/a-long-strange-trip-exploring-how-yoga-narasimha- landed-on-the-grateful-deads-first-album-cover/ 2018 “Madhva.” In Encyclopedia of Indian Religions, Hinduism and Tribal Religions. Edited

by Arvind Sharma. Springer Reference. 2017 “Madhvacarya.” In “Global Philosophy: Resources for Philosophy Professors and Students,” https://globalphilosophyresources.com/2017/12/01/madhvacarya/ Edited by Sonia Sikka and Anna Lännström. 2017 “The dharma of Dollars/ Hinduism and Money: A post-colonial reflection.” The

Common Reader, Washington University in St. Louis. Feb 17, 2017. 2016 “Madhva Vedanta: A Brief Commentary on Pedagogical Parampara.” Journal of Vaisnava Studies. 25:1, 99-107.

2016 “Love is taking over, Like a tidal wave.” Bulletin for the Study of Religion. (North American Society for the Study of Religion). Equnox. Feb. 29, 2016. http://bulletin.equinoxpub.com/2016/02/revolutionary-love-scholars-respond-to-the-aars- 2016-conference-theme-deepak-sarma/

2016 “Postcolonial Religion.” In Macmillan Interdisciplinary Handbooks: Religion. Edited by

Jeffrey Kripal. Macmillan Reference. 2015 “Under the Gaze of Kali: Exhibitionism in the Kalighat painting Exhibit at the Cleveland

Museum of Art.” In Sacred Objects in Secular Spaces: Exhibiting Asian Religions in Museums. Edited by Bruce Sullivan, Bloomsbury Press.

2015 “The Aptaguru.” In International Journal of Hindu Studies. 19:2. 2015 “Religious perspectives on human suffering: Implications for medicine and bioethics,”

Hinduism section, co-authored. In the Journal of Religion and Health. Feb. 2015 10.1007/s10943-015-0014-9

2014 “The Doniger Difficulty: Colonial Cotton and Swadeshi Sensibilities,” India Review,

13:3, 287-289.

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2014 “Hinduism and the Other: A Madhva Position” in The Crisis of the Holy: Challenges and Transformations in World Religions, edited by Alon Goshen-Gottstein, Lexington.

2014 "Religious Perspectives On The Use Of Psychopharmaceuticals As An Enhancement Technology," co-authored. Hinduism section, Journal of Religion and Health, 53:5, 1440-1455. 2013 “Bhashya, Samvada, and Sadhana: Commentary, Debate, Attainment and Other

Takeaways from a Monastery in India,” Invited Blog for the Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion, (http://wabashcenter.typepad.com/12_surprises_when_lecturi/page/2/)

2013 “Category Formation and “Eastern” Religions,” Invited Blog for Bulletin for the Study of

Religion, Equinox Pub. (http://www.equinoxpub.com/blog/2013/06/7171/) 2013 “Yoga and the First Amendment” with M. Moriarity and C. Mikula, in The Federal

Lawyer, Aug., 69-76. 2013 "Asian Religious Context: Focus on Hinduism," in Religious Leadership: A Reference

Handbook. Edited by Sharon Henderson Callahan, Sage. 2013 "Livre Arbitrio, Capacidade para a Accao. Personalidade. Assassinos Natos: Karma e Predestinacao numa Tradicao Hindu. Um Exercicio em Etica “Hindu” in Ética: Teoria e

Prática (Edited and transalted by Cristina Beckert), Centro de Filosofia, Universidade de Lisboa.

2011 “Madhva Vedanta,” Brill’s Encyclopedia of Hinduism. 2011 “Madhva” in Oxford Bibliographies On-line. 2011 “Madhvacarya as Prophetic Witness,” Journal of Inter-religious Dialogue, 7. 2010 “Madhva Exclusivity: An Instance of Vaisnava Sectarianism,” Journal of Vaisnava

Studies, 19:1, 109-116. 2009 “Madhva Dialogue and Discernment” in Criteria of Discernment in Interreligious

Dialogue. Edited by Catherine Cornille, Cascade Books.

2008 “Hindu Bioethics?,” Journal of Law, Medicine, and Ethics, 36:1, 51-58. 2007 “Maya” Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Routledge-Curzon. 2007 “The Final Sacrifice: A Dead “Hindu,” A Missing Body, and a $7 Million Dollar Life- Insurance Policy?,” Method and Theory in the Study of Religion, 19:1-2, 58-71.

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2007 “Madhvacarya and Vyasatirtha: Biographical sketches of a Systematizer and his Successors,” Journal of Vaisnava Studies, 15:2, 145-168.

2007 “Madhva Vedanta and Krishna” in Primary Sources in the Krishna Tradition edited by E. Bryant, Oxford University Press. 2006 “Rejoinder to Zydenbos” Philosophy East and West, 56:4. 2006 “Hindu Leaders in North America?” in Teaching Theology and Religion, 9:2, 115- 120. 2005 “A Brief Note on Madhvacarya, Yoga, and Inappropriate Appropriation” Journal of

Vaisnava Studies, 14:1, 173-180. 2005 “Teaching Inside–Out: Demographic Changes and Methodological Challenges in Teaching the Religions of South Asia” Method and Theory in the Study of Religion 17:3,

227-230. 2005 “Modernity and Madhva Vedanta: The Beginning or End of an Esoteric Traditions?,”

Journal of Vaisnava Studies, 13:2, 5-21. 2004 “Hanuman qua Madhvacarya and Sita qua Laksmi: Traces of the Ramayana in Madhva Doctrine,” Journal of Vaisnava Studies, 12:2, 117-127. 2003 “Viewpoint: Fostering Interreligious Dialogue and Conversation,” Hindu-Christian

Studies Bulletin, 16, 58-59.

