India's Glory

Dedication

This book is dedicated to
His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedänta Swämi Prabhupäda,

Founder-Äcärya of the
International Society for Kåñëa Consciousness
who by his mercy and potency inundated this world with Kåñëa
Consciousness and due to whose desire temples, devotees and books
manifested in each and every corner of the World...including Delhi!!!



CONTENTS

Part One –

India’s Glory:
Gopäla Kåñëa Gosvämé and the Temples of Delhi

By Steven J. Rosen (Satyaräja Däsa)

1. Acknowledgement...................................................................1
2. Foreword..................................................................................7
3. Introduction...........................................................................15

a. What is Vaiñëavism?...........................................................16
b. What is a temple?...............................................................20

4. Delhi: Past and Present.......................................................23

a. Ancient History..................................................................25
b. The Middle Period.............................................................28
c. The Later Middle Period.....................................................29
d. Vaiñëavism in Modern Delhi....................................................33
e. Çréla Prabhupäda in Delhi: The Beginning.............................36

5. Chippiwada: A Spiritual Launching Pad.................................43

a. Pressing on in Delhi.................................................................49
b. Returning to Delhi...................................................................55
c. ISKCON Acquires Chippiwada..............................................58

6. Prabhupäda’s Triumphant Return..........................................61

a. Paëòäla Program of 1971.......................................................65
b. Enter Tejéyas Prabhu..............................................................70
c. Let There be a Temple............................................................72
d. Çré Çré Rädhä-Pärthasärathi.................................................78

7. ISKCON Delhi Comes of Age...............................................83

a. Gopäla Kåñëa Mahäräja: Early Years...................................88
b. Canada and Kåñëa.................................................................94
c. Prabhupäda Descends on Montreal.......................................99
d. Initiation..............................................................................103

8. From New York to India........................................................107

a. A Businessman for Kåñëa......................................................109
b. Book Production in Brooklyn..............................................113
c. The Passage to India............................................................116

9. The Pride of New Delhi..........................................................121

a. The Land is Secured................................................................125
b. Construction Begins … Soon..................................................129
c. It Takes a Village...................................................................133
d. The Project Today..................................................................137

10. Glorification of India’s Glory.........................................143

a. Two Prominent Speeches: Gopäla Kåñëa Mahäräja and
Çré Atal Behari Vajpayee........................................................146

b. Great Devotees Send Congratulatory Praise...........................152

11. East Side, West Side: All Around the Town......................163

a. Strategic Locations.................................................................165
b. Temple Expansion..................................................................168
c. And the Road Goes Ever On..................................................173
d. Conclusion..............................................................................179

12. Afterword................................................................................181

a. Other India Project.................................................................182
b. To Russia And Beyond...........................................................187
c. Health Issues...........................................................................191
d. Conclusion: Book Distribution...............................................193

Part Two –

Perfect Follower of a Perfect Saint

By David P. Carter (Hlädiné-çakti däsa)

13. Foreword to Part Two..........................................................199

14. Introduction to Part Two....................................................203

15. The Twenty-Six Jewels of Devotion
(Sädhu-bhüñaëäm)................................................................207

a. Gopäla Kåñëa Gosvämé And the Jewels of Devotion ...........212
b. Gopäla Kåñëa Gosvämé and Sädhu-bhüñaëäm

– Revealing the Glory of India..............................................231

16. The Delhi Project – in Close up...........................................245

a. Yamunä Devé – Pioneer Vaiñëavé..........................................248
b. Austerity – The Wealth of the Brähmaëas.............................253
c. Purity and Guru Püjä............................................................255
d. Being Fully Engaged in Kåñëa’s Service................................256
e. The Vision for Delhi’s Dvärakä Mandir...............................287

17. Mumbai.................................................................................293

a. His Holiness Giriräja Swami................................................301
b. ISKCON Mérä Road Temple................................................320
c. ISKCON Khargar, Navi Mumbai........................................327

18. Våndävana...............................................................................333

a. He Can Do What No One Else Can Do.................................336
b. Gopäla Kåñëa is Indispensable to Our Program in India......337
c. Loves His Godbrothers...........................................................340
d. Shooting for the Våndävana Rhinos.......................................342
e. Äcärya in Body, Mind and Words...............................................345

