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Satsvarupa dasa Goswami (IAST:Sat-svarūpa dāsa Gosvāmī,Sanskrit:[sɐtˈsʋɐɽuːpɐdaːsɐɡoːˈsʋaːmiː],Devanagari:सत्स्वरूप दास गोस्वामी)[1] (bornStephen Guarino on December 6, 1939) is a senior disciple ofBhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who founded theInternational Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), better known in the West as theHare Krishna movement. Serving as a writer, poet, and artist,[2][3] Satsvarupa dasa Goswami is the author of Bhaktivedanta Swami's authorized biography,[4][5]Srila Prabhupada-lilamrta.[6][7] After Prabhupada's death, Satsvarupa dasa Goswami was one of the elevendisciples selected to initiate future disciples.[8][9][10][11][12][13]Satsvarupa dasa Goswami is one of the first few Westerners ordained by Bhaktivedanta Swami in September 1966.[14][15] He is aVaishnava writer, poet, and lecturer,[16] who published over a hundred books including poems, memoirs, essays, novels, and studies based on the Vaishnava scriptures.[17]
In July 1966 he met A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami who registered theISKCON a month later. Bhaktivedanta Swami soon began assigning him typing tasks which Satsvarupa understood "to be yoga".[18] On September 23, 1966 he was ordained in the newGaudiya Vaishnava movement.[19][20][21]
After Swami Bhaktivedanta died, he was one of eleven disciples selected to become an initiating guru in ISKCON.[12]
His books includeSrila Prabhupada-Lilamrta,[27] a biography of Prabhupada.,[28]He Lives Forever (1978) (lectures on the significance of Bhaktivedanta Swami) and five volumes ofPrabhupada Nectar (1983–86) and a number of other titles.[29][30][31] His memoirWith Srila Prabhupada in the Early Days (1991) covers the early years of 1966–1969, his bookLife With the Perfect Master (1983) describes the seven-month period in 1974, when he served as Bhaktivedanta's personal servant.[32]
He became the most senior member of the movement. He was appointed as a ritvik (representative) by his preceptor.[21] He was also one of the original members appointed as (GBC) Governing Body Commission created by Bhaktivedanta Swami in 1970 to gradually take over the management ofISKCON and was a trustee in the Bhaktivedanta's will for the management ofISKCON.[33]
After ISKCON's incorporation in July 1966 at 26 Second Avenue, Satsvarupa dasa was engaged as A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami's personal typist and ISKCON secretary for the first year.[18][34] He was one of the few devotees who maintained outside jobs to support the ISKCON temple at the beginning.[35] Later he managed ISKCON Boston, and ISKCON Press which was later registered asBhaktivedanta Book Trust. After assuming duties of a GBC (Governing Body Commissioner) in 1970, Satsvarupa was asked by Bhaktivedanta Swami to accept the order ofsannyasa in 1972. He accepted sannyasa along with other GBC members, all of whom were originally married men, such asTamala Krishna Goswami andHridayananda das Goswami. At the time A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami awarded him and other followers the title "Goswami" with the single line instruction: "Preach, preach, preach!"[36] He has been listed among active promoters ofahimsa and vegetarianism among other Eastern religious teachers.[25]
Main preaching activities by the means of travelingsankirtana parties were centered in United States. BBT (Bhaktivedanta Book Trust) Library Party headed by him in the mid-1970s was active in establishing distribution network mainly to the Universities of the United States, with some members of the team such asBhakti Tirtha Swami and Suhotra Dasa traveling as far as Eastern Europe.