2003 “Madhva Vedanta Beyond India” Tatvavada: A Bimonthly Journal of Madhva Vedanta, 3, 90-93.

2001 “When is a Brahmin a brahmabandhu, an excluded Brahmin?,” Method and Theory in the Study of Religion, 13, 82-90.

2000 “Madhva Virtue Ethics and the Aptaguru, Reliable Teacher,” Journal of Vaisnava

Studies, 9:1, 69-90.

2000 “Let the Apta, Trustworthy, Hindu Speak!,” Journal of the American Academy of Religion, 68:4, 781-790.

2000 “Is Jesus a Hindu? S. C. Vasu and Multiple Madhva Misrepresentations,” Hindu-

Christian Studies Bulletin, 13, 19-25. 1999 “Regulating Religious Reading: Access to Texts in Madhva Vedanta,” Journal of Indian Philosophy, 27:6, 583-635.

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1997 “After What? Vyasatirtha's Arguments Regarding Eligibility and Theological Inquiry,” Journal of Vaisnava Studies, 5:3, 65-106. UNREFEREED SHORT ARTICLES 2011 “Indian Kalighat Paintings: A Delightfully Subversive Poke at British Colonialism”

Cleveland Art: The Cleveland Museum of Art Members Magazine 51:4. 2007 “On Teaching Sensitive Topics and Sensitive Students” in Asceticism, Identity, and

Pedagogy in Dharma Traditions. Dharma Association of North America. 2005 “The Creation and Transformation of Hinduism: A Crisis of the Holy” in The Crisis of

the Holy. Elijah Interfaith Institute. 2004 “On Madhva Vedanta” World Kannada Conference Commemoration Volume. 2004 “Sri Laksmi in Madhva Vedanta” NAMARUPA: Categories of Indian Thought. 2003 “Madhvacarya’s Tattvaviveka: a Translation and Annotated Commentary” NAMARUPA:

Categories of Indian Thought. EXHIBITIONS AND MUSEUM EXPERIENCE 2014 “Deepak Sarma on the Death of Personality.” Soundcloud recording included in DIRGE:

Reflections on [Life and] Death (March 7 – June 8 2014), Museum of Contemporary Art, Cleveland, OH. (https://soundcloud.com/moca-cleveland/deepak-sarma-on-the-death-of)

2014 “Simon Says “Nothing”: Deepak Sarma on Simon Evans,” Simon Evans: Only Words Eaten

by Experience (Nov. 1, 2013 – Feb. 16, 2014), Museum of Contemporary Art, Cleveland, OH, Jan. 16, 2014.

2013 Commentator for ArtLens, The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH. 2011 Indian Kalighat Paintings, Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH guest curator,

organizer and author, May 1, 2011-Sept. 18, 2011. Reviewed in the Plain Dealer by Steve Litt. July 17, 2011, “Everyday Exoticism” Sunday Arts, E1, E8. Opening talk, May 22, 2011. Tours and presentations. 2010 Moderator for “Ritual and Pilgrimage in World Religions,” Treasures of Heaven: Saints,

Relics, and Devotion in Medieval Europe Exhibition Program, (October 24, 2010), Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH.

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2009 Consultant for “Matter of Faith” Symposium, The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH.

RESEARCH GRANTS 2014-15 co-PI: “Immigrant Religions in Southern California: Global Religious Festivals in

Secular Cityscapes: Immigration, Politics, and Religious Performance in California.”

PI Jennifer Hughes, Associate Professor, Department of History, UC Riverside Grant from Religions in Diaspora and Global Affairs Humanities Lab,

University of California BOOK REVIEWS 2005 “Deutsch and Dalvi: The Essential Vedanta: A New Source Book of Advaita Vedanta,” Religious Studies Review, 31. 2005 “Brown’s Who Owns Native Culture?,”Religious Studies Review, 31. 2005 “Reuter’s My Life as a Weapon: A Modern History of Suicide Bombing,” Religious

Studies Review, 31. 2005 “Mohanty's Classical Indian Philosophy,” International Journal of Hindu Studies, 9. 2005 “Malkovsky’s Role of Divine Grace in the Soteriology of Sankaracarya,” International

Journal of Hindu Studies, 8.

2004 “Dhavamony's Hindu Spirituality,” International Journal of Hindu Studies, 7. 2004 “Fowler’s Perspectives of Reality,” International Journal of Hindu Studies, 7. 2004 “Sugirtharajah’s Imagining Hinduism: A Postcolonial Perspective,” Hindu-Christian Studies Bulletin 17:4. 2004 “Michaels’ Hinduism Past and Present,” Bulletin of the Royal Institute for Inter-Faith

Studies 6:1.

2002 “Ganeri’s Philosophy in Classical India,” Religious Studies Review, 28. 2002 “Mohanty’s Explorations in Philosophy: Indian Philosophy,” Religious Studies Review,

28.

2001 “Rangaswamy’s Namaste America: Indian Immigrants in an American Metropolis,” Religious Studies Review, 27.

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2001 “Charisma and Canon: Essays on the Religious History of the Indian Subcontinent,” Indian Review of Books, 10:9.