19. Gurukula.................................................................................347

a. Gopäla Kåñëa Mahäräja Restarts the Gurukula...................351
b. Tuned into Gurukula Needs..................................................353

20. Kurukñetra.............................................................................355

a. Kurukñetra – Fulfilling Prabhupäda’s vision.........................359

21. Mayapur..................................................................................363

a. The Troubleshooter................................................................364
b. Gopäla Kåñëa Mahäräja and Jayapatäkä Mahäräja

– A Deep Bond......................................................................366

22. Pune........................................................................................369

a. Bringing Out the Best in Everyone...........................................374
b. Being Respectful....................................................................377

23. Russia......................................................................................379

a. AidingtheRussianMission,WhenNotinRussia......................385
b. India for Russia......................................................................387
c. ExemplaryDealings................................................................389
d. DealingwithDetractors...........................................................392
e. The Salted Bread Days 1971-88 ............................................393
f. Gopäla Kåñëa Mahäräja and Ananta-çänti Prabhu

– A Strong Friendship............................................................364
g. TheSaintlyHeroesofRussianSaìkértana.................................395
h. GodbrothersCampaigntotheRescue........................................396
i. Mahäräja,MäyäpurandMoscow.............................................398
j. Russia–theHareKåñëaExplosion...........................................398
k. Conclusion ...........................................................................401

24. East Africa...............................................................................403

a. (because of) Gopäla Kåñëa Mahäräja that
the Temple is Open.”.............................................................405

b. Nairobi–JewelofAfrica...........................................................406
c. Prabhupäda,HisDiscipleandtheSameAbsorption!................409
d. Fulfilling Prabhupäda’s Desire ............................................411

e. Following Prabhupäda 100% and the Appearance of
Sétä-Räma .........................................................................412

a. Mahäräja – Bhävagrähi Like His Lord..............................415
b. We Don’t Want to Take Service from Kåñëa ...................416
c. Rädhä-Bäìkebihäré and the Other Three Temples.............417

25. Canada 421

a. Gopäla Kåñëa Mahäräja and ISKCON Pioneer
in Canada..........................................................................423

b. Dealing with Devotees.......................................................425
a. A Pillar of ISKCON...........................................................427
b. Mahäräja’s Personal Sädhana and Deity Worship.............430
c. Shelter for Thousands..........................................................432

26. Pakistan...............................................................................435

a. Mahäräja in Pakistan – The Early Difficult Years.............438
b. Karuëäsindhu Prabhu – A Rock-steady Devotee...............441
c. Dealing with a Breach of Trust..........................................441
d. Pakistan – Preaching Success.............................................443

27. China...................................................................................445

a. Viviene and Bobby
– A Miraculous Transformation .......................................446

28. Karuëä (Sanskrit for compassion) in the
Time of Corona..................................................................... 453

29. Management Style of the Perfect Follower.......................459

30. Management Sutras.............................................................456

a. Lessons in management from His Holiness Gopäla
Kåñëa Mahäräja during lockdown........................................485

b. Sütra of All Sütras................................................................491

31. Mahäräja and Heads of State............................................ 493
32. Book Distribution...............................................................503
33. Troubleshooting Beyond His Zones............................... 507
34. Prabhupäda’s Man..............................................................514
35. Afterword.............................................................................543