In 1974, Satsvarupa dasa Goswami was requested by Bhaktivedanta Swami to join him as traveling GBC servant, replacing previous servant Srutakirti Dasa and travelled as a menial servant around the globe.[37]
From the early days of ISKCON, theBack to Godhead[38][unreliable source?] was project required a lot of both contribution and supervision.[39] Satsvarupa dasa Goswami was editor in chief and one of the main contributors to this magazine till 1991, when assisted editorJayadvaita Swami took over as the editor in chief.[40]
In accordance withISKCON GBC Governing Body Commission resolutions March 1978 Satsvarupa dasa Goswami along with other eleven Governing Body Commissioners assumed duties and services of initiating disciples in assigned zones after the death ofBhaktivedanta Swami.[41][42] Initial preaching areas in the United States and Caribbean were expanded with an addition of Ireland in 1982 where he became a zonal acharya.[43][44] The assumption of equal status to Bhaktivedanta Swami and the title of "Guru-Acarya" are still surrounded in a controversy. While following the direction of Governing Body Commission, Satsvarupa dasa Goswami was one of the pioneers who attempted to reform the system, by assuming more humble and appropriate role of a guru as per recorded instructions of the "Founder-Acarya."[45] While imitation of Bhaktivedanta Swami was criticised, despite these warnings, specifically by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami, such imitation sometimes resulted in curious side-effects and many devotees adopted Bhaktivedanta Swami's mannerisms. This remained evident especially among the older American devotees who even now speak with an Indian accent and display many of Bhaktivedanta Swami's gestures like turning one's head or moving one's hand in a certain way.[46]
In years 1978–1985 he took part in a controversial zonal acarya system in a position of anAcharya while initiating reform of a high standard of worship. In 1986–1987 a number of senior members and newly appointed GBC members with the support of Satsvarupa dasa Goswami reformed ISKCON guru system, lowering unprecedented level of worship reserved to initiating gurus in ISKCON. He was called as the "most vocal in the cause of reform" in ISKCON.[47] Satsvarupa dasa Goswami recorded this period in his bookGuru Reform Notebook (1987). Throughout the years that followed, up until the end of the century, new ISKCON guru system was further developed.[45]
In 1999 Governing Body Commission confirmed GBC Emeritus status of his membership of the Governing Body of ISKCON.[48]
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami (left) with his discipleYadunandana Swami, summer 2009
His extensive traveling in Europe in 1990s included areas of Scandinavia, Eastern, Central Europe and Italy, but mainly centered in preaching in Ireland and UK.[49]In following years, his devotional life has included the creation of hundreds of paintings, drawings, and sculptures[50] that capture and express the artist's vision ofKrishna consciousness. His latest literary work is centered on his commentary onBhagavata Purana known asA Poor Man Reads the Bhagavatam.[51]
In 2002, he suffered a physical and emotional collapse from chronic migraine headaches, a condition that required immediate medical intervention and treatment. In consultation with the official governing body of the Krishna consciousness society, he agreed to cease initiating disciples.[52] With the GBC consultation, he retained hisGoswami title and continued in thesannyasa order and as an ISKCON guru.[53][54]
Following a period of health recovery, at the age of 68, Satsvarupa dasa Goswami took residence in the East Coast United States where he is engaging in a number of preaching activities, such as regular lecturing and traveling to the holydhamas. All of the associated preaching and traveling is complementing his main service of commenting and answering disciples' questions on the Bhaktivedanta Purports being published as the volumes ofA Poor Man Reads the Bhagavatam and daily online journal.[55]
Shack Notes: Moments While at a Writing Retreat. Port Royal, Pa.: GN Press. 1995.ISBN978-0-911233-91-9.
A Poor Man Reads the Bhagavatam. Vols. 1995–2008.
Japa Walks, Japa Talks. Port Royal, PA: GN Press, Inc. 1995. p. 106 pages.ISBN978-0-911233-58-2.
One Hundred Prabhupada Poems. Port Royal, PA: GN Press. April 1995. p. 173 pages.ISBN978-0-911233-59-9.
Radio Shows. Port Royal, PA: GN Press. June 1995. p. 314 pages.ISBN978-0-911233-60-5.
Niti-Sastras: Sayings of Canakya and Hitopadesa As Quoted by Srila Prabhupada. Port Royal, Pa.: GN Press. July 1995. p. 4 pages.ISBN978-0-911233-61-2.
