SHORT
BIOGRAPHY
The
Misunderstood in London - 1966 (Richard is 2nd from the left) |
Richard
Shaw Brown, the founder of Astral
Gemstone Talismans and the Planetary
Gemologists Association Global, was born the only son of Col.
Richard S. Brown, Sr. (USAF retired) and Elizabeth “Bette”
Mae Brown.
Richard experienced his first taste of fame as the lead singer
and song writer of the innovative international rock group “The
Misunderstood,” which rose to stardom in London during
the late Sixties at the same time the Beatles were taking the
world by storm. |
Just
as major musical success was assured, the American Army draft
claimed lead singer, Rick Brown for the Vietnam War; and the group
was forced to disband. Already a pacifist, he opposed the War
and was a conscientious objector.
Fortuitously, at this point Richard met and was instructed by
the exalted Indian Guru, Swami
Bhaktivedanta Prabhupada, who ordained him “Hrisikesh.”
With his new-found direction in life Richard (now Hrisikesh) chose
to leave America; bound to study and practice Vedic religion at
the holy pilgrimage town of Vrindavan in Northern India. |
Madan
Mohan Temple next to Richard's Vrindavan ashram |
Richard
as Swami Lalitananda |
In
Swamiji's absence, under the watchful guidance of his foster-Guru,
Tridandi
Swami Bhakti Hridaya Bon Maharaj, he lived the ascetic life
of a traditional monk for six and a half years; devoting himself
entirely to religious devotion and public service. |
| Under
Swami Bon's guidance Richard studied arduously and became proficient
in the Sanskrit, Hindi & Bengali languages. |
Primary
School in Nandagram, U.P., India - 1970 |
At
the same time, he helped Swami Bon build two schools in Nandagram
and Vrindavan (U.P.), India
|
Institute
of Oriental Philosophy. Vrindavan, U.P., India - 1972 |
Through
his public service he was befriended by India's President V.V.
Giri and the Chairman of India’s Law Commission, Dr. Gajendra
Gadkar. His dedicated public service also brought him close relationships
with many Indian industrial giants, such as Jai Dayal Dalmia,
D. M. Kathau, G. D. Somani, Dr. Kailash, Srimati Sumati Morarji,
L. N. Birla, Hans Raj Gupta, Major Kapil Mohan, actor Devanand,
and numerous uppermost Indian dignitaries, movie stars and VIPs.
From 1972 to 1973 Richard was appointed Secretary to the Institute
of Oriental Philosophy in Vrindavan, India; as well as Assistant
Editor of the Institute’s quarterly Journal, “Indian
Philosophy & Culture.” |
India’s
President, H.E. Sri V.V. Giri receives Richard at Rastrapati
Bhavan, Delhi, India - 1971 |
L-R:
Institute Principal Dr. C.L. Goswami, Lt. Gov. Baleswar Prasad,
Swami Bon Maharaj, Delhi Mayor Hans Raj Gupta, and Swami Lalitananda |
With
his Indian religion and language proficiency, Hrisikesh earned
the monastic title Swami Lalitananda and addressed audiences on
many occasions, including the classical Indian discussion among
scholars on the 18,000-verse "Srimad Bhagavatam"; which
he organized at New Delhi’s premiere venue, the Vijnana Bhavan,
in 1972. |
|
After
7 years of public service in India, he was inspired to rejoin
his true spiritual master, Swami Bhaktivedanta Prabhupada, who
ordered him to give up the monastic title which had been awarded
him by Swami Bon and return to his original spiritual name -
Hrisikesh. Under Swamiji's order he moved to Nepal where
he became involved in construction of a School in Dhulkhel,
Sri Hari Siddhi Primary School. There Richard also built a separate
Youth Centre and Public Library in the town square.
Note: All three of Richard’s schools (Nandagram, Vrindavan
and Nepal) are still in operation today.
|
Sri
Hari Siddhi Primary School, Nepal |
|
|
A
strange twist of fate involved him in a new ruby mine located
in Southern India. It ignited his interest in gemstones and inspired
him to undertake an in-depth study of the ancient Sanskrit classics
concerning gemology; which he uses as reference books until today.
Combining his technical knowledge of gems with the planetary aspects
revealed to him in the Sanskrit texts, Richard Brown began developing
his own unique system of designing auspicious Astral
Gemstone Talismans. |
| After
12 years in Asia, in 1979 he returned to America to complete his
formal technical training at the Gemological Institute of America
(G.I.A.). Subsequently he moved to the Kingdom of Thailand where
he has established himself as an International authority on planetary
gemology and a cutting-edge fine jewellery designer; continuing
to grow in distinction. |
Richard
Shaw-Brown’s first book on gems, “Sri Chintamani Astro
Jewels,” was published in 1975. He has now authored nine
books on astral gemstones and their powers, including; “Handbook
of Planetary Gemology” and “Ancient
Astrological Gemstones & Talismans.”
Richard has also written four books on Vedic mysticism, including
“Sri Bepin Sakhi Vilas”
which was first published in 1970. A large archives of articles
by Richard is named Mystic
Articles.
Since moving to Thailand Richard has appeared on TV 30 times,
published over 240 articles, authored nine big books on Gemology
and jewelry design, and given numerous talks and lectures on Planetary
Gemology (Graha-anukula-ratna-vishesajna). |
Some
of Richard's Gemology & Design Books
|
In
1988 a book by American writer Daniel P. Reid, Rishi, was written
about Richard's early life.
A movie screenplay based on Richard's life was written in 2002
by British music historian Mike Stax and is under development
for adaptation as a motion
picture. A novel based on the script,
Like, Misunderstood, was published in 2007. |
H.R.H.
Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn receives an offering from Richard
Brown in Bangkok - 1997 |
Richard
Shaw-Brown II is a resident of Thailand where he lives with his
wife Navaratna and their son Jiva. |
| H.E.
General Prem Tinsulanonda, Thai Royal Privy Council President
& Former Prime Minister, receives Richard and his family.
L-R: Col. Brown, General Prem, Jiva Brown, Richard Brown II, Bette
Brown, and Navaratna Brown • 2000 |
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