2001 “Bhattacharji’s The Indian Theogony: Brahma, Visnu & Siva,” Indian Review of Books, 10:3. 2001 “van Voorst’s Anthology of World Scriptures,” Religious Studies Review, 25. 2000 “Sharma's Classical Hindu Thought: an Introduction,” Indian Review of Books, 9:12. 2000 “Davis' The Path of Light,” Religious Studies Review, 26. 2000 “Lipner's The Bhagavadgita for Our Times,” Indian Review of Books, 9:10. 2000 “Jivanmukti in Transformation: Embodied Liberation in Advaita and Neo-Vedanta by

Andrew Fort,” South Asia Newsletter: The University of Chicago, 24:1. 2000 “Gupta's Emerging Voices: South Asian American Women Redefine Self, Family, and

Community,” Indian Review of Books, 9:1. 1999 “S. M. Srinivasa Chari's The Philosophy of the Vedantasutra,” Religious Studies Review,

25. 1998 “Clooney's Hindu Wisdom for All God's Children,” Hindu-Christian Studies Bulletin, 11. 1997 “Hatcher's Idioms of Improvement: Vidyasagar and Cultural Encounter in Bengal,”

International Journal of Hindu Studies, 1:3. 1997 “Singh's Women Reborn: An Exploration of the Spirituality of Urban Indian Women,”

Indian Review of Books, 6:12. 1997 “Laid Bare: Ramaswamy's Women's Spirituality in South India,” Indian Review of Books,

6:11. 1997 “Brockington's The Sacred Thread: A Short History of Hinduism,” Indian Review of

Books, 6:10. 1997 “Maxwell's The Gods of Asia: Image, Text, and Meaning,” Indian Review of Books, 6:9. 1997 “In Valhalla: Relativism, Suffering and Beyond: Essays in Memory of Bimal K. Matilal,”

Indian Review of Books, 6:8.

1997 “Idol Threats: Joshi's Critique of Hinduism and Other Religions,” Indian Review of Books, 6:5.

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1996 “Beyond Redemption: Ratnakar's Hinduism,” Indian Review of Books, 6:2. 1996 “Peddling Easy Answers: Sharma's Hinduism For Our Times,” Indian Review of Books,

6:1. 1996 “Goodall's Hindu Scriptures,” South Asia Newsletter: The University of Chicago, 20:3. 1996 “Daya Krishna's The Problematic and Conceptual Structure of Classical Indian Thought

about Man, Society and Polity: a critique,” Indian Review of Books, 5:11. 1996 “New Age Environmentalism: Sarma on Hinduism and Ecology: Seeds of Truth,” Indian

Review of Books, 5:9. 1996 “Silken Ties” book review on Silk and Religion for The Hindu, Magazine Literary

Review (May 5, 1996). 1996 “Silk and Religion,” Indian Review of Books, 5:8. JOURNAL AND EDITING EXPERIENCE 2008 - Journal of Hindu Studies. Editorial Board. 2009 - 2017 Religion & Education. Editorial Board. 2008 – 2012 South Asia Book Review Editor for Journal of Asian Studies. 2011 – 2012 Nidan: Journal of Hinduism, Editorial Board. 2007 – 2009 Book Notes Editor for Religious Studies Review. 2007 – 2008 Associate Editor for Journal of Hindu Studies. 2005 – 2007 Section Editor for Blackwell Religion Compass. 2005 Guest editor of Method and Theory in the Study of Religion. For articles generated

from “Teaching Inside–Out: Demographic Changes and Methodological Challenges in Teaching the Religions of South Asia,” a 2004 American Academy of Religion panel. 17:3.

2001-2003 Sophia: International Journal for Philosophy of Religion, Metaphysical Theology

and Ethics. Reviews Editor. 1999 – 2002 Hindu-Christian Studies Bulletin. Editorial Advisory Board.

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2000 Coeditor, Journal of Vaisnava Studies, Focus on the Madhva Sampradaya II, 9. 1997 Coeditor, Journal of Vaisnava Studies, Focus on the Madhva Sampradaya, 5. 1997 Editor and transcriber, “The Dvaita School of Vedanta: A Trilogy,” by Prof.

B.N.K. Sharma, Journal of Vaisnava Studies 5,17-34. 1997 Editor and transcriber, “Jiva and the brahman,” by Prof. D. Prahladacarya, Journal of Vaisnava Studies 5, 107-124. REVIEWER OF PROPOSALS FOR Blackwell Press Bloomsbury Press Cambridge University Press Columbia University Press International Journal of Hinduism Philosophy East and West RoutledgeCurzon Press Rowman and Littlefield Press Stanford University Press CONFERENCE PAPERS AND PRESENTATIONS AND INVITED LECTURES 2020 “Comparison as means of colonization, comparison as strategy to controvert: Madhva

Vedanta and Christianity,” Spalding Symposium on Indian Religions, to be held April 24-26, 2020 University of Edinburgh. To be presented.

2020 “A Long Strange Trip: The Use of a 12th Century Indian Sculpture in the cover art of the

first album of the Grateful Dead,” Southwest Popular/American Culture Association Annual conference, to be held February 19-22, 2020 Albuquerque, NM. To be presented.

2019 “An Asylum Case concerning Inter-caste Marriage, Hinduism, and Hindu Politics,”

Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Religion, (Nov. 24, 2019). 2019 “Hindu Bioethics,” Speaker for Masters In Bioethics Program, Columbia University, On-

line course. (November 15, 2019). 2019 “Gestational Surrogacy and Hindu Bioethics: The Karma of Genetics and the Genetics of

Karma,” American Society for Bioethics and Humanities Annual Meeting, Pittsburgh, PA. (October 27, 2018).

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2019 “On Hindu Bioethics: The Case of an Unwanted Circumcision of a Hindu Boy,” Gawande Speaker Series in Indian Religion and Philosophy, Ohio University (October 21, 2019).

2019 “Gestational Surrogacy and Hindu Bioethics: The Karma of Genetics and the Genetics of

Karma,” 4th Annual Reproductive Ethics Conference, Alden March Bioethics Institute at Albany Medical College (April 5, 2019).

