Howard Beckman (Hamsavatar das) was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA in a family, including both gemstone merchants and practitioners of law. As a child, Howard found that he had clairvoyant abilities. His awareness of such other “dimensions”, as he terms it, lead him to studying philosophy of all cultures from his teenage years. He found a great wealth of knowledge and kinship with the philosophy of India and began to practice yoga and meditation by the time he was 16 years of age. Although he attended Temple University studying Philosophy and Religion his main attraction was to Eastern philosophical thought.

It was during this time he met his spiritual master, A. C. Bhaktivadanta Swami Prabhupada, who initiated him into the most esoteric teachings of Bhakti-Yoga and gave him his spiritual name Hamsavatar das.

Introduced to Vedic astrology (called “jyotish” in sanskrit) by another disciple of his teacher, Howard soon began to also study this most important science of prediction and divination. He was fortunate to be able to study with three jyotish masters in the years that followed. This, along with his constant practice of yoga and study of Vedic spiritual philosophy, kept Howard living in India for the next 10 years. During this time he would visit Thailand, delving further into the knowledge of precious gems and their powers to heal.

Upon returning to live in the US Howard entered the family gemstone business, and gained a degree as a Graduate Gemologist from the Gemological Institute of America. He was also certified as a master appraiser of gems and is still a senior member of the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers.

Howard is one of a handful of Jyotishis (Vedic astrologers) in the world today fully immersed in living, practicing and teaching all of the yogic principles of life in his work. Besides explaining the inner meanings of one's past, present and future, his insights will bring inspiration to take charge of one's life by giving tools for action in ways that naturally direct the course of destiny towards fulfillment in life. He tries to bring
some light into his work that also uncovers one's spiritual path, rather than only acting as a counselor of material destiny.

He's read thousands of horoscopes over the past 3 decades and clients from around the globe seek his counsel on matters both material and spiritual in order to make decisions that result in successful outcomes in life. His ability to get right to the essence of a person's life path and the karma they brought with them into this life is what earned him the reputation of being "The Astrologer's Astrologer" as many seek him out for his insights on their own horoscopes, and to verify recommendations of remedial measures such as gemstones.

Howard was given the title of "Planetary Gemologists" by the Planetary Gemologist Association and is one of the only in the world today. His expertise is incorporating gemstone therapy into the astrological reading, considered a "remedial" measure by the ancient rishis who taught of using precious gems to balance and harmonize influences seen in the natal horoscope. Author of "An Introduction to Vedic Astrology", "Mantras, Yantras & Fabulous Gems" and "Vibrational Healing with Gems" with his works "The Journey" and "The Time of Your Life" soon to be released. His articles on Vedic culture have been published in many magazines
worldwide with many to be found on the internet at Ezinearticles.com

Between 1992 and 1998, Howard had a profound influence in establishing Vedic astrology in Europe and the U.K. He and his wife, Jennifer, established the Vedic Cultural Fellowship during this time in the UK, a nonprofit organization devoted to teaching and spreading the sacred, spiritual sciences of ancient India. He divided his time between teaching and seeing clients for jyotish consultations and ayurvedic gem therapy, where he made great strides in combining modern scientific technology with this little-known science of healing.

In 1998 he and his wife returned to the US to establish the Vedic Cultural Fellowship's world headquarters in Pecos, New Mexico, and in 1999 they purchased and moved to their present location, New Rishikesh, where is planned a Vedic cultural and spiritual center of epic proportions. This, Howard says, is a project meant to become a beacon of Vedic knowledge and lifestyle for many generations to come.

He travels regularly for teaching and seeing private clients throughout the US, UK, Europe and India and has just recently established the Vedic Cultural Fellowship as a foundation/trust in India along with his fellow board members in that country.

“Howard is a rare expert in gems, in Vedic astrology and in Vedic culture. As a Vedic astrologer he knows when and how to prescribe gems to counter specific planetary imbalances in a person’s birth chart. I have observed his quick and accurate analyses of charts and seen how he easily gets to the core of who a person is and what they need in life. He is likely to become one of the most important Vedic cultural guides for the West for the coming years."
Dr. David Frawley
American Institute of Vedic Studies, Director