Gopala Krishna Goswami
| Gopala Krishna Goswami | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Religion | Gaudiya Vaishnavism, Hinduism |
| Other name(s) | Gopal Krishna Khanna |
| Personal | |
| Born | August 14, 1944 New Delhi, British Raj |
| Religious career | |
| Initiation | Diksa–1969, Sannyasa–1981 |
| Post | ISKCON Guru, Sannyasi, Member of the Governing Body Commission |
| Website | http://www.gopalkrishna.com http://www.gopalkrishnagoswami.com http://www.gkgoffice.com/ |
Gopal Krishna Goswami is a religious leader within the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (popularly known as the Hare Krishnas).[1] He was the first Indian disciple of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada to be initiated after the establishment of ISKCON. Gopal Krishna Goswami is currently a member of the Governing Body Commission[2] and an initiating guru within the movement.[3]
Contents |
[edit] Biography
Gopal Krishna Goswami was born on August 14, 1944 in New Delhi, India as Gopal Krishna Khanna. After graduating from the University of Delhi, he studied Business Management at the Sorbonne University of Paris[3] on a scholarship from the French Government, and later studied for a Masters Degree in Business Administration from the McGill University in Montreal. After finishing his education, Gopal Krishna Khanna worked as a marketing research analyst for Pepsi Cola and Bristol-Myers.
Gopal Krishna Khanna was living in Toronto in May 1968 when he first met with Srila Prabhupada on June 1, 1968. During a three month period where Prabhupada stayed in Montreal, Gopal Krishna regularly heard from him on devotional topics and took instruction regarding his own personal life.[4] Within two weeks of meeting him, Gopal Krishna Khanna decided to accept Srila Prabhupada as his spiritual master. In May 1969 he was initiated as one of Srila Prabhupada's disciples, receiving the name Gopal Krishna Dasa.
Later Gopal Krishna moved into the temple and lived there. He acted as Srila Prabhupada's secretary for several years. In 1970, he entered into an arranged marriage with a disciple of Srila Prabhupada, Ekayani Devi Dasi from New York.[5] Gopal continued working for Bristol-Myers until 1975. In 1975, Srila Prabhupada sent Gopal Krishna to India, giving him the responsibility of being a Governing Body Commissioner within the area. Prabhupada also instructed him specifically to print and expand the distribution of his books in India and to translate and print books in Indian languages. Prabhupada was pleased when Gopal Krishna presented him the first copies of the Srimad Bhagavatam translated into Hindi.
In 1976, Prabhupada appointed Gopal Krishna as Governing Body Commissioner for the Soviet Union. Gopal Krishna made several trips to Communist Russia at that time to preach and publish the Bhagavad Gita in Russian.[citation needed]
In 1981 he took the sannyasa and was initiated into the monastic order of the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition. He took sannyasa initiation from Jayapataka Swami and the name, Tridandi Swami Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaja. Since then Gopal Krishna Goswami has been traveling extensively all over the world preaching Gaudiya Vaishnavism, initiating disciples, delivering talks, and overseeing various philanthropic and devotional projects.[6]
Currently Gopal Krishna Goswami is the Governing Body Commissioner[2] of many countries and regions including Delhi, Vrindavan, Mumbai, Mayapur, Chandigarh, Kenya, Canada and parts of North America and Russia.
Gopal Krishna Goswami played a leading role in inspiring and completing several large ISKCON temples, such as the Glory of India temple in New Delhi (inaugurated by then Prime Minister of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee) and the Radha-Bankebihari temple in Nairobi.[citation needed]
Gopal Krishna Goswami has been featured on Radio, Television and Newspaper stories in India and abroad commenting on various issues. He has delivered series of lectures to diverse audiences in the last three decades ranging from the Chamber of Commerce in Mumbai, IIT students in Delhi, and congregation householder ISKCON devotees to academics, politicians and interfaith communities. He regularly delivers lectures at ISKCON temples, speaking on various Hindu scriptures, such as Bhagavad Gita and Bhagavata Purana.
[edit] Notable disciples
- Romapada Dasa (also known as Ramesh Kallidai), Secretary General of the Hindu Forum of Britain and Vice Chair of Hindu Aid
[edit] Footnotes
- ^ ISKCON festival on founder's anniversary ISKCON Mumbai website
- ^ a b Society Scenes -- Pune Indian Express
- ^ a b ISKCON chairman in city Times of India, 12 Aug 2003
- ^ See letters from A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami dated 30 April 1969, 13 May 1969, and 5 June 1969, all of which concern Gopal Krishna's desire to marry.
