Radhanath Swami, born Richard Slavin in Chicago to a Jewish-American family, is a prominent American-born Gaudiya Vaishnava swami and spiritual leader within the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). After journeying to India in search of spiritual understanding, he became a disciple of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder of ISKCON, and later accepted the renounced order of life (sannyasa). Within the broad landscape of contemporary bhakti traditions, he stands out as one of ISKCON’s senior gurus, known both for his scriptural grounding and his capacity to communicate devotional principles in an accessible manner.

Within ISKCON’s institutional framework, his role is both spiritual and administrative. He serves as an initiating guru with many disciples worldwide and is a member of ISKCON’s Governing Body Commission (GBC), the movement’s top managerial and spiritual authority. He is closely associated with the Radha Gopinath Temple in Mumbai, where he provides spiritual leadership and guidance to the community. Through this service, he has helped shape a vibrant congregational culture centered on devotional practice, study of sacred texts, and community service.

Beyond temple leadership, Radhanath Swami is known for fostering educational and charitable initiatives that reflect the social dimension of bhakti. Under his inspiration, various projects have arisen in India, including hospitals, schools, and food distribution programs, which embody the ideal of compassion in action. His humanitarian work is complemented by an active engagement in interfaith dialogue, where he seeks common ground with other religious traditions while remaining rooted in Gaudiya Vaishnava theology. This combination of contemplative depth and social outreach has made him a bridge figure between ISKCON and broader religious and academic circles.

As an author and teacher, he has further articulated the inner journey of devotion. His spiritual autobiography, “The Journey Home,” along with his other teachings, presents the path of bhakti-yoga in a narrative and reflective style that resonates with seekers from diverse backgrounds. He regularly speaks at spiritual gatherings and educational institutions, emphasizing humility, compassion, and practical spiritual application in daily life. Through these multifaceted roles—guru, GBC member, community builder, humanitarian, and author—Radhanath Swami functions as a significant guiding presence in the ongoing development of ISKCON’s global mission.