About Feminine Spirituality – Mission, Vision & Authors

Our Inspiration

At the heart of Feminine Spirituality lies a profound truth: the feminine essence—rooted in qualities such as receptivity, emotional depth, and relational wisdom—is vital not only for individual transformation, but also for a balanced society and spiritual growth.

Our purpose is to uncover the original context in which the feminine was valued within Vedic śāstra and to illuminate the deeper meanings embedded in these sacred portrayals.

Through thoughtfully designed courses and an engaging online presence, the Center for Feminine Spirituality—a dedicated project of Jiva Institute of Vedic Studies, Vrindavan—invites seekers to explore these timeless insights from Vedic scriptures, offering guidance for both everyday living and inner spiritual growth.

With this vision in mind, the Center for Feminine Spirituality is guided by the following objectives:

To Provide Authentic Knowledge on the Depiction of Women and Feminine Symbolism in Śāstra:
At the Center for Feminine Spirituality, we offer accessible and insightful teachings on how women and feminine symbolism are portrayed in Vedic scriptures (śāstra). Through our Vrindavan center and online platforms, we invite seekers of all backgrounds to engage with these sacred narratives and uncover their timeless wisdom and spiritual relevance.
To Be a Space for Honest Inquiry:
We welcome all questions— whether they arise from general interest about women’s positions and contributions in traditional societies or from deeper explorations of misunderstood or controversial verses. We encourage open, respectful dialogue rooted in scriptural wisdom.
To Connect Timeless Wisdom with Today’s Realities:
We explain the intent and context of śāstric teachings with sensitivity—honoring tradition while making its wisdom accessible, meaningful, and relevant to the challenges of modern life.
To Dispel Misconceptions about the Feminine in śāstra:
We are committed to clarifying common misunderstandings about women, feminine archetypes and symbolism in śāstra, restoring the deeper meaning and dignity of these teachings.
To provide clarity on the art of poetic relish in śāstra: We offer a unique approach to exploring poetic relish in Vedic śāstra—revealing how beauty, emotion, and refined taste enrich spiritual insight and devotion.
To Strengthen Feminine Identity Through Spiritual Self-Acceptance:
By offering balanced and authentic perspectives, we invite women to reconnect with their innate spiritual dignity—beyond societal labels and external roles.
To Harmonize Society by Recognizing the Feminine: When women are spiritually nourished and confident in their identities, their relationships naturally flourish. This contributes to healthier families and a more harmonious society, where feminine values are recognized as essential for both collective well-being and spiritual growth.

Meet the people who have inspired and shaped these courses:

Our Team

Satyanarayana Dasa Babaji

Inspiration behind the Center for Feminine Spirituality

Satyanarayana Dasa Babaji (PhD in Sanskrit) is the guiding inspiration behind the Center for Feminine Spirituality. From an early age, Babaji felt a deep affinity with India’s spiritual teachings and rich cultural heritage. Raised in a traditional family environment, he witnessed firsthand the essential and dignified role of women as the heart of society. This formative experience has profoundly shaped his lifelong commitment to honoring the feminine spirit of devotion on the spiritual path.

In his teachings on the Sandarbhas and commentaries on the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, Babaji explains how the ultimate purpose of the Vedic scriptures is to awaken love for the Divine. He reveals how the amorous pastimes depicted in these texts serve as symbolic expressions of this divine love and are primarily portrayed through feminine characters. These portrayals, he emphasizes, invite us to look beyond mundane romantic interpretations and enter into their sacred, transcendental meaning.

Jaya Devi

Founder of the Center for Feminine Spirituality

Jaya Devi (PhD in Sanskrit) is dedicated to highlight the aesthetic beauty and spiritual depth of Vedic wisdom, which offers timeless guidance for both daily living and inner transformation.

Vedic teachings are often misinterpreted due to a lack of understanding of the original language , symbolic depth or cultural context. Such misunderstandings conceal their profound value and their relevance to spiritual growth. Jaya Devi is inspired to preserve and promote their authentic interpretation.

