Dr. Satish Prakash was born in 1953 in an Arya Samajist home in Guyana, South America. At the age of seven, he chanted Veda Mantras in such a manner that his parents and local Arya Samaj elders were convinced he would have taken an inner interest in Mantras in his later life. At the age of twelve, he edited and circulated a transliterated and translated version of the Havan Mantras for use among young Hindu worshippers. Dr. Satish Prakash was nurtured in the tradition of Sandhyaa and Havan since his early childhood. During the years he studied Modern Languages at the University of Guyana, he was extensively involved in researching and teaching Maharshi Dayananda’s writings on rituals. During his undergraduate years at the University of Guyana, Dr. Satish Prakash organized several seminars and camps in which he lectured on the teachings of the Veda. In 1978, he wrote and published an Anthology titled, The Veda – What It Can Teach Us. This book has been used for years by thoughtful minds seeking to grasp the inner meaning of the Veda.
In 1974, Dr. Satish Prakash graduated from the University of Guyana with a first degree in Spanish and French. IN 1977, he travelled to India to study Sanskrit Grammar and Etymology according to ancient methods of instruction. In 1985, he earned his Doctor of Philosophy degree from Gurukul Kangri University, Haridwar India, studying Sanskrit Grammar and Etymology for eight years, according to ancient methods of Gurukula education. For his Ph.D. dissertation, Dr. Prakash worked on “A Critical Estimate of Maharshi Dayananda’s three principal texts – the Satyaarth Prakaash, the Sanskaar Vidhi, and the Rigvedaa’di Bhaashya Bhoomikaa”. In critically evaluating universally acclaimed Sanskaar Vidhi, Dr. Prakash studied practically the whole range of ritual literature – the Grihya and Shrauta Sutras – and conducted interviews with a host of scholars dedicated to the subject. During the eight years he spent with his Acharyas, Dr. prakash studied the Vedic limbs and sub-limbs (Anga Upaanga) and other exegetical works called Braahmana, Aaranyaka, Praatishaakhya, and Sutra. He has had intensified discussions with celebrated scholas involved in researching the Veda. He brings to the West an in-depth understanding of the Etymological Method of Vedic Interpretation structured by Yaask Muni thousands of years ago, and rejuvenated by Rishi Dayananda Saraswati in modern times.
Dr Satish Prakash has evolved into becoming a thinker and writer of considerable caliber. He currently resides and teaches in New York City and travels to many parts of the Arya/Hindu world lecturing on Veda and allied subjects of Sanskrit Literature. He is considered one of the foremost exponents of the Maharshi Dayananda School of Vedic Religion and Philosophy.
Today, Dr. Satish Prakash serves as the Principal Guru, Spiritual Leader, and the Chief Executive Officer of the Institute of Vedic Studies.