Churning the Milk Ocean. Port Royal, PA: GN Press. November 1995. p. 606 pages.ISBN978-0-911233-63-6.
The Daily News: All Things Fail Without Krsna. Port Royal, PA: GN Press. 1995. p. 97 pages.ISBN978-0-911233-55-1.
My Relationship With Lord Krishna. Port Royal, PA: GN Press, Inc. June 1995. p. 99 pages.ISBN978-0-911233-57-5.
Dear Sky: Letters from a Sannyasi. Port Royal, PA: GM Press. 1996.ISBN978-0-911233-99-5.
Gosvāmī, Satsvarūpa Dāsa (June 1996).From Copper to Touchstone: Favorite Selections from the Caitanya-Caritamrta. Satsvarupa dasa Goswami.ISBN978-0-911233-66-7.
Photo Preaching. Port Royal, PA: GN Press. June 1996. p. 101 pages.ISBN978-0-911233-65-0.
Gentle power: Collected poems, 1995–1996. Port Royal, PA: GN Press. 1996. p. 119 pages.ISBN978-0-911233-67-4.
The Wild Garden: Writings from 1990–1993. Port Royal, PA: GN Press. 1996. p. 355 pages.ISBN978-0-911233-54-4.
Gosvāmī, Satsvarūpa Dāsa (1998).The Qualities of Sri Krsna. Satsvarupa dasa Goswami. p. 152 pages.ISBN978-0-911233-64-3.
My Letters from Srila Prabhupada vols 1–3. Port Royal, PA: GN Press. 1986.ISBN978-0-911233-84-1.
Cc Asraya: A Diary While Attempting to Read Sri Caitanya-Caritamrta. Port Royal, PA: GN Press. November 1997. p. 200 pages.ISBN978-0-911233-34-6.
Every Day, Just Write vols. 1–19. 1997–2003.
Passing Places, Eternal Truths. Port Royal, PA: GN Press. January 1998.ISBN978-0-911233-31-5.
The Waves at Jagannatha Puri and Other Poems. Washington, D.C.: Gita-nagari Press. June 1998. p. 130 pages.ISBN978-0-911233-30-8.
From Matter to Spirit: Paintings, Poems, and Improvisations. La Crosse, FL: GN Press. November 1999.ISBN978-0-911233-39-1.
From Imperfection, Purity Will Come About. Port Royal, PA: GN Press. May 1999.ISBN978-0-911233-52-0.
Vaisnava Compassion. La Crosse, FL: GN Press. June 2001. p. 170 pages.ISBN978-0-911233-25-4.
Stowies. La Crosse, Fl: GN Press. September 2002. p. 93 pages.ISBN978-0-911233-04-9.
Gosvāmī, Satsvarūpa Dāsa (October 2006).Write and Die. Satsvarupa dasa Goswami.ISBN978-0-911233-85-8. The ISBN printed in the book (0-911233-85-7198) is invalid; it does not conform to ISBN standards.
^George D. Chryssides, Margaret Z. Wilkins.A Reader in New Religious Movements, 2006,ISBN0-8264-6168-9 p. 208
^Gosvāmī, Satsvarūpa Dāsa (2002) [1983].Srīla Prabhupāda-līlāmrta: a biography of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda. Los Angeles: Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.ISBN978-0-89213-357-4.
^Smith, Huston; Harry Oldmeadow (2004).Journeys East: 20th century Western encounters with Eastern religious traditions. Bloomington, Ind: World Wisdom. p. 272.ISBN978-0-941532-57-0.Before his death Prabhupada appointed eleven American devotees as gurus.
^Rochford, E. Burke (1985).Hare Krishna in America. New Brunswick, N.J: Rutgers University Press. p. 222.ISBN978-0-8135-1114-6.In the months preceding his death Srila Prabhupada appointed eleven of his closest disciples to act as initiating gurus for ISKCON
^Rodney Stark (1985).Religious movements. Paragon House Publishers. pp. 100.ISBN978-0-913757-43-7.Satsvarupa dasa Goswami, one of the eleven initiating gurus Bhaktivedanta appointed to succeed him ...