Her own journey began with doubts about how women were portrayed in these texts, However, after studying Sanskrit and delving deeply into the scriptures under the guidance of her guru, Sri Satyanarayana Dasa Babaji, she discovered how the multiple descriptions of the feminine in Vedic wisdom are particularly important for spiritual advancement. This revelation inspired her to write From Taj to Vraj: A Feminine Spiritual Odyssey, a personal account of her transformation from materialistic ideals to a profound recognition of the feminine as an integral aspect of spiritual growth.

In addition to her book, Jaya Devi has co-authored The Yoga of Eating and Spiritual Health with her guru and translated the Bhagavad Gita and Hitopadesha from Sanskrit into Dutch, in collaboration with Professor Winand Callewaert, D.Lit.

Through her writings, courses and online presence, Jaya Devi continues to inspire and guide countless individuals on the path of feminine spirituality, highlighting its transformative power for personal and spiritual growth.

Mallika Devi

Coordinator of the Center for Feminine Spirituality

Mallika Devi is the dedicated coordinator of the Center for Feminine Spirituality. Her mission is to teach the transformative principles of Feminine Spirituality. She believes that a true understanding of the feminine nature can dramatically enhance the quality of life.

Born in Italy, Mallika has pursued her studies across various countries. She holds a Master's degree in Pedagogy, specializing in intercultural studies, from the University of Cologne in Germany. Additionally, she completed Ayurvedic Therapist Training at the renowned Chakrapani Clinic in Jaipur, India.

Mallika teaches Ayurvedic lifestyle practices such as self-massage and self-face massage during Spiritual Well-being Weekends, offering practical tools to nurture the body, mind, and spirit.

Ladili Devi

Research Scholar and Video Editor

Ladili Devi is a research scholar of the Shrimad Bhagavatam. She also contributes as a video editor for the Center for Feminine Spirituality. Deeply passionate about the meaning of feminine emotions described in Vedic scriptures, Ladili's work explores the intersection of these themes with spiritual teachings.

She holds a Master's degree in Social Solidarity Economy and a diploma in Panchakarma therapy from the Jiva Institute, further enriching her understanding of holistic well-being and spiritual practice.

Ananga Manjari

Coordinator of the Spiritual Well-Being Weekends

Ananga Manjari is the coordinator of the Spiritual Well-Being Weekends, dedicated to helping individuals embrace holistic well-being through the principles of Feminine Spirituality. Born in France, Ananga studied Ayurveda at Terre-du-Ciel and is a qualified Ayurvedic Practitioner and Consultant.

Her mission is to raise awareness about Feminine Spirituality as a vital foundation for personal and societal transformation. During the Spiritual Well-Being Weekends, Ananga teaches Jivananda Yoga exercises, Ayurvedic lifestyle practices such as self-massage, and guides participants in creating personalized diet plans to support balanced living.

Joshika Richmond

Guest Speaker Vedic Psychology

Joshika Richmond is a Western-educated Psychologist who integrates a person-centred approach to help clients actualize their full potential. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Development from the University of California, Davis, a Master of Business in Hotel Management from Cornell University, and a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling from Walden University.

Having studied Vedic Psychology under the guidance of Satyanarayana Dasa Babaji, Joshika combines Eastern and Western perspectives of the mind. She leads workshops at the Center for Feminine Spirituality, exploring women's psychology and offering transformative insights into mental and emotional well-being.

Kamala Devi

Guest Speaker Organic Cooking and Cow Seva

Kamala Devi shares her expertise in cooking for health while emphasizing the spiritual significance of cow seva and organic gardening.

She highlights how cows embody the essence of feminine love, nurturing their newborn calves with care and generosity. Remarkably, cows extend their nurturing nature by sharing their milk not only with their calves but with all of us.

Kamala explains that cow seva is a simple yet profound practice, offering a unique and heartfelt way to connect with the Divine.

Priyanka Pandey

Guest Teacher - Indian Dance

Priyanka Pandey brings the rich tradition of Bharata Natyam to life through her teaching of contemporary Indian dance rooted in this classical art form.

She holds a Master’s degree in Art from Kanpur University and a diploma in Naturopathy from Akhil Bharatiya Prakritik Chikitsa Parishad College in New Delhi, India.

Passionate about the transformative power of movement, Priyanka inspires women to embrace devotional dance as a profound way to connect with themselves, build meaningful connections with others, and deepen their relationship with the Divine.