The Audarya Award

The spirit of Audarya

The original World Vaisnava Association (Visva Vaisnava Raj Sabha) announcement described audarya as the highest magnanimity towards fallen souls, reflecting the spirit of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu as expressed by Srila Rupa Goswami. The award was intended to recognise service that helps uplift people through Vaisnava teachings and activities.

The Vrindavan Institute for Vaisnava Culture and Studies was named as a sponsor of the proposed biennial awards, welcoming contributions from Vaisnavas associated with or participating in the WVA. The announcement proposed selection by a board of five sannyasis from five different WVA missions.

Sixteen fields of contribution

The original announcement proposed recognition in the following fields:

1. Book publicationVaisnava literature in any language
2. Film productionA film conveying a Vaisnava message
3. Temple construction
4. Traditional music recording
5. Innovative music recording
6. Vaisnava communityDesign, worship and preaching projects
7. Drama presentationScript and production
8. Dhama sevaActivities improving the condition of sacred dhamas
9. Vaisnava journal
10. Art contributionSculpture, painting, installations or festival carts
11. WebsiteInternet homepage
12. Innovative preachingCreative presentation of the glories of Vaisnavism
13. Vaisnava charity
14. Vaisnava unityEfforts to strengthen cooperation
15. Applied ecologyIn a Vaisnava project
16. Distribution of Vaisnava literature

Original nomination and entry guidance

Contributions in any language could be nominated by anyone. A brief English description was requested with supporting materials, such as recordings, photographs, books, written descriptions or video. The original announcement stated that an entry need not be newly produced, but could only be entered once.

For an organisation receiving an award, the organisation would select the person accepting it on its behalf.

Recognition described in the original proposal

The announcement listed the following proposed recognition for award recipients:

• A certificate.
• A bronze plaque embossed with Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai, inscribed with the recipient’s name and service contribution.
• An undisclosed gift.
• A one-month Vrindavan parikrama retreat, including accommodation and meals at Vrinda Kunja Guesthouse.
• A presentation of the contribution in the Visva Vaisnava Raj Sabha magazine.
• A free webpage presenting the winning contribution under the WVA–VVRS domain, designed by the WVA internet committee or the recipient.
• Inclusion of winners and nominated projects in a ‘The Best of Vaisnavism’ listing on the WVA website.

These benefits are reproduced from the original announcement and are not represented as currently available.

Unity through service

The initiative was offered by members of the Vrinda family with the hope of strengthening unity across the Vaisnava world and honouring those serving guru, Krishna and humanity.

Questions about the award?

For information about the initiative’s history or current status, contact the WVA.