The Misunderstood in London - 1966 |
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 critical acclaim 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 near to Richard's Vrindavan ashram |
Richard as a Vaishnav mendicant |
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
to religious devotion and public service. Under
Swami Bon's guidance Richard studied arduously and became proficient
in the Sanskrit, Hindi & Bengali languages.
At the same time he helped Swami Bon build two schools in Nandagram
and Vrindavan (U.P.), India |
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."
With his Indian religion and language proficiency Hrisikesh earned
the monastic title Lalitananda Vana 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 Vijnana Bhavan
in 1972. |
Richard with India's President, H.E. V.V. Giri |
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 helped to build a separate
Youth Centre and Public Library in the town square.
Note: All three of Richards affiliated schools (Nandagram, Vrindavan
and Nepal) are still in operation today. |
Richard has created over 18,000 numbered jewel talismans |
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-Browns 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).
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 book based on the script, Like, Misunderstood, was published in 2007, and a novel based on the book, I Unseen, was written by Paul Swainson in 2012.
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Richard has published 12 Gemology & Design Books |
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©1996 Astral Gemstone Talismans
All Rights Reserved
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