June 26, 2025 | Celebration in honor of Padma Shri awardee Stephen Knapp

This moment is not only a tribute to Stephen’s decades of tireless service to Sanātana Dharma—it’s also a proud milestone for the Vedic Friends Association. With this recognition, Stephen becomes the third Padma Shri recipient on the VFA roster, joining the esteemed company of David Frawley (Vamadeva Shastri) and Subhash Kak, both world-renowned scholars in Vedic thought and science.

For those of us who’ve known Stephen over the years, we’ve witnessed firsthand the clarity, courage, and unwavering dedication with which he’s represented Sanātana Dharma—not just in academic circles, but in daily life. Through his books, talks, and tireless outreach, Stephen has made the profound wisdom of the Vedic tradition accessible to people all over the world.

And this isn’t just a personal achievement. It’s a collective victory—a moment of celebration for all of us who’ve worked to preserve and promote our Dharma with integrity. Stephen has been a trailblazer, helping open doors and build bridges for those following this path.

In today’s world, where Hindu voices are often misunderstood or misrepresented, Stephen’s work stands out. It’s grounded, respectful, and deeply authentic. He’s shown what it means to be both a student and a steward of Vedic wisdom.

So today, we don’t just say congratulations—we say thank you. Thank you for your service, your scholarship, and your steady example.

And knowing Stephen, I’ll say this: this award isn’t a stopping point—it’s just another step in his lifelong mission to share the light of Vedic knowledge with the world. And we at VFA are honored to continue walking this journey with him.

And just when Stephen thought he might be slowing down… it seems Shri Krishna had other plans! From what I hear, your life won’t be slowing down anytime soon --- it just hit fast-forward.

So, Stephen, here we are—your friends, well-wishers, and fellow scholars—all gathered to celebrate you and to wish you strength, joy, and continued inspiration for the many more years of service and wisdom-sharing still ahead.