Hindol Sengupta’s ‘Sing, Dance and Pray’ beautifully tells the story of Srila Prabhupada, who founded the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).
The Hare Krishna movement, officially called the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), is a Hindu religious group following Gaudiya Vaishnavism. It was started on July 13, 1966, in New York City by AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
The book takes us back to the mid-20th century, a period when Srila Prabhupada became a key figure in Western counterculture, introducing the ancient teachings of Vedic India to mainstream America.
The book explores how Srila Prabhupada significantly influenced how the world saw India and Hinduism. It talks about how his teachings, which drew in a variety of people like poet Allen Ginsberg and George Harrison from The Beatles, were like a powerful force that went beyond just religious stories. The story of Srila Prabhupada’s journey, starting when he came to New York City in 1965, is portrayed as an interesting tale of hard work and a successful institution maker.
As we all know the ISKCON followers are part of the largest group within Gaudiya Vaishnavism, a branch of Hinduism. Vaishnavism means worshipping Vishnu, and Gaudiya refers to the region where this branch originated, in West Bengal and Bangladesh. This tradition, around for five centuries, was started by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who spread joyful devotion to Krishna in Bengal. He introduced Sankirtan, a community worship involving dance and song, breaking caste barriers. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu focuses on chanting the Hare Krishna Mahamantra and is regarded as an incarnation of Krishna by Gaudiya Vaishnavas. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, believed to have direct lineage with Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, brought Chaitanya’s Gaudiya Vaishnavism to the West in 1965.
Srila Prabhupada began sharing his ideas about Hinduism when he was 70, taking a journey to America. His remarkable achievements, including spreading his teachings globally from San Francisco to New York, Germany, Russia, Africa, and Australia, occurred between the ages of 70 and 80. In contrast, Vivekananda made an impact in his early 30s during his trip to America, gaining followers among educated and influential individuals. Both stories highlight the global reach of Hinduism through these influential figures.
Hindol writes in the book:
The conflict in Vietnam had already dragged on for about a decade since the mid-1950s by the time Bhaktivedanta arrived at Boston harbour. In the early 1960s American President John F Kennedy pushed more resources into battle in Vietnam and the failure of death through victory only meant greater angst and protest at home. With the failure of the Bay In Pigs invasion in 1961 and the Cuban missile crisis, chances of a third world war or at least conflict using nuclear weapons between the United States and the Soviet Union had become a real possibility. The ‘risk to world peace seemed so significant at this time, that an extensive peace movement developed throughout the 1960’s, particularly through the intervention of young people and students. Young people wanted autonomy and self-determination. They did not want to live in a world involved in a major armed conflict’.
Sengupta brings Srila Prabhupada’s life to life by telling the story in a way that keeps you hooked. He also talks a lot about Srila Prabhupada meeting famous people like the Grateful Dead and The Beatles, which makes the story even more interesting. The book also shows us what was happening during the 60s and 70s different things people were doing, the problems between groups of people, and how politics was working.
He further writes: If you distil the message of the moment that came to be known through many varying names over the years. From ‘Baet’ to ‘Hippie’ a few are immediately apparent. There is the desire for a different way of life, a different way of thinking, freedom of the operation of society and government and even the economic system. There is a determined refusal of authorised state-sanctioned violence (though ironically some of the protesters clashed with the police and became quite violent) there is the attempt to create building blocks of a ‘non-commercial world’ in everything from the focus on the handmade things, like tie and dye clothing (another element borrowed from India) Vegetarianism and natural birth, focus on meditation and non-Abrahamic forms of spirituality and importantly music.
The author did thorough research, using real documents, stories from ISKCON devotees, and details about what was happening in India and the world when Srila Prabhupada was alive. This makes the story feel real and helps us understand the important time when East and West connected.
The second part of the book shares the challenging journey Srila Prabhupada faced in realising his dream. It sheds light on the difficulties he encountered until his passing, and his discussions with followers, close associates, and others, all during his advancing age. This part helps us appreciate the immense effort, determination, and courage required to build and sustain a dream.
The book tells us what Calcutta was like when the British were in charge, helping us understand history better. It feels like you’re travelling back in time, getting to know the amazing people who were making big changes. Sengupta tells the story so well that you want to keep reading, it’s hard to stop.
Srila Prabhupada demonstrated clarity in his goals and took every step to achieve them. He approached life in the US without judgment, focusing solely on his mission. The author details the hardships faced by Srila Prabhupada and ISKCON, dealing with financial constraints and legal issues, illustrating the complexities of nurturing a growing movement.
The book ‘Sing, Dance and Pray’ is well-organized and exciting. The chapters are short, making it easy to keep reading. If you want to learn about the incredible person who started ISKCON, this is must-read. Hindol Sengupta’s great storytelling and deep understanding make this book special for exploring Srila Prabhupada’s legacy.
Book: Sing, Dance and Pray The Inspirational Story of Srila Prabhupada Founder-Acharya of ISKCON by Hindol Sengupta
Published: Penguin
Price: Rs 599
