Greene - Swami in a Strange Land: How Krishna Came to the West

Praise for Swami in a Strange Land

Swami in a Strange Land is a timely volume, auspiciously marking the fiftieth anniversary of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupadas arrival in the West. It offers an attractive narrative of this most interesting and surprising pilgrim and pioneer, the devotee and teacher who brought Krishna to the West. It will edify insiders to the ISKCON tradition, and inform those who know of him only from a distance; and it is a solid contribution to our understanding of this notable religious movement and of Hinduisms emergence as a truly global religion.

D R. F RANCIS X. C LOONEY , SJ

DIRECTOR, CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF WORLD RELIGIONS, HARVARD UNIVERSITY

In 1965, Prabhupada stepped off a cargo ship in New York Harbor after thirty-eight days at sea. A lone saint from India, seventy years in age, with neither money nor a single acquaintance, he wandered the streets of Manhattan in his saffron robes. Yet, overflowing from his heart was a treasure of spiritual love that he yearned to share with the world. And miraculously, he didwithin a few years Prabhupada had inspired a movement that spread across the planet. Let us open our hearts as Joshua Greene tells us this story of timeless love.

R ADHANATH S WAMI

AUTHOR , THE JOURNEY HOME AND THE JOURNEY WITHIN

Swami in a Strange Land is a moving account of Prabhupadas bold challenge to the dominant discourses of our time. Joshua Greene is an accomplished storyteller, a diligent historian, and a dedicated bhakta. His biography of Prabhupada pays careful attention to historical context while honoring the transcendent power of bhakti.

D R. R AVI M. G UPTA

CHARLES REDD CHAIR OF RELIGIOUS STUDIES, UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY

Greene... gives us an inside look at his teachers journey and accomplishments, but also stands back far enough so that the narrative unfolds with unexpected objectivity.... Masterfully written and thoughtfully executed, Greene artfully shares with his readers the trials and successes, reverses and victories, of a modern-day saint, making this book valuable reading for just about anyone.

S TEVEN J. R OSEN (S ATYARAJA D AS )

EDITOR IN CHIEF, JOURNAL OF VAISHNAVA STUDIES

This highly readable book takes us inside the life of one of the greatest saints and spiritual leaders of the modern age.... In Swami in a Strange Land , Joshua Greene has woven a magical narrative of a true story that has to be read to be believed.

S ATSVARUPA D AS G OSWAMI

AUTHOR, SRILA PRABHUPADA-LILAMRITA

A beautifully written, enthralling, and scrupulously researched book about an extraordinary personality. Full of detail and spiritual resonance. A must read for those who know nothing about the founder and preceptor of the Hare Krishna movement, and all those who think they do.

A LFRED B. F ORD

TRUSTEE, FORD FAMILY FOUNDATION

Unique among the array of biographies of Srila Prabhupadas life, Swami in a Strange Land provides readers with profound, penetrating insights into the very spirit of ISKCONs founder-acharya. Artful, elegant, lucid, spell-bindingone of those books you just cannot put down.

R OMAPADA S WAMI

The authors warmth, lucid style, and keen observations are a pleasure to read. Outstanding.

N ARENDRA D ESAI

CHAIRMAN, APAR INDUSTRIES

Not only was Prabhupada a saint who lived on the highest level of devotion, but he was also an organizer, manager, and inspiration to a worldwide movement. He embodied that rarest of combinations: common sense and uncommon love for God. Swami in a Strange Land will be a revelation for all who seek to foster a spiritual awakening in the world.

H RISHIKESH M AFATLAL

CHAIRMAN, MAFATLAL INDUSTRIES, LTD.

Joshua Greene makes an enchanting historical addition to our understanding of the early days of the Hare Krishna movement and its founder, Srila Prabhupada. Whether the reader is searching for an uplifting biography, insight into religious movements, a glimpse into cross-cultural experiences, or a deep drink of the elixir of spirituality, it can be found in this book.

D R. E DITH B EST

PROFESSOR, SOCIOLOGY OF RELIGION

In Swami in a Strange Land , Joshua Greene relates the unprecedented, remarkable story of Prabhupadas life and mission in vivid detail, with intelligence, wit, compassion, and love.

G IRIRAJ S WAMI

How could it be possible that a seventy-year-old, penniless, little Indian man, wrapped only in a thin piece of orange cotton cloth, all alone, was able to step off a freighter ship from Calcutta in New York City in 1965 with no one to greet him, carrying nothing in his suitcase but humility, passion, and unshakable faith in Gods Holy Name, and start a worldwide revolution that spread like wildfire in a few short years, attracting millions of devotees to Krishna consciousness? Master storyteller Joshua Greene reveals the magical rise to international celebrity status of a Swami in a Strange Landthe true, thrilling adventure story of Srila Bhaktivedanta Prabhupada, a modern-day spiritual giant.

S HARON G ANNON

CO-FOUNDER, JIVAMUKTI YOGA; AUTHOR, YOGA AND VEGETARIANISM, JIVAMUKTI YOGA, AND SIMPLE RECIPES FOR JOY

Joshua Greenes affable yet masterful writing style makes Swami in a Strange Land a pleasure to read. Reading this book not only instilled in me an uncanny feeling of closeness to Srila Prabhupada, but also gave me a stockpile of valuable lessons with which to improve my life.

V AISESIKA D ASA

Swami in a Strange Land , by Joshua Greene, is a major contribution to our understanding of Prabhupada. The author strikes a powerful balance between his roles as devoted participant and detached observer, and is thus able to balance Prabhupadas own divine and human nature. This balance makes the book unique and important. The author neither mythologizes nor demythologizes. Rather he wisely and sensitively presents Prabhupada just as thousands experienced him during his life on earth. Countless future generations will thank the author for his contribution, just as we thank him today.

H RIDAYANANDA G OSWAMI

Joshua Greenes beautiful book Swami in a Strange Land introduces me to Prabhupada in a most intimate and delightful way. Seeing his struggles, his commitment, his deep devotion and compassion, and his absolute disregard for his own comfort or well-being in the service of Krishna consciousness is a great inspiration and wake-up call to all of us aspiring bhaktas. Sometimes the path seems too difficult and our passion becomes dulled, but Swamijis life story reminds us to not waste a moment, a single breath, in our journey back to Godhead. I loved reading this and Im sure Ill read it again and again.

J AI U TTAL

GRAMMY-NOMINATED MUSICIAN

Welcome to the age of spiritual globalization. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada trans-nationalized an otherwise local, provincial sect into a global movement with massive publications and a benevolent social-services understructure. This timely biography by Joshua Greene reveals how a single Hindu ascetic achieved this humongous global feat and how his legacy continues to inspire the sustaining work of ISKCON across the world.

D R. P URUSHOTTAMA B ILIMORIA

CORE FACULTY, GRADUATE THEOLOGICAL UNION; VISITING PROFESSOR, UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY

Who could have predicted it? An impoverished, retired pharmacist in his sixties travels from India to the United States, sets up shop in 1966 on the Lower East Side of New York City, and begins to teach young hippies to chant the names of Krishna. The hippies become initiated Brahmins, and Krishna consciousness spreads from America around the world and back to India. Joshua Greene tells this remarkable story with an insiders perspective, enhanced by anecdotes and memories from many who were there at the beginning. Swami in a Strange Land is a real pleasure to read.