Mukunda Goswami is an American-born spiritual leader who belongs to the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (popularly known as ISKCON or Hare Krishna). He was one of the first disciples of ISKCON founder A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
Contents
Wiki/Biography
Mukund Goswami was born as Michael Grant on Friday, 10 April 1942 (age 80 years; as in 2022) in Portland, Oregon, United States. His zodiac sign is Aries. He did his undergraduate studies from Reed College, Portland. He wanted to become a musician for which he moved to New York after graduation.
Physical Appearance
Height (Approx): 5′ 4″
Hair Color: Bald
Eye colour: black
Family
parents and siblings
His father was a tap dancer. His brother’s name is Tom Grant, who is a jazz musician.
brother of mukund goswami
Wife
Mukund was married to Janaki, but they divorced in the 1980s. Following the divorce, he retired from Jayapataka Swami in 1982.
Mukund Goswami with his ex-wife Janaki
Religion
He follows Hindu religion.
livelihood
Before becoming a spiritual leader, Mukund worked as a professional jazz musician. In 1966, he was a major part of the Hare Krishna movement.
Mukunda Goswami during the early days of the Hare Krishna movement
Later in 1966, he helped Bhaktivedanta Swami establish the first Hare Krishna temple in New York with the help of his former wife and some of his college friends. In 1967, he founded the first Hare Krishna temple in San Francisco. He also organized a musical programme, Mantra-Rock Dance, during the inauguration of the temple.
This is the first Hare Krishna temple, ISKCON (Incomparable Gift) 26 2nd Avenue, New York
In 1968, he went to London with his wife to start ISKCON in England. In 1971, he was one of the composers of the devotional music album ‘The Radha Krishna Temple’ released on Apple Records. The album was produced by Beatle George Harrison. The song ‘Hare Krishna Mantra’ from the album gained immense popularity and reached number 13 on the UK Singles Chart.
Mukund Goswami is recording a song with George Harrison
In 1977, he started the ISKCON communications office in Los Angeles. Some of the publications and books he has written include ‘Chant and Be Happy…The Story of the Hare Krishna Mantra’ (1982), ‘Coming Back: The Science of Reincarnation’ (1982), ‘The Higher Taste: A Guide To Gourmet Vegetarian Cooking and a ‘Karma-Free’ Diet (1983), Divine Nature: A Spiritual Perspective on the Environmental Crisis (1995), Inside the Hare Krishna Movement: An Ancient Eastern Religious Tradition Comes of Age in the Western World (2001), and Miracle on Second Avenue: Hare Krishna’s Arrival in the West (1966).
Cover of the book ‘Divine Nature A Spiritual Perspective on the Environmental Crisis’
Facts/General Knowledge
- After meeting Hare Krishna founder AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in 1965, he decided to change his career. He joined the first group of initiated disciples in 1966. After joining the group, he was given the Sanskrit name Mukunda Das.
Mukunda Goswami with AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
- He served as ISKCON Communications Minister on the Governing Body Commission from 1984 to 1999.
- He has lived in various countries including San Diego, New Zealand, and Australia.
- On October 23, 2015, he was admitted to hospital for hip surgery after slipping in the bathroom. While he was in the hospital, he suffered a heart attack. His devotees organized kirtans at various places and prayed for his recovery.
- As of 2022, Mukund serves as a member of the ICJ Advisory Board.
Categories: Biography
Source: vcmp.edu.vn