Acknowledgement

Words fail us in our endeavour to H.G. Çyämasundara Prabhu who
gratefully acknowledge the invaluable along with his good wife Mälaté Mätäjé
support and contribution of many had accompanied Yamunä Mätäjé
wonderful Vaiñëavas towards making to London on Çréla Prabhupäda’s
this book what it is. instructions left us speechless with his
kind and rapid-fire response to our
In particular, H.H. Jayapatäkä questionnaire as well as his personal
Mahäräja, H.H. Bhakti-cäru Mahäräja appreciation for H.H. Gopäla Kåñëa
and H.G. Bhürijana Prabhu — Çréla Mahäräja.
Prabhupäda’s senior disciples and
close friends of H.H. Gopäla Kåñëa Scores of devotees, from all around
Gosvämé Mahäräja who shared their the world magnanimously responded
heartfelt appreciation for Mahäräja to our telephone calls and e-mails
and his incomparable services and willingly shared their sincere
and personal qualities, engaged in admiration for Mahäräja’s glorious
Çréla Prabhupäda’s service. It’s an service to fulfill Çréla Prabhupäda’s
irreparable loss for us that H.H. dream in Delhi.
Bhakti-cäru Swami Mahäräja who
gave of a substantial portion of his time, It’s a proud privilege for us to share
to be interviewed for this project, has with everyone, the names of these kind
left the planet to continue his service and eminently supportive Vaiñëavas.
to Çréla Prabhupäda elsewhere. His
sincere and thoughtful reflections on From Russia, H.H. Bhakti Vijïäna
Gopäla Kåñëa Mahäräja will remain Gosvämé Mahäräja, H.H. Bhakti
an integral and inspirational part of Ratnäkara Ambaréña Mahäräja,
this offering. H.G. Yaçomatinanadana Prabhu and
H.G. Aniruddha Prabhu — shared
H.G. Yamunä Mätäjé, Çréla not only their personal experiences
Prabhupäda’s early disciple and a of Mahäräja’s infinite qualities and
legendary preacher kept us spellbound contributions to Çréla Prabhupäda’s
with an account of the early days in movement, but gave us also an
Delhi. We are truly blessed to have intense perception of the innumerable
had this opportunity to interview her, sacrifices Mahäräja rendered in
a few years before her departure from executing the most difficult service
the planet. of preaching behind the Iron Curtain

1

to take forward and water the seed the continuously evident greatness
planted by Çréla Prabhupäda in the of his spiritual master and his never
erstwhile Soviet Union. changing transcendental qualities
interspersed with the sweetness of his
From Kenya, H.G. Umäpati Prabhu, personal dealings.
H.G. Mänasé-gaìgä Mätäjé and H.G.
Puëòaréka Prabhu clearly revealed From Pakistan, H.G. Çyämänanda
to us how Gopäla Kåñëa Mahäräja Kåñëa Prabhu and H.G. Karuëäsindhu
took up a deteriorating project and Prabhu captivated us with their
energised it as his personal service uncompromising surrender to
to Prabhupäda. Though it was not Mahäräja in preaching the message
even originally in his span of services, of Godhead in extremely testing
these devotees shared how Mahäräja conditions in Pakistan and making it
was clarifying at every step how Çréla unfold before us as to how Mahäräja
Prabhupäda’s vision for Kenya and patiently built a now recognised
Africa was to be gradually unravelled. society in Pakistan through personal
Our hearts go out to these devotees visits and intense commitment to the
who are fulfilling Çréla Prabhupäda’s mission. H.G. Räma-yajïa Prabhu
vision in Africa and are also working had kindly arranged for us, the
diligently to fulfil Gopäla Kåñëa photographs and the rare interview
Mahäräja’s continuing vision. with H.G. Karuëäsindhu Prabhu
who unfortunately left us after a
H.H. Bhakti Dhéra Dämodara glorious lifetime in translating Çréla
Swami Mahäräja who is the mentor Prabhupäda’s books into Urdu on the
and inspiration for many of Gopäla instructions of Mahäräja.
Kåñëa Mahäräja’s disciples, sent in his
priceless thoughts and experiences in FromVåndävana,H.G.Dénabandhu
his personal dealings with Mahäräja Prabhu, H.G. Daivé-çakti Mätäjé, H.H.
and his disciples both from Nigeria Bhakti Äçraya Vaiñëava Mahäräja,
where he is based and from all over and H.G. Dharmätmä Prabhu brought
India. to life for us through their eminently
personal interviews how the Kåñëa-
From Canada, H.G. Bhakti-yoga Balaräma temple developed from
Prabhu, one of the early disciples of the days of Prabhupäda and how
Gopäla Kåñëa Mahäräja, highlighted Gopäla Kåñëa Mahäräja is a 100%
to us through his kind and patient Prabhupäda man in making it remain
responses to our innumerable queries, unchanged in its development plans