2018 “On Hindu Bioethics: Respecting Diverse Beliefs in the Context of Western Standards of

Care,” Bioethics Grand Rounds, Cleveland Clinic (November 12, 2018). 2018 “Is There a Universal Bioethics? Can 'Western' Principles Be Applied to Hindu

Contexts?,” American Society for Bioethics and Humanities Annual Meeting, Anaheim, CA, (October 20, 2018).

2018 “Circumventing Methodological Challenges: Identity, Ritual, & the Case of the

Unwanted Circumcision of a Hindu Boy,” Religious Studies Colloquium, University of California, Riverside (October 19, 2018).

2018 “The Dharma and Karma of Hindu Bioethics,” Ethics Noon Conference, Cedar-Sinai

Medical Center (September 12, 2018). 2018 “Hindu Bioethics,” Webinar for the Takshashila Institution, Chennai/ Bangalore (August 15.

2018). 2017 “Hinduism and Bioethics: Some Basics and Some Applications,” American Society for

Bioethics and Humanities Annual Meeting, Kansas City, MO, (October 22, 2017). 2017 “The Madhva Sampradaya: Philosophical or Religious? Or Neither?,” Religion, Reason and

Faith: Cross Cultural Perspectives, Department of Philosophy, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada, (September 28-29, 2017).

2017 “Madhva Vedanta and Enlightened Bhakti: A Different Perspective,” Sri Ramanjacarya

Sahasrabdhi Birth Anniversary Celebration, Sri Siva Vishnu Temple, Lanham, MD, (April 15, 2017).

2017 “Dreadful Darsan/ Divisive Pedagogical Devices,” Midwest Art History Society

Conference. Cleveland, OH, (April 6-8, 2017) 2016 “Hinduism and Neurogenomics,” Bioethical Challenges in Neurogenomics. UNESCO/ The

University of Texas. Houston, TX, (Nov. 14-16, 2016). 2016 “Athato “Hinduism” Jijnasa: On Insiders and Outsiders in the Study of Hinduism with

Specific Reference to Madhva Vedanta.” Inaugural Lecture for the Centre of Religious

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Studies, Manipal Centre for Philosophy and Humanities, Manipal University, India. Aug. 11, 2016.

2015 “Circumcision: Balancing Religious and Cultural Mandates with Ethical, Legal, and

Medical Imperatives.” American Society for Bioethics and Humanities 2015 Annual Meeting. Oct. 25, 2015.

2014 Exhibition Seminar: Dharma and Darshan, Yoga and the Art of Transformation (June 22,

2014 – Sept. 7, 2014), Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH, (July 8, 15, 22, and 29, 2014).

2014 “Devising Yoga/ Yoga as a Device,” Exhibition Tour, Yoga and the Art of Transformation

(June 22, 2014 – Sept. 7, 2014), Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH, (July 11, 2014). 2014 Speaker in the Yoga and the Art of Transformation audio guide, (June 22, 2014 – Sept. 7,

2014), Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH. 2014 “Circumstantial Evidence: Identity, Ritual, & the Case of the Unwanted Circumcision of

a Hindu Boy,” Princeton University, Hindu Life Program, (March 6, 2014) 2014 “Censorship and Hinduism,” Princeton University, Hindu Life Program, (March 6, 2014) 2013 “DARE: Diversity; Articulating Race and Ethnicity,” Case Western Reserve University,

Power of Diversity Lecture Series, (April 9, 2013). 2012 Keynote speaker for the Salt Lake City Public Library’s annual Cultural and Religious

Pluralism Conference, (Dec. 1, 2012). 2012 “Diversity and the December Dilemma,” Case Western Reserve University, Train the

Champions, (April 17, 2012). 2012 "Karma, free will and problem of evil in Hindu tradition," Hindu Temple Omaha

Nebraska, (March 25, 2012). 2011 “Free Will, Agency, and Selfhood in Hinduism,” University of Lisbon, (Oct. 21, 2011). 2011 “Deep Learning Lurking Below the Deceptively Calm Waters of Divine Omnipotence:

Freedom and Freewill in Madhva Vedanta,” Center for the Study of World Religions, Harvard University, (Sept. 17, 2011).

2010 “Madhvacarya as Prophetic Witness,” Catholic Theological Society Meeting, (June 10,

2010). 2009 “Hindu Leaders in North America,” Princeton University, (April 3, 2009).

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2009 “The Tightrope: Walking the line between academia and practice,” Panelist. Princeton University, (April 2, 2009).

2008 “Hindu Bioethics?,” Works in Progress, Department of Bioethics, Case Western Reserve

University, (Dec. 10, 2008). 2008 “Hindu Bioethics?,” Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Religion, (Nov. 3,

2008). 2008 Presider and Organizer for “Axis Chicago: Comparative Study in Hyde Park and

Beyond” A panel for Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Religion, (Nov. 1, 2008).

