Monk. Spiritual Leader. Motivational Speaker.
On December 27th, 1948, in the small town of Utica, New York, His Holiness Romapada Swami took birth as Brian Rumbaugh. Romapada Swami was born into a middle-class, Christian family, and was the youngest of five children. Even at very young age, Romapada Swami was known as a responsible, principle-centered, and high achieving young boy.
Romapada Swami exhibited an attraction to God from an early age; he deeply contemplated the Bible’s messages and was inspired by his weekly church attendance. In his teenage years, Romapada Swami tried to understand and imbibe the Great Commandment. However, his spiritual superiors at that time were unable to provide satisfactory answers to his core questions. Romapada Swami launched into a period of self-exploration and inquiry into various spiritual traditions. It was not until he met his spiritual master, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (commonly addressed at Srila Prabhupada), that he found clear and convincing answers to his core questions – and many more.
Romapada Swami’s first encounter with Krishna consciousness (bhakti yoga – the practice of devotional service) came in Buffalo, New York, in the shape of a lecture at the State University of New York in 1969. The lecturer was Srila Prabhupada and he was accompanied by the famous poet, Allen Ginsberg, who led the chanting of the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra. This experience left a deep impression on Romapada Swami’s heart. Romapada Swami was spontaneously and intuitively attracted.
Romapada Swami felt an intense appreciation for Srila Prabhupada and the sacrifices he made to bring bhakti yoga to the Western world in order to deliver souls like himself from rampant materialism. Romapada Swami joined the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) and moved into the temple. Despite being admitted as a pre-medical student, Romapada Swami decided to follow his spiritual path 100% and never looked back; he realized that many people become physicians to treat the physical body, yet few become doctors to treat the soul. Romapada Swami’s decision for life was made.
Romapada Swami was initiated in 1971 by his spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada. His devotional career began with book distribution, college outreach, and temple leadership and continued for over a decade. Romapada Swami spent many years in the New York temple and served as the temple president and congregational chanting (sankirtana) leader. In 1983, Romapada Swami accepted the sannyasa, or renounced, order of life. He traveled extensively throughout the United States and Europe, sharing Krishna consciousness. In 1985, Romapada Swami became an official initiating spiritual teacher within ISKCON. In 1992, Romapada Swami began serving as a member of the General Body Commission (GBC). Romapada Swami has traveled extensively throughout the world teaching bhakti yoga and serving on the GBC for many temples within ISKCON.
In his efforts to share Krishna consciousness with others, Romapada Swami draws on the benefits he himself gained from the university outreach programs that he attended in the 1960s. He is dedicated to college outreach and education and has spearheaded the creation of numerous Krishna conscious student organizations in reputed universities such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), University of Illinois, Penn State, Northwestern University, Washington University in St. Louis, University of South Florida, to name a few. Romapada Swami continues to encourage programs that fulfill students’ spiritual needs.
Romapada Swami shares bhakti yoga with a wide range of audiences. He has been a guest speaker at Fortune 500 corporations such as Intel, Microsoft, Lucent, Cisco, and Fannie Mae. In addition to this, for over thirty years, multiple annual, spiritually nourishing retreats have been conducted by Romapada Swami. He also leads an annual pilgrimage to various sacred sites within India.
Romapada Swami’s focus is to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to learn the teachings of his spiritual master and to provide meaningful, practical methods through which everyone can develop their relationship with the Supreme.