- ^ See letter to Ekayani Devi Dasi dated March 15, 1970
- ^ List of Sannyasis in ISKCON April 2008 ISKCON Sannyasa Ministry, Retrieved on 5 May 2008
[edit] References
- Matane, Paulias (2004), India: A Splendour in Cultural Diversity, Anmol Publications PVT. LTD., ISBN 8126118377, http://books.google.com/books?id=8aIyc7_Q8JYC
- Pentikäinen, Juha; Holm, Nils G. (2000), Ethnography is a heavy rite: studies of comparative religion in honor of Juha Pentikäinen, Åbo Akademi University Press, ISBN 9521206241, http://books.google.com/books?id=TeXWAAAAMAAJ
- Dhawan, S. K. (2007), President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam: 2002-2004, Abhi Books & Distributors, ISBN 8190467506, http://books.google.com/books?id=uR1uAAAAMAAJ
- Brooks, Charles R. (1989), The Hare Krishnas in India, Princeton University Press, ISBN 0691031355, http://books.google.com/books?id=5tjtDZ438h4C
- Salvadori, Cynthia; Fedders, Andrew (1989), Through open doors: a view of Asian cultures in Kenya (2, illustrated, revised ed.), Kenway Publications, ISBN 9966848053, http://books.google.com/books?id=4xIRAQAAIAAJ
- Mehta, Uday; Desai, Akshayakumar Ramanlal (1993), Modern godmen in India: a sociological appraisal, Popular Prakashan, ISBN 8171547087, http://books.google.com/books?id=VExUWPcO3v8C
- Chryssides, George D.; Wilkins, Margaret (2002), A reader in new religious movements, Continuum International Publishing Group, ISBN 0826461670, http://books.google.com/books?id=RwP--c7OV4cC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_summary_r&cad=0#PPA23,M1
- Lal, Kishori Saran (2002), Return to roots: emancipation of Indian Muslims, Radha Publications, ISBN 8174872450, http://books.google.com/books?lr=&ei=N60KSv27O5S0zgSuh4WuDA
- Muster, Nori Jean (2001), Betrayal of the spirit: my life behind the headlines of the Hare Krishna movement, University of Illinois Press, ISBN 0252065662, http://books.google.com/books?id=Dw3-xD05wnoC
- Satsvarūpa Dāsa Gosvāmī (1982), Śrīla Prabhupāda-līlāmṛta: a biography of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda. Vol. 4, In Every Town and Village: Around the World 1968-1971, Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, ISBN 0892131152, http://books.google.com/books?id=KUUqAAAAYAAJ
- Satsvarūpa Dāsa Gosvāmī (1983), Srīla Prabhupāda-līlāmṛta: a biography of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda. Vol. 5, Let There Be a Temple: India/Around the World 1971-1975, Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, ISBN 0892131195, http://books.google.com/books?id=cITXAAAAMAAJ
- Satsvarūpa Dāsa Gosvāmī (1983), Srīla Prabhupāda-līlāmṛta: a biography of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda. Vol. 6, Uniting Two Worlds: Around the World / Return to Vrindavana 1975-1977, Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, ISBN 0892131063, http://books.google.com/books?id=VYzXAAAAMAAJ
- Witham, Larry (April 4, 1998), "Krishnas: Color them mainstream", The Washington Times, http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-58334923.html
- Arjuman, Muneeza (April 3, 1998), "Hare Krishna temple a bid for legitimacy in India", The Associated Press, http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1N1-10848F62E918D1F5.html
- BBC News (April 5, 1998), "Robot gods at temple", BBC News, http://212.58.226.17:8080/1/hi/world/s/w_asia/74181.stm
- Chopra, Swati (December 7, 2002), "President inaugurates spiritual conclave", The Times of India, http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-26856158_ITM
- Indian Express (November 17, 2003), "Mantras, bhajans at Rath yatra", The Indian Express, http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=68313
- Supriya, Dravid (December 5, 2005), "Heaven's Kitchen", India Today, http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-139246202/heaven-kitchen.html
- Times of India (August 13, 2003), "Iskcon chairman in city", The Times of India, http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-24084094_ITM
- Business Line (May 15, 2006), "A prayer with a difference", Business Line, http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-145821820/prayer-difference.html