2

and initiatives, completely in line with as well as preaching to VIPs. H.G.
Çréla Prabhupäda’s transcendental Kamalalocana Prabhu and H.G.
plans for this transcendental realm. Harña Govinda Prabhu narrated to
us how Mahäräja handheld the Mira
From Mäyäpur, H.H. Bhakti Road project to completion, H.G.
Puruñottama Mahäräja not only shared Cakravarté Prabhu shared several
his personal experiences with Gopäla management sütras of Mahäräja
Kåñëa Mahäräja as an exemplary which are exemplars for all as well as
manager, preacher, trouble shooter his travel to China and H.G. Varäha
and someone who is most keen, Rüpa Mätäjé brought to life her long
involved and contributing, towards the association with Mahäräja from
Mäyäpur project, but also thrilled us Kenya through Våndävana, till Juhu.
with his descriptions of the proximity
and friendship between Mahäräja and From Delhi NCR, all the leaders
Jayapatäkä Swami Mahäräja. whom we met or interviewed, were
personally chosen, engaged, and in
From Mumbai, H.H. Giriräja many cases personally trained by
Mahäräja who shared a long history Gopäla Kåñëa Mahäräja.
of service together with Gopäla Kåñëa
Mahäräja at Juhu – overwhelmed H.G. Mohana Rüpa Prabhu, H.H.
us by sharing the manuscript of his Bhakti Rakñaka Rädhä Golokänanda
book which contained references Swami Mahäräja, H.G. Kåñëa Priya
to Mahäräja – even before it was Prabhu, H.G. Rukmiëé Kåñëa Prabhu,
published! H.G. Devakénandana H.G. Gopéñvara Prabhu, H.G.
Prabhu, H.G. Bhéma Prabhu, H.G. Amogha Lélä Prabhu, H.G. Keçava
Brajahari Prabhu, H.G. Aniruddha Murari Prabhu, H.G. Sundara Gopäla
Candra Prabhu, H.G. Rämarüpa Prabhu, H.G. Nélakaëöha Prabhu, H.G.
Prabhu, H.G. Mukunda Mädhava Mahämantra Prabhu, H.G. Çukapriya
Prabhu – all, shared eternally Prabhu to name a few. They as well
invigorating accounts of Prabhupäda as H.G. Trikälajïa Prabhu who was
and Mahäräja in Juhu and their handpicked by Mahäräja from London
personal experiences with Mahäräja. and who served at a critical juncture
H.G. Süradäsa Prabhu – one of the of the construction as the Temple
senior most disciples of Mahäräja President gave us several fascinating
was eminently forthcoming about accounts of Mahäräja and his glorious
Mahäräja’s contributions to Juhu, the qualities. All these devotees gave us
upcoming massive Kharghar project, patient hours of interviews and online

3

responses from their hectic schedules. his promptness in responding to our
H.G. Tejéyas Prabhu who had himself, calls and mails. We feel unhappy that
taken great pains to build ISKCON we could not manage to get personal
in Delhi step by step, provided us a interviews with H.G. Säkñi Gopäla
treasure house of details about Çréla Prabhu, Mahäräja’s dear disciple and
Prabhupäda and ISKCON in Delhi, the person who has singlehandedly
despite, in his own words – a failing laboured to make this transcendental
memory. H.G. Jïänagamya Prabhu, dream a reality.
Çréla Prabhupäda’s disciple, who had
kindly granted us an interview in From Gurukula, H.G. Rädhäkänta
2011 is unfortunately, no longer with Prabhu allowed himself not only to
us on this planet and we submit our be interviewed, but kindly ensured
unqualified prayers of gratitude to through several inspiring incidents
him for his immense contributions to that Çréla Prabhupäda’s vision for the
the “Glory of India” Museum project. Gurukula was highlighted as were
H.G. Gétä Çästra Prabhu who was one Mahäräja’s priceless endeavors to
of the most crucial contributors in the realize it.
construction of this glorious project
could unfortunately not provide us Keçava Balaräma Prabhu, Jayanté
the entire wealth of experiences with Devé and Vivienne from China,
him because of his failing memory. astounded us with how Mahäräja
That however did not stop him from is becoming an instrument of Çréla
sharing with us priceless photographs Prabhupäda’s mercy in this most
of the construction which we have unlikely destination for Kåñëa
utilized in this book. Consciousness. Their eagerness to
respond to our requests and their
From Kurukñetra, H.G. Priya sincerity towards the movement is
Govinda Prabhu, who is in charge of tough to match.
the construction of the magnificent
Kåñëa-Arjuna temple, kindly Our transcribing team including
shared with us the magnitude of this H.G. Rasikapriya Çyäma Prabhu —
mammoth project, Prabhupäda’s who facilitated the entire project by
flawless vision and Mahäräja’s his timely inputs, transcription and
inimitable surrender to this vision. His carefully scrutinised proof reading,
patience in answering our multiple H.G. Gaìgä-çakti Mätäjé — who
queries could only be matched by rendered incomparable assistance by