2008 “Hinduism and Bioethics,” American Society for Bioethics and Humanities Annual

Meeting, (Oct 25, 2008). 2008 “Madhva Dialogue and Discernment,” Boston College Symposia on Interreligious

Dialogue, (Sept. 20-21, 2008). 2007 Respondent for “Globalizing South Asia: Religion, Imagination, Discourse, and Affect,”

Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Religion, (Nov. 19, 2007). 2007 Respondent for Ray Smith Symposium on Iconic Books at Syracuse University, (October

18, 2007). 2007 “The Final Sacrifice: A Dead “Hindu,” A Missing Body, and a $10 Million Dollar Life- Insurance Policy,” Asian Studies Symposium, University of Utah, (Sept. 7, 2007). 2007 “Hindu Worship,” Department of Philosophy, University of Utah, (Sept. 7, 2007). 2007 “Spirit Possession in a South Indian Temple,” Department of Philosophy, University of

Utah, (Sept. 6, 2007). 2007 Respondent for “Traditions of Hinduism in Diaspora,” Meeting of the Society for the Anthropology of Religion, (April. 15, 2007). 2007 “The Final Sacrifice: A Dead “Hindu,” A Missing Body, and a $10 Million Dollar Life- Insurance Policy,” Department of Religion, Emory University, (March 2, 2007). 2006 “Madhva Worship,” Annual Meetings of the Dharma Association of North America,

(Nov. 18, 2006). 2006 Respondent and Organizer for “Adhikara in the Dharma Diaspora,” Annual Meetings of

the Dharma Association of North America, (Nov. 18, 2006).

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2006 “Hinduism, Jainism, and Bioethics,” 13th Annual Thomas A. Pitts Memorial Lectureship, The Institute of Human Values in Health Care, the Medical University of South Carolina, (Sept. 8-9, 2006).

2006 “Hinduism in America: Where are the Leaders,” College of Wooster, Wooster, OH,

(April 16, 2006). 2006 “The Final Sacrifice: A Dead “Hindu,” A Missing Body, and a $7 Million Dollar Life-

Insurance Policy” Baker-Nord Center, Case Western Reserve University, (February 23, 2006).

2005 Invited Participant for “The Crisis of the Holy,” Esalen Institute, Taipei, (Nov. 28 – Dec.

2, 2005). 2005 “On Teaching Sensitive Topics and Sensitive Students,” Annual Meetings of the Dharma Association of North America, (Nov. 18-20, 2005). 2005 “Madhva Mysteries and Miracles,” Conference on the Study of Religions of India,

Albion College, Albion MI, (June 9 – 12, 2005). 2005 “Hinduism,” Ursuline College, Cleveland, OH, (February 16, 2005). 2004 Invited Participant for “Exploring the Nature of Our Offense: A Symposium on the Study

of Hinduism in a World of Identity Politics and Religious Intolerance,” Esalen Institute, (Dec. 16-19, 2004).

2004 Respondent and Organizer for “Teaching Inside–Out: Demographic Changes and

Methodological Challenges in Teaching the Religions of South Asia,” Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Religion, (Nov. 20, 2004).

2004 Presider and Organizer for “Book Prohibition and Censorship?,” A panel for the Society for Hindu-Christian Studies. Annual Meeting, (Nov.20, 2004).

2004 “Evolution and Hinduism,” Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH,

(November 17, 2004). 2004 “To be or not to be? A Madhva criticism of Maya and an Advaita Response,” The Oxford

Centre for Hindu Studies, (Oct. 15, 2004). 2004 “Modernity and Madhva Vedanta: The Beginning or End of an Esoteric Tradition?,” The

Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies, (Oct. 15, 2004). 2004 “How secret is a secret society? Madhva Vedanta, the Mleccha (Foreign) Scholar, and

Current Methodological Challenges,” School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, (Oct. 14, 2004).

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2004 “On Being a Hindu” John Carroll University, Cleveland, OH, (July 15, 2004). 2004 Panelist for “Finding the Brother in the Other: Overcoming Negative Images of Other

Faiths as We Build Our Religious Identities and Seek Common Ground,” Parliament of the World’s Religions, Barcelona, Spain, (July 11, 2004).

2004 Panelist for “Crisis of the Holy II,” Parliament of the World’s Religions, Barcelona, Spain, (July 9, 2004).

2004 Panelist for “Crisis of the Holy I,” Parliament of the World’s Religions, Barcelona,

Spain, (July 8, 2004).

2004 “Imagining Hinduism,” Plenary panel at 14th International Congress of Vedanta, Oxford, OH, (April 8-13, 2004).

2004 “On Being an Academic” for the Book and Snake Society, Yale University, (February 26, 2004). 2004 “An Indian-American Outlook on Racism in America,” Master’s Tea, Branford College, Yale University, (Jan. 2004). 2003 Presider and Organizer for “Can Women Become Priests?,” A panel for the Society for

Hindu-Christian Sudies, Annual Meeting, (Nov. 2003).

2003 Presider and Organizer for “Refutation and Ridicule: Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains As Seen by Others,” Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Religion, (Nov. 2003).

2003 “Madhva Mitigated Monotheism,” The Wahlstrom Lecture at the Oxford Centre for Hindu

Studies, (Oct. 31, 2003). 2003 “Basic Hindu Theology,” Gleacher Center at the University of Chicago, (March 22,

2003). 2003 “Hinduism? There is no such thing!,” Gleacher Center at the University of Chicago,

(March 15, 2003). 2002 “Racism in the American Academy,” Bangalore Social Sciences Forum, National College

of Bangalore, (Sept. 2, 2002). 2001 ‘A Madhva Reading of Bonaventure’s Journey of the Mind to God,” Society for Hindu-

Christian Studies, Annual Meeting, (Nov. 2001). 2001 “Ecology: A Dialogue Between a Buddhist and a Hindu,” with Professor Duncan

Williams for Salisbury University, Salisbury, MD, (October 3, 2001).

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2000 Panelist for “Coming Out (or Going In) as a Buddhist or Hindu in Academia,” Annual

Meeting of the American Academy of Religion, (Nov. 2000). 1999 “The Propriety of Promulgating a Proprietary Language: The Case of Madhva Vedanta

and the Diffusion of Sanskrit in Contemporary India,” Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Religion, (Nov. 1999).

