This year, Sankirtana Das, a disciple of Srila Prabhupada, is once again continuing his well-received, thought-provoking PowerPointt presentation (w/ Q&A) entitled “Why & How the Hare Krishna Movement Came to the West.”

In 1965, Srila Prabhupada, in his 70th year and with no financial support, hitched a ride on a freighter and arrived in NYC. Almost a year later, undergoing great difficulties, he opened a center in the Lower East Side amongst the hippies and created the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).

Prabhupada brought with him the ancient teachings of the Bhagavad-gita and the Yuga-Dharma meditation of the Hare Krishna prayer. In doing so, Prabhupada fulfilled a 500-year-old prophecy that the chanting of Hare Krishna would spread all over the world.

Sankirtana Das first presented his PowerPoint presentation in 2015 and 2016 to commemorate both the 50th anniversary of Prabhupada’s arrival in the West and the 50th anniversary of the founding of ISKCON.  He explains, “It’s been my good fortune to serve Srila Prabhupada in developing and presenting this PowerPoint. It’s so important to share Prabhupada’s story. It’s the type of story people love – someone taking great risks against all odds and then making such a valuable contribution by disseminating the teachings of Bhagavad Gita throughout the world. It’s unprecedented.”

Sankirtana Das and his wife, Ruci Dasi, have resided in New Vrindaban since 1976. Over the years he also served as a cook, was one of the original tour guides at Prabhupada’s Palace, and in the 1980’s developed the theater program (in college he majored in theater) Along the way, he participated in interfaith dialogue,  wrote three books, and is an award-winning author, and a recipient of a West Virginia Artist Fellowship Award. Sankirtana Das is a contributor to ISKCON News and also offers sacred storytelling programs. Presently, at age 77, he is working on two new books.

Sankirtana reflects, “Prabhupada wanted devotees to use their innate propensities to serve Krishna and guru. And for the most part, that’s what I’ve tried to do. Devotees around the  Krishna Movement are connecting with Prabhupada in their own unique ways: through their chanting, study of his books, their service in the temple, and their own personal service to Prabhupada and his devotees. To understand the Movement, we have to understand Srila Prabhupada and his overarching vision. You could never anticipate what he would say. He taught by his personal example how to treat others and how to present the philosophy. He was respectful and inclusive. Sometimes, his godbrothers in India were dismayed on how inclusive and liberal he was. Prabhupada gave us the greatest gift – the chanting of God’s sacred names.”

Srila Prabhupada teaching in an intimate scene with some of his earliest disciples.

Over the years Sankirtana has offered programs at colleges, libraries, churches, temples, and special events, including the 100th Anniversary of the  Parliament of the World’s Religions in 1993. He started a college preaching program at New Vrindaban in the late 1980s and has befriended numerous professors. On occasion, he had them as guests in his home. Often, they would invite him to their classes every year and/or also bring their students to New Vrindaban. Here are a few of the many endorsements:

“I am writing to thank you for the many wonderful programs that you provided for the students and faculty of Hanover…You are certainly an excellent resource for studying the Krishna Movement and the New Vrindaban Community.”   Dr. Robert Rosenthal, Hanover College

“Sankritana Das’ PowePoint presentation captures the profound sacred and spiritual depths of the Hare Krishna Movement by placing its arrival in the West into the social-cultural contexts of the times. Students of religion and culture come away with a deep appreciation for the Hare Krishnas’ sacred history, beliefs, practices, and sacred places…a compelling account…I am deeply grateful for Sankirtana’s fine contributions to my classes over the years.”  Dr. John L. Jackson, Emeritus Prof. of Religion & Black Studies, Denison University

“Your knowledgeable presentations, graciousness, sensitivity, time, and effort are very much appreciated.”  Dr. Joel Mlecko, Indiana University of Penn.

“People may have heard of the Hare Krishnas but have never heard the story of their leader, Srila Prabhupada. Literally on a prayer, he left India in the last years of his life to bring the Hare Krishna chant to the West, arriving at just the right time in American history.  Sankirtana has presented his story many times to my classes in an engaging and informative way, and also answering students’ questions to help them understand this vital and enduring International Society for Krishna Consciousness.” Dr. David Torbett, Marietta College

Today, he still travels on occasion and offers Zoom sessions for groups and sessions for visitors to New Vrindaban. There, Sankirtana and his wife live and participate in interfaith dialogue in a house that Srila Prabhupada stayed in during his last visit to the community in 1976. Sankirtana was present in that previous visit and is happy to bring pilgrims to the front lawn where Prabhupada spoke every evening during his stay.

His PowerPoint presentation – “Why & How the Hare Krishna Movement Came to West” – includes over 120 photos, illustrations, and quotes. It depicts the history of the Movement’s origins over 500 years ago in India, Swami Prabhupada’s improbable journey to America, a brief summary of the Bhagavad-gita, and the socio-political climate of the 1950s and 60s, which helped the Movement to flourish and spread all over the world in just a few short years. Sankirtana Das also draws upon his own experience as a former hippie and resident of NYC’s Lower East Side, where the Movement first took root.

The program, which runs 50 to 70 minutes, can be tailored to your needs. It is ideal for college students and those interested in Comparative Religious Studies, Hinduism, New Religious Movements, Cultural Anthropology, Sociology, 1960s Studies, and interfaith perspectives.

You’re welcome to contact Sankirtana Das through email by clicking here. For more information about his programs, books, and tours of New Vrindaban visit his websites www.Mahabharata-Project.com or www