4

personally completing a substantial We seek to beg forgiveness from
portion of the transcriptions herself several Vaiñëavas who willingly
— an immensely difficult though granted us time to interview them, but
pleasurable exercise, H.G. Vaiñëava could unfortunately not be featured in
Muräri Prabhu, H.G. Rasika Keçava this particular offering due to various
Prabhu, H.G. Sadguëamaya Näräyaëa technical reasons. These include the
Prabhu, H.G. Bhakti Arcanä Mätäjé, following:
H.G. Räëé Satyabhämä Mätäjé, H.G.
Nanda Mätäjé, H.G. Änandapradä From Russia, H.G. Govinda Mätäjé,
Mätäjé and H.G. Nandiné-rüpa Mätäjé, From Mumbai H.G. Jagatpuruña
all put into text, the memorable words Prabhu, H.G. Vanmälé Prabhu, H.G.
spoken by more than 80 memorable Lakñmé-Näräyaëa Prabhu, H.G.
Vaiñëavas. Padmanäbha Prabhu, H.G. Nitäi Pada
Kamala Prabhu, H.G. Dhanvantari
The many wonderful devotees Prabhu, H.G. Amåta Mätäjé.
who shared their memories in
the form of rare and invaluable From Delhi, H.G. Çrédhäma Prabhu
photographs are far too many to take – one of Çréla Prabhupäda’s earliest
individual names. We would like to disciples from Delhi who brought
express our unending gratitude for to reality before us his personal
their extraordinary kindness! We interactions with Çréla Prabhupäda
would also like to acknowledge the as well Mahäräja; while glorifying
contribution of H.G. Divya Keçava Mahäräja, H.G. Urmilä Mätäjé, H.G.
Prabhu. He put this whole offering Kåñëäìgé Mätäjé and H.G. Gaìgädäsa
together as a comprehensive design Prabhu were so “giving” in their
marvel – Thank you is a very limited compassionate communication that it
phrase for his unlimited surrender to pains us that we could not adequately
this offering! feature them here.

This whole project is reaching It will be our sincere endeavour to
you because of the magnanimous ensure that each one of the missing
financial support from H.G. Advaita interviews and discussions touches the
Äcärya Prabhu and H.G. Jagannätha lives of devotees, eventually.
Priya Prabhu from the US. They also
provided a very important content H.H. Lokanätha Swami Mahäräja,
support by arranging for the interview so very kindly extended his helping
of H.H. Jayapatäkä Swami Mahäräja. hand by agreeing to kindly write the

5

foreword to this book drawing from H.H. Gopäla Kåñëa Mahäräja’s life,
his many years of service to Çréla teachings and personal examples
Prabhupäda, together with Gopäla inspire you to serve Prabhupäda even
Kåñëa Mahäräja, and also has helped further. Hare Kåñëa.
us at several points of time in this
project. Its only befitting that one (A few servants of H.H. Gopäla
of the former Temple Presidents of Kåñëa Gosvämé Mahäräja who pray
ISKCON Delhi and close friends of for your mercy to remain his servants,
Gopäla Kåñëa Mahäräja unveil this birth after birth.)
project of a lifetime to the readers.
May 27th, 2020
To everyone who reads this book, (51st Anniversary of H.H. Gopäla
we wish you a lifetime of service
to Çréla Prabhupäda and pray that Kåñëa Gosvämé Mahäräja’s
Initiation from Çréla Prabhupäda)