^N. Suman Bhat, N. Suman.Torch: Bearers of the Krishna Cult. 2005, Sura Books.ISBN81-7478-542-6 p. 81 "Steve became Satsvarupa, Bruce became Brahmananda ..."
^abS. RosenHoly Cow: The Hare Krishna Contribution to Vegetarianism and Animal Rights. 2004, Lantern Books.ISBN1-59056-066-3 p. 116 "one of Prabhupada's earliest and most dedicated disciples"
^Rosen, Steven (2007).Krishna's Song: a new look at the Bhagavad Gita. New York: Praeger. p. 32.ISBN978-0-313-34553-1.Satsvarupa Dasa Gosvami, a contemporary devotee of Krishna and author of over a hundred books on Vaishnava traditions.
^abJohn P Reis,God is Not Dead; He Has Simply Changed Clothes: A Study of the International Society for Kṛṣṇa Consciousness University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1975, p.145
^Letter byBhaktivedanta Swami, November 11, 1967 to Brahmananda, "I do not want crowd ofKirtananandas but I want a single soul like Brahmananda, Mukunda, Rayarama, andSatsvarupa. The same example is always applicable that one moon is sufficient for the night as not thousands of stars ... Without being empowered by Krishna, nobody can preachKrishna Consciousness. It is not academic qualification or financial strength which helps in these matters, but it is sincerity of purpose which helps us always. Therefore, I wish that you will remain in charge of New York, letSatsvarupa be in charge of Boston, LetMukunda be in charge of San Francisco ...Letters quote[dead link]
^Satsvarupa dasa Goswami; A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami (1998).Narada-bhakti-sutra: The Secrets of Transcendental Love. Los Angeles: Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.ISBN978-0-89213-273-7.
^Passage from India: The Life and Times of His Divine Grace A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Steven Rosen, Satsvarūpa Dāsa Goswāmī, 1992, Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers, Page 99
^Burr, Angela (1984).I am Not My Body: A Study of the International Hare Krishna Sect. New Delhi: Vikas. p. 92.ISBN978-0-7069-2296-7.
^Goswami.Srila Prabhupada Lilamrta Vol 5. BBT. p. 95.
^Kimmo Ketola (2008).The Founder of the Hare Krishnas as Seen by Devotees: A Cognitive Study of Religious Charisma (Numen Book Series). Boston: Brill Academic Publishers. p. 123.ISBN978-90-04-16613-4.
^abSatsvarupa dasa Goswami (1992). "quote in Encyclopedic Handbook of Cults in America By J. Gordon Melton, Melton J. Gordon".Guru Reform Notebook. New York: Garland.ISBN978-0-8153-1140-9.
^Melton, J. Gordon (1989).The encyclopedia of American religions. Detroit: Gale Research. p. 868.ISBN978-0-8103-2841-9.Most vocal in the cause of reform was Satsvarupa dasa Goswami, who authored an official biography
^Satsvarupa dasa Goswami,Visitors inAbout the Author, (2007)
^Rochford, E. Burke (2007).Hare Krishna transformed. New York: New York University Press. p. 224.ISBN978-0-8147-7579-0.Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami still is an ISKCON guru, but as of 2005, he was not initiating newdisciples
Goswami, Upendranath (1983). "The Assamese Script".Journal of the Assam Research Society.27.
Ketola, Kimmo (2008).The founder of the Hare Krishnas as seen by devotees: a cognitive study of religious charisma. Brill. pp. 234 pages.ISBN978-90-04-16613-4.
Satsvarupa, dasa Goswami (1983).Prabhupāda nectar : anecdotes from the life of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda. Vol. 1. Philadelphia: Gita-nagari Press.ISBN978-0-911233-22-3.
Satsvarupa, dasa Goswami (April 1995).One Hundred Prabhupada Poems. Port Royal, PA: GN Press.ISBN978-0-911233-59-9.