Who Are You? Discovering Your Real Identity
What is your essence?
Is it matter — a mere collection of material atoms and molecules?
Or is it something else?
Science of Identity Foundation – Siddhaswarupananda

The Quest

An Enquiry Into The Existence And Nature Of The Supreme Being

By Tusta Krishna das
© Copyright 1980, 1999 by Science of Identity

About the Author Tusta Krishna Das is an internationally known teacher of sanatana dharma, the eternal religious principles outlined in Bhagavad-gita, Srimad Bhagavatam and other Vedic literatures. Since 1970, he has shared his insights and understanding with tens of thousands of people around the world, delivering lectures on Bhagavad-gita in more than 20 countries. He received a Masters degree in Gaudiya Vaishnava philosophy through the Special Majors program at Sonoma State University.

Tusta Krishna Das was born in the United States, and raised in a Christian family. In 1967, at the age of 18, he began to study the Vedic scriptures and the teachings of various yoga teachers such as Paramahamsa Yogananda, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Rama Krishna, Vivekananda and others. In early 1970, he became the disciple of his siksha gugu, Jagad Guru Siddhaswarupananda Paramahamsa, who influenced him profoundly and carried him beyond the path of impersonalism. In December of 1970, under Jagad Guru’s direction, he traveled to India and studied with the great saint, His Divine Grace Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad. In April 1971, he was initiated as a disciple of Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami, and received gayatri mantra from him. In 1972, he traveled to New Zealand where his preaching programs and work with young people gained national recognition. More recently, he has been instrumental in opening several ashrams in Poland, Ukraine, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Russia.

Tusta Krishna Das is a founding member of the World Vaishnava Association, an umbrella organization of more than 24 different Vaishnava missions, each guided by its own acharya or spiritual master.

Tusta Krishna Das continues to work closely with, and under the direction of, Jagad Guru who he considers the guiding force in his life and the inspiration for all that he does. “I am qualified to speak and write only because I have heard the Truth from him and because I am loved by him.” Tusta says. Jagad Guru is the founder of the Science of Identity Foundation and Chaitanya Mission, organizations dedicated to educating people throughout the world about the essence of the Vedic literature and the importance of living a life centered around devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Persons interested in the subject matter of this book can contact SIF or Chaitanya Mission for further information.

Dedication
I dedicate this book to my two Prabhupadas, Srila Siddhaswarupananda Paramahamsa Prabhupada and to Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Without their mercy and guidance this book would not have been possible.