6

Foreword

Gopäla Kåñëa Mahäräja and I were co-president of ISKCON Bombay
peers, struggling through and growing with Giriräja Mahäräja, to offset
together during the formative years the criticism that ISKCON was too
of ISKCON. He constantly watched westernized. It was Mahäräja who
me on his radar screen, provided convinced Prabhupäda to appoint
opportunities for me to grow by me Head and In-Charge of the
increasing my responsibilities and BBT (Bhaktivedanta Book Trust)
enabling my development. Even Traveling Saìkértana Party along
when I tried to escape his tenacious with my Bullock Cart Saìkértana
grip, he would track me down. It was Party. Mahäräja has since then been
impossible to resist his profound and managing the BBT. In many ways,
judicious leadership. When Gopäla our lives are inextricably intertwined
Kåñëa Mahäräja became the GBC in our service to Çréla Prabhupäda,
(Governing Body Commission) of and our hearts will always remain
India in March 1975, he suggested to perpetually blended.
Çréla Prabhupäda that I be appointed

7

Before Mahäräja came to India to Glory of India Vedic Cultural Centre.
take up the responsibility of GBC, Up until then we were together in
Çréla Prabhupäda wrote in a letter that Delhi, as I had moved across Yamunä
for half a decade no new temple had on to Noida side. Even after shifting to
been built in the capital of India. Çréla Noida, I continued to serve Mahäräja
Prabhupäda believed that Delhi was in Noida, as well as in the state of
the most important city in India and a Maharashtra in my capacity as regional
very good propaganda center because secretary of the zone. Mahäräja’s
of the foreign embassies, diverse astute leadership is manifested
cultural people, schools and colleges, in this monumental publication,
libraries and most importantly, ‘India’s Glory: Prabhupäda’s Desire
different printing houses. Çréla Fulfilled…in Delhi.’ Gopäla Kåñëa
Prabhupäda instructed him to develop Mahäräja’s achievements in Delhi are
Delhi and Mahäräja has taken that certainly a remarkable splendor.
instruction to heart.
As I went through the contents of
Becoming the president of this book, I was feeling appropriately
ISKCON’s Delhi temple in 1978, was sentimental, rekindling the adoration
what I considered to be my first really and love that I feel for this exemplary
substantial service, and when Gopäla soul.
Kåñëa Mahäräja decided to focus his
efforts in Delhi, I began working with This book is a testimony of
him very closely to develop it as Çréla Gopäla Kåñëa Gosvämé’s excellence
Prabhupäda had envisaged during his in devotional service to his spiritual
founding years in Delhi. master, Çréla Prabhupäda. In my
humble association with Mahäräja
From being temple president to over the many years, I know him to
regional secretary, I had the rare have established the most number of
opportunity to work closely with temples, made ineradicable history
and in Gopäla Kåñëa Mahäräja’s in the number of books distributed,
administration to bring one iconic made countless devotees, organized
temple to completion. When we the maximum number of festivals,
procured the ideal land after much worshipped innumerable Deities
struggle, Gopäla Kåñëa Mahäräja and cultivated an endless number
and I commenced the construction of government heads of state,
of ISKCON Delhi’s first ever temple, officials, leaders, prime ministers and
Çré-Çré Rädhä-Pärthasärathi Mandir, presidents. This is undoubtedly an
and the temple project was entitled unmatchable record of a timeless list

8

as noted through the comprehensive Through his accomplished writing,
coverage in this book, ‘India’s Glory: Satyaräja Prabhu adeptly traces Çréla
Prabhupäda’s Desire Fulfilled…in Prabhupäda’s footsteps in Delhi/
Delhi.’ Våndävana for preaching purposes
in the early 1950s, capturing the
Satyaräja Prabhu, the writer of challenges of a founding organization
this book and a disciple of Çréla and his unlimited enthusiasm to
Prabhupäda, has authored more than develop Kåñëa consciousness. The
thirty books on Vaiñëavism and related historical analysis moves beyond
subjects. Given this vast experience, simple description. Satyaräja Prabhu
Satyaräja is an inspired writer with navigates this two-part book expertly.
incredible literary strength. He is It is a masterful look at the life of
thus able to skillfully navigate core Gopäla Kåñëa Mahäräja’s life time
philosophical components of Gauòéya work in the service of Çréla Prabhupäda.
Vaiñëavism with much ease. The intensity of the writer’s emotion is