1999 “Madhvacarya on Women, Sudras, and brahmabandhus, Unworthy Brahmins,” 28th

Annual Conference on South Asia, University of Wisconsin, Madison, (Oct. 15, 1999). 1998 Panelist for “Blunders, Plunders, and the Wonders of Fieldwork: Ethnographic Integrity

and the Study of South Asian Religions,” Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Religion, (Nov. 1998).

1998 Panelist for “Reading Through Hindu and Christian Lenses: The Sivajñanabodham,

Chapter 8,” Society for Hindu-Christian Studies. Annual Meeting, (Nov. 21, 1998). 1998 “Dream on, Devotee! Nocturnal Reality as the Locus for Religious Experience in

Madhva Vedanta,” Conference on Religion in South India, Annual Workshop, University of Florida, Gainesville, (June 19 - 22, 1998).

1998 “Madhvacarya and Jayatirtha on the Aptatva, the State of Being Reliable, of the Guru,” Midwest Regional American Academy of Religion, (March 21, 1998). 1997 “On adi, ativyapti and the adhikari in Madhva Vedanta,” 9th International Congress of

Vedanta in Rishikesh, India, (July 7-11,1997). 1997 “Madhva Vedanta; Is it Relevant to Contemporary Society?” for Ananya, G.M.L.

Cultural Academy, Bangalore, India, (June 28, 1997). 1997 “Rival Theories of Incompatibility in Vedanta,” 10th World Sanskrit Conference in

Bangalore, India, (Jan. 3-9, 1997). 1996 “atha ato brahmajijñasa: Vyasatirtha's Arguments Against the Advaita Vedanta

Position,” 8th International Congress of Vedanta, (Nov. 2, 1996). 1996 “After What? Vyasatirtha's Arguments Regarding Eligibility and Theological Inquiry,”

25th Annual Conference on South Asia. University of Wisconsin, Madison, (Oct. 18, 1996).

1996 “Exclusivist Strategies in Dvaita Vedanta,” 7th International Congress of Vedanta,

Madras, India, (Jan. 5, 1996).

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1995 “Theories of Incompatibility in Vedanta,” Pacific Northwest Regional American Academy of Religion, (April 27, 1995).

1995 “Exclusivist Strategies: The Practice of Dvaita Vedanta,” Reed College, Portland,

Oregon, (April 6, 1995). 1995 “Spiritual Healing and Predestination: An Examination of Dvaita Vedanta” Midwest

Regional American Academy of Religion, (April 1, 1995). 1994 “The Appropriation of the Bhagavad Gita in H.D. Thoreau's Walden; a Metacritique,”

Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Religion, (Nov. 20, 1994). 1994 “Several Damaging Arguments Posited By the Dvaitins,” 5th International Congress of

Vedanta, Oxford, OH, (Aug. 13, 1994).

FELLOWSHIPS, GRANTS, AWARDS, ETC. 2014 Dr. J. Bruce Jackson Award for Undergraduate Mentoring, Case Western

Reserve University. 2007 Carl F. Wittke Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award, Case

Western Reserve University. 2006-2007 Baldwin Fellowship, Case Western Reserve University. 2006 Baker-Nord Travel Grant, Case Western Reserve University. 2006 W. P. Jones Fellowship, Case Western Reserve University. 2005 W. P. Jones Fellowship, Case Western Reserve University. 2005 UCITE Learning Fellowship, Case Western Reserve University. 1998-1999 American Academy of Religion: Individual Research Assistance Grant 1997-1998 Committee on Southern Asian Studies, University of Chicago, Fellowship 1996-1997 Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Grant. 1996-1997 Committee on Southern Asian Studies, University of Chicago, Fellowship. 1995-1996 Committee on Southern Asian Studies, University of Chicago, Fellowship. 1995-1996 M. Ross Trust Fellowship. Divinity School of the University of Chicago.

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1994-1995 Committee on Southern Asian Studies, University of Chicago, Fellowship. 1994-1995 M. Ross Trust Fellowship. Divinity School of the University of Chicago. 1994 Jerald Brauer Fellowship, University of Chicago. 1993-1994 Committee on Southern Asian Studies, University of Chicago, Fellowship. 1998-1999 Committee on Southern Asian Studies, University of Chicago, Fellowship. 1992 Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago, Education Scholarship. 1991 Hindu Temple Society of North America, New York, Education Scholarship. 1991 Sri Venkatesvara Temple, Pittsburgh, PA, Education Scholarship. COURSES TAUGHT

Hindu and Jain Bioethics Comparative Studies of Religion: Scholasticism and Virtuoso Religious Readers

Insiders and Outsiders in the Study of Religion Method and Theory in the Study of Religion Introduction to Religious Studies

Introduction to Hinduism Devotion and Worship in Hinduism Indian Philosophy

Introduction to Buddhism Themes in Asian Religions

Introduction to Sanskrit Advanced Sanskrit

Introduction to World Religions Introduction to Philosophy Mysticism Religious Studies for Future Healthcare Professionals

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS American Academy of Religion Association for Asian Studies Associate of the Purnaprajna Samshodana Mandiram, Bangalore India Midwest Art History Society

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Society for Hindu-Christian Studies OTHER PROFESSIONAL DUTIES, ACTIVITIES, AND SERVICE TO THE

PROFESSION 2018- “Hinduism” section of the American Academy of Religion: Steering

Committee. 2017 US Department of Education: Fulbright-Hays DDRA evaluator. 2002 – 2013 List administrator for the e-list of the “Religions of South Asia” (RISA)

section of the American Academy of Religion. 640 members. 2010-2012 “Religions of South Asia” (RISA) section of the American Academy of

