Early Life & Background

David Frawley was born on September 21, 1950, in Wisconsin, USA. He grew up in a Catholic family as one of nine siblings. From a young age, he developed an interest in spiritual and metaphysical subjects, reading widely and exploring different traditions.

Spiritual Journey & Conversion

Over time, his studies drew him deeper into Vedic traditions, yoga, and Ayurveda. Eventually, he converted to Hinduism and was given the Vedic name Vamadeva Shastri.
He narrates this personal transformation in his spiritual autobiography, How I Became a Hindu, where he describes his path from a Christian upbringing to embracing Vedic dharma.

Education & Training

Frawley is largely self-taught in many traditional fields. He studied Ayurveda under Dr. B. L. Vashta in Mumbai for about a decade. He also earned a Doctor of Oriental Medicine degree through correspondence from the International Institute of Chinese Medicine in Santa Fe, New Mexico. In recognition of his work, he has been awarded honorary degrees (D.Litt) from Indian universities in the fields of Vedic and Yogic sciences.

Career & Contributions

He founded the American Institute of Vedic Studies in Santa Fe, New Mexico, which became a major center for the study of Ayurveda, Yoga, Vedic astrology, and Hinduism.

As an author, he has written over 40 books on subjects such as Yoga, Ayurveda, Astrology, Vedas, and Hindu philosophy. Many of these works have been translated into several languages. Some of his notable books include:

Yoga and Ayurveda: Self-Healing and Self-Realization

The Yoga of Herbs

Astrology of the Seers

Ayurvedic Healing

Shiva: The Lord of Yoga

Honors & Recognition

In 2015, the Government of India awarded him the Padma Bhushan, the nation’s third highest civilian honor, for his contributions to the dissemination of Vedic knowledge worldwide. He is widely respected as one of the foremost Western-born teachers of the Vedic tradition.

Philosophy & Influence

David Frawley’s life work emphasizes that Veda, Yoga, Ayurveda, and Vedic Astrology are interconnected streams of a single tradition. His teachings aim to bring these disciplines into holistic practice for modern seekers. He has also challenged conventional academic perspectives on Indian history, particularly regarding the origins of Vedic civilization.