9

sharp and the pace with which these …in Delhi’, an overview of Vaiñëavism
emotions emerge to describe Gopäla and a well-researched description of
Kåñëa Mahäräja, makes this book a Delhi are presented. In presenting
powerfully gripping read. Delhi as “replete with memories of
its sacred bygone days and hints of
In Part One of this book, ‘India’s its glorious past,” one immediately
Glory: Prabhupäda’s Desire Fulfilled feels drawn towards this epic city and

10

the intangible charm that it offers. Mahäräja has a matchless record of
Çréla Prabhupäda’s phenomenal having the largest concentration of
achievements are also documented in temples in one location in the world.
Part One of the book. His Holiness,
Gopäla Kåñëa Gosvämé is finally I join the chorus of voices of senior
the focus, emerging as a remarkable god brothers, disciples and well-
disciple of Prabhupäda. wishers continue to capture Gopäla
Kåñëa Mahäräja’s achievements,
In Part Two, the unlimited glories from Delhi to Africa, from Russia
of devotional service of Gopäla Kåñëa to America, spreading love of
Mahäräja are vividly portrayed by Kåñëa, intercontinentally, and with
senior devotees, his disciples, and exceptional vigor. I have come
other well-wishers who had the to know Mahäräja as an ideal of
wonderful opportunity to engage avyartha-kälatvam — “never wasting
with Mahäräja. Multiple stories are a moment of time.” Part Two thus
assembled, and these narratives come paints a more intimate, detailed, and
together into a pattern that gives refined portrait of its chief subject,
Gopäla Kåñëa Mahäräja an incredible Gopäla Kåñëa Mahäräja and his
legacy. The many narratives, including tireless efforts to fulfil Prabhupäda’s
mine, contain common threads of instructions.
complete adulation and utmost respect
for Gopäla Kåñëa Mahäräja, his Çréla Prabhupäda also instructed
unstinting devotion to the instructions Gopäla Kåñëa Mahäräja to get Çréla
of his spiritual master to build many Prabhupäda’s books translated in
temples, his tireless preaching efforts Hindi and other Indian languages,
essentially through book printing printing and distribution as he wanted
and distribution, preaching and India to be the world leader in book
establishment of sixteen temples and distribution, and it has emerged as the
counting. world leader today, by his mercy and
the enduring hard work of Mahäräja.
If Bombay was the office of
Çréla Prabhupäda, then Delhi has His association with Çréla
become the office of Gopäla Kåñëa Prabhupäda has brought him
Mahäräja, who has successfully contentment and deep, abiding joy.
overseen the establishment of I could easily see this in his ardent
seventeen temple projects in the city and enduring accomplishments over
of Delhi and the National Capital the years. Gopäla Kåñëa Gosvämé
Region. Undoubtedly, Gopäla Kåñëa continues to work humbly, serving

11

Çréla Prabhupäda, fulfilling his as a spiritual leader had to be shared.
presence in this world with loving Following in the footsteps of our
kindness. My fascination with Gopäla spiritual master, Çréla Prabhupäda,
Kåñëa Gosvämé will remain long after Gopäla Kåñëa Mahäräja’s incredible
the final pages of this book has been efforts will surely become
read, and my reverence for him more immortalized.
deeply rekindled in my heart.
This book is an embellishment
The book is breathtaking, and of Gopäla Kåñëa Mahäräja’s legacy
when one is in conversation about through which the mission of Çréla
Gopäla Kåñëa Gosvämé, it can never Prabhupäda and Lord Caitanya will
be comprehensive enough. However, continue to flourish forevermore.
there is a singular message that
streams through the entire book: the Lokanätha Swami
glorification of a powerful and most 5 July 2020, Guru (Vyäsa)
astute spiritual leader, Gopäla Kåñëa
Mahäräja, whose endless endeavors Pürëimä, Pandharpur
needed to be authored, whose life had (I also pay homage to a spiritual
to be chronicled, and whose wisdom legend, His Holiness Bhakti Cäru
Swami as I write this foreword)

12