Mukunda Goswami

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Mukunda Goswami (मुकुन्द गोस्वामी) is an acting spiritual leader (guru) within the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (popularly known as ISKCON or the Hare Krishnas),[1]. American by birth, Mukunda Goswami, Aka Michael Grant[2], was a close friend of Beatles member George Harrison[3], who also had an interest in Gaudiya Vaishnava philosophy. In the late 1960s, Mukunda Goswami was sent to London along with other ISKCON devotees, by his spiritual master, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, to open the first temple in England dedicated to the worship of Radha and Krishna. Having been a professional musician prior to joining ISKCON, Mukunda Goswami was musical arranger of the 1970 hit album, Radha Krishna Temple which was produced by George Harrison and Mukunda in London[4]. This album proved to be a significant event in the development of ISKCON around the World. Mukunda remained close friends with George Harrison up until the former Beatles' death. In the 1960s Mukunda was married to Janaki, and they were sent to London together, but she left, and Mukunda remained single[5]. Years later, in the mid 1980s, he accepted Sannyasa (the renounced order of life) from Jayapataka Swami.[6]

Contents

[edit] Involvement

Mukunda Goswami was a pioneer in the early days of the movement, securing appearances for the ISKCON devotees on Top of the Pops, and worked with George Harrison in recording an album with the devotees which went to the top of the UK album charts (the Radha Krsna Temple album)[7].

In the 1980s Mukunda established the ISKCON Communications Office in Los Angeles, and published the ISKCON World Review and ISKCON Communications Journal (ICJ)[8]. Mukunda Goswami is still an ICJ Advisory Board Member[9]. When the ISKCON organization was mired in legal troubles[10] Mukunda worked at damage control, but finally grew tired of the pressure and left the position in hands of his assistants. Mukunda was a member of the ISKCON "Governing Body Commission" (GBC) from 1984 to 1999[11].

In recent years Mukunda Goswami spends most of his time based north of Auckland, New Zealand, putting to writing his memories of his spiritual master, Swami Prabhupada. He also runs yearly Krsna conscious film festivals at the ISKCON temple in Auckland.[citation needed]

[edit] Published Books

  • Divine Nature: A Spiritual Perspective on the Environmental Crisis[12]
  • Mukunda Goswami: Inside The Hare Krishna Movement[13]
  • Mukunda Goswami has published a number of other books and magazines with the BBT, such as, "A Higher Taste"[14].

[edit] Disciples in the media

Krishna Dharma dasa (initiated first by Bhagavan dasa) has translated the Vedic epics Ramayana and Mahabharata, and has written articles for the Guardian article on Social Integration

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Mukunda Goswami mentioned as Iskcon guru. Retrieved on 2007-03-17.
  2. ^ Mukunda Goswami - Michael Grant Connection. Retrieved on 2007-03-17.
  3. ^ George Harrison interview with Mukunda Goswami. Retrieved on 2007-03-17.
  4. ^ Mukunda Goswami was musical arranger of the 1970 hit album, Radha Krishna Temple. Retrieved on 2007-03-17.
  5. ^ Satsvarupa dasa Goswami, BBT (1980). Srila Prabhupada-lilamrta. 
  6. ^ List of Sannyasis in ISKCON April 2008 ISKCON Sannyasa Ministry, Retrieved on 5 May 2008
  7. ^ Mukunda Goswami was musical arranger of the 1970 hit album, Radha Krishna Temple. Retrieved on 2007-03-17.
  8. ^ Mukunda Goswami's Assistant. Retrieved on 2007-03-17.
  9. ^ Mukunda Goswami's ICJ Advisory Board Member Weblink. Retrieved on 2007-03-17.
  10. ^ Mukunda Goswami - Defendant Weblink. Retrieved on 2007-03-17.
  11. ^ Mukunda Goswami - GBC. Retrieved on 2007-03-17.
  12. ^ Mukunda Goswami (1995). Divine Nature. ISBN 0892132973. 
  13. ^ Mukunda Goswami (2001). Inside The Hare Krishna Movement. ISBN 1887089284. 
  14. ^ Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (1991). A Higher Taste. ISBN 0892131284. 

[edit] External links


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