Mukunda Goswami is an American spiritual leader who belongs to the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (commonly known as ISKCON or Hare Krishnas). He was one of the first disciples of ISKCON founder AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
Wiki/Biography
Mukunda Goswami was born Michael Grant on Friday, April 10, 1942, in Portland, Oregon, USA (age 80 in 2022). His zodiac sign is Aries. He graduated from Reed College in Portland. He wanted to be a musician and after graduation he moved to New York.
appearance
Height (approximately): 5′4″
Hair color: Bald
Eye color: black
family
Parents and siblings
His father was a tap dancer. His brother, Tom Grant, is a jazz musician.
Mukunda Goswami’s younger brother
wife
Mukunda married Janaki, but they divorced in the 1980s. After his divorce in 1982, he took over Sannyasa from Jayapataka Swami.
Mukunda Goswami and ex-wife Janaki
religion
He believes in Hinduism.
Profession
Mukunda was a professional jazz musician before becoming a spiritual leader. In 1966, he was an important member of the Hare Krishna movement.
Mukunda Goswami in the early days of the Hare Krishna movement
Later in 1966, with the help of his ex-wife and some college friends, he helped Bhaktivedanta Swami build the first Hare Krishna temple in New York. In 1967, he built the first Hare Krishna temple in San Francisco. He also organized a musical event called the Mantra Rock Dance during the opening of the temple.
This is the first Hare Krishna Temple, ISKCON (Incomparable Gift) 26 2nd Ave, New York
In 1968, he went to London with his wife and founded ISKCON in the UK. In 1971, he was one of the composers of the devotional music album “The Radha Krsna Temple” released by Apple Records. The album was produced by Beatle George Harrison. The song “Hare Krishna Mantra” from the album was a huge hit, reaching number 13 on the UK Singles Chart.
Mukunda Goswami recorded this song with George Harrison
In 1977, he established the ISKCON communications office in Los Angeles. He is the author of several publications and books, including Chant and Rejoice…The Story of the Hare Krishna Mantra (1982), The Return: The Science of Reincarnation (1982), Higher Taste: A Guide to Gourmet Vegetarian Cooking and “Without Karma” “Eat” (1983), “Sacred Nature: A Spiritual Perspective on the Environmental Crisis” (1995), “Inside the Hare Krishna Movement: Ancient Eastern Religious Traditions Come of Age in the Western World” (2001 ) and Miracle on Second Avenue: The Advent of Hare Krishna in the West (1966).
Cover of the book “The Divine Essence: A Spiritual Perspective on Environmental Crisis”
Facts/Trivia
- In 1965, after meeting AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder of Hare Krishna, he decided to change careers. In 1966, he joined the first batch of sealed disciples. After joining, he was given the Sanskrit name Mukunda Dasa.
Mukunda Goswami and AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
- From 1984 to 1999, he served as ISKCON Communications Minister on the Governing Body Committee.
- He has lived in various countries including San Diego, New Zealand and Australia.
- On October 23, 2015, he was taken to hospital for hip surgery after slipping in the bathroom. While he was in the hospital, he suffered a heart attack. His followers organized kirtans in various places and prayed for his recovery.
- As of 2022, Mukunda serves as a member of the Advisory Board of the International Court of Justice.
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education