Religion: Steering Committee. 2006-2008 Comparative Theology Group of the American Academy of Religion: Co-

Chair 1999-2006 Society for Hindu-Christian Studies: President (2004 – 2006) Vice-president (2002 - 04) Nominated and Elected Member of the Board (1999 -2002). UNIVERSITY ACTIVITIES AND COMMITTEES 2016- Faculty Grievance Panel, Case Western Reserve University. 2016 Interim Chair of the Department of Religious Studies, Case Western Reserve

University (January – July, 2016). 2014 – 2017 College of Arts and Sciences Committee on Appointments, Case Western Reserve

University. 2012 – 2013 Faculty Senate Minority Affairs Committee, Case Western Reserve University. 2012 Faculty Senate, Case Western Reserve University, Fall Term. 2011 – 2012 Kelvin Smith Library (KSL) Task Force on the Acquisition and Retention of

Library Materials: Format and Storage, Case Western Reserve University. 2011- Coordinating the South Asia Initiative, Case Western Reserve University. 2009–2010 Co-chair Islam Search Committee, Case Western Reserve University.

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2006 Dean’s Search Committee, Case Western Reserve University, Fall Term. 2004-08 Academic Integrity Board, Case Western Reserve University. 2004-2006 Baker-Nord Center for the Humanities, Case Western Reserve University:

Steering Committee. 2004-2005 Faculty Advisor of the Hindu Students Association, Case Western Reserve

University 2004 – 2005 Share the Vision Committee, Case Western Reserve University,. TEACHING AND RESEARCH INTERESTS Cultural Theory, Post/ Neo Colonialism, Comparative Studies, Comparative Relgion, South Asian religious and philosophical traditions, especially Hinduism, South Asian Art, Vedanta and Indian Philosophy, Madhva School of Vedanta, Sanskrit, Method and theory in the study of religion, Comparative philosophy of religion, museology. LANGUAGES Spanish (good reading skills, basic conversation) Sanskrit, German, French (reading) Tulu, Kannada (basic conversation) PUBLIC ACTIVITIES/ CONSULTANCIES 2002 -03 Curriculum consultant for the University of Chicago Lab Schools. 2002 -03 Curriculum consultant for Glenbrook High School, Illinois. VIDEOS/ DOCUMENTARIES (https://www.youtube.com/user/dsarmas) 2010 Hinduism and End of Life Care 2006 Hindu Bioethics: Haraidasa Bhat 2006 Jain Bioethics:Pontiff Charukeerthi Bhattarka Sri Swamiji 2005 Mahkali Darshan 2005 The Camara-seva and Ranga Puja at the Udupi Sri Krishna Temple

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BLOGS, PUBLIC TALKS, NEWSPAPER, AND OTHER MEDIA 2019 “Hinduism and Authority,” Baitul Ahad Mosque, Ahmadiya Muslim Community.

Bedford, OH. October 24, 2019. 2018 “Notions of the Afterlife,” Kol HaLev, Cleveland’s Reconstructionist Jewish

Community. November 11, 2018. 2018 Speaker for “Talk-Back Session” following Lisa Codrington’s adoption of Bernard

Shaw’s The Adventures of the Black Girl in Her Search for God. Karamu House, Cleveland Ohio. April. 1, 2018.

2017 Speaker for “Talk-Back Session” following Rajiv Joseph’s The Lake Effect. Karamu

House, Cleveland Ohio. Nov. 12, 2017. 2017 “When Rahu Swallows the Sun: The Eclipse According to One Hindu Myth.” Huffington

Post, August 2017. 2017 “Being Brown. Being ‘Basically White.’ Bombing Out.” Huffington Post, May 2017. 2016 Love and Lust in Hinduism, CWRU, Nov. 2016. 2016 “Hinduism and the Dharma of VSED (Voluntarily Stopping Eating and Drinking).”

Huffington Post, October 2016. 2016 “Hinduism, Brain Death, Organ Transplantation.” Huffington Post, September 2016. 2015 “Ganesh and Daksha: Paradigms for Xenotransplants?” Huffington Post, December 2015. 2015 “Holi Rollers: Religious Ecstasy in Spanish Fork/ Appropriate Appropriating?”

Huffington Post, November 2015. 2015 “You know it’s Gonna Get Stranger, Let’s Get on with the Show! Experiencing the

Grateful Dead Experience.” Huffington Post, July 2015. 2014 “Race Matters in the Classroom.” Huffington Post, December 2014. 2014 “Wendy and Woody: Generational and Geographic Joking and Jesting.” Huffington Post,

May 2014. 2014 “Where are the Learned Desi Voices?,” India Abroad, A13, April 4, 2013. 2014 “The Academic Study of Hinduism: An Alternative Future.” Huffington Post, Feb. 2014.

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2013 “The Naked Truth about India.” Huffington Post, Dec. 2013. 2013 “Diwali: Garlanding the Light of Diversity.” Huffington Post, Oct. 2013. 2013 “Hindu Art or Hindu Artifact? Museums and (Objectifying?) Hindu Objects.” Oct. 2013. 2013 “Dying to Be on a Yatra/ Pilgrimage.” Huffington Post, June 2013. 2013 “What Makes a University Great? Audacious Irreverence, That’s What!” Huffington

Post, June 2013. 2013 “Yoga and Pornography: The Problem of Definition.” Huffington Post, May 2013. 2013 “Mimicry? Mockery? Mimic. Cry.” Huffington Post, May 2013. 2013 “Who Owns Hinduism.” Huffington Post, May 2013. 2013 “Being Brown After the Boston Bomb Blast.” Huffington Post, April 2013. 2013 “Delhi Gang Rape: The Karma of Suffering and the Suffering of the Righteous.”

Huffington Post, Jan 2013. 2012 “The Hindu Santa 'Clause.'” Huffington Post, Dec. 2012. 2012 “Is Nothing Sacred?” Huffington Post, Nov. 2012. 2012 “Thanks, but No Thanks: Things This Indian-American From Cleveland Is NOT

Thankful for This Thanksgiving Day.” Huffington Post, Nov. 2012. 2012 Interviewed for WKCPW 88.3 FM Salt Lake City, Utah “City Views” (Nov. 29, 2012). 2012 “White Hindu Converts: Mimicry Or Mockery?” Huffington Post, Nov. 2012. 2012 “Affirmative Action And The 'Critical Mass' Of Diversity In Religious Studies Departments.” Huffington Post, Nov. 2012. 2012 “Is Sanskrit (In)dispensable for Hindu Liturgy?” Huffington Post, Oct. 2012. 2012 “Is Casting Aside Caste Possible? Can One Reclassify Class?” Huffington Post, Sept.

2012. 2012 “Interfaith Dialogue or Delusion.” Huffington Post, Aug. 2012.

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2012 “Wisconsin Temple Fatalities: Targeted for Looking Different.” Huffington Post, Aug. 2012.

2012 “Thinking about Yoga: Make Sure to Think the Right Thoughts.” Huffington Post, Jan

2012. 2011 "Diaspora Hinduism and the December Dilemma." Huffington Post, Dec. 2011. 2011 “Censoring Ramanujan's Essay On Ramayana: Intolerant Hindus And Confusing Texts." Huffington Post, Nov. 2011. 2011 "The Inquiry into Brahman is to be Undertaken." Huffington Post, Nov. 2011. 2011 "Should Hindus Study Hinduism?" Huffington Post, Nov. 2011. 2011 Quoted in The Plain Dealer, “Everyday Exoticism” (July 17, 2011, Sunday Arts, E1, E8). 2010 OpEd for the India Abroad, “The Conflict Can Be Resolved Through Samvada,” (Sept. 3,

2010). 2012 Quoted in The New York Times, “Pride and Concern Follow Success of Indian-

Americans,” (July 9, 2010). 2008 “The election and the religious landscape: Cleveland-area leaders and academics respond

to our question about the future” for the Plain Dealer (Nov. 3, 2008) http://www.cleveland.com/religion/index.ssf/2008/11/the_election_and_the_religious.html

2008 Interviewed for AM 1490 WERE Cleveland “Asian Hour” (September 7, 2008). 2008 Quoted in The Plain Dealer, “’Love Guru’ Stereotype Upsets Hindu Activists (June 19,

2008). 2007 Quoted in The Washington Post (September 15, 2007 p. B09). 2007 “Feminist Hindus?” for Crossroads, Cleveland, OH (September 14, 2007). 2007 “Asian and Pacific Islander Americans” keynote speaker for the Asian/ Asian Pacific Islanders American Observance Event of NASA Glenn (May 16, 2007). 2007 “Before You Sign the Contract” panelist for the Baker-Nord Center Publication Series,

Baker Nord Center for the Humanities, Case Western Reserve University (February 16, 2007).

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2007 “Madhva Vedanta” for Madhvacarya’s Navami celebrations at the Sri Mangala Mandir, Silver Springs, MD (January 27, 2007).

2006 “Kali Darshan” keynote speaker for the Kasthuri Kannada Sangha Cleveland September

24, 2006). 2006 “On Being An Asian-American” keynote speaker for the Asian/ Asian Pacific-American Cultural Program of the Defense Finance and Accounting Service Cleveland Center (May 23, 2006). 2004 “The Jain Doctrine of Syad Vada” for National Federation of Indian Associations

(October 31, 2004). 2003 “Madhva Vedanta” for Madhvacarya’s Navami celebrations at the Hindu Temple of

Greater Chicago, Lemont, Il (February 10, 2003).

2002 “Worship in a Hindu Temple” for Glenbrook South High School, presented at the Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago, Lemont, Il (October 25, 2002).

2001 “The Practice of Hinduism and Buddhism” for Salisbury Middle School, Salisbury, MD (October 18, 2001).

2001 Interview with Lisa Skullin on Erasing Stereotypes of Islam Reinforced by the Attack on America. WBOC TV, Delmarva CBS affiliate for Sunday Morning News program. Salisbury, MD (September 16, 2001, 8:00 AM).

2001 “Thoughts on India’s Independence” for the Salisbury Hindu Temple, Salisbury, MD (August 25, 2001).

2001 “Hindu Prayer: Forms and Uses” for the Mystic Episcopal Church, Mystic, CT (April 1, 2001).

1999 “The Three Schools of Vedanta” for the Sri Ganesa Temple, Nashville, TN (April 18, 1999).

1999 “Kavya and Rasa Theory” for the Sri Ganesa Temple, Nashville, TN (March 28, 1999). 1999 “The Importance of Studying Religion” for the Sri Ganesa Temple, Nashville, TN

(March 21, 1999).

1998 Interview: Greenstar Television for episode on Hinduism in the “Religions of the World” series (Nashville, TN, June 30, 1998).

1997 “On Navaratri in South India” for the Hindu Students Organization, Columbia University

(Oct. 1, 1997).

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1997 Columnist for the Indian Express newspaper. 1996 “Indian 'Philosophy;' a History and its 'Culmination' in Vedanta” for the Hinduism Club,

Queens, New York (Nov. 23, 1996).

1994 “Vedanta: an Introduction” for the Hinduism Club at A.T.&T. Corp., Naperville, IL (Oct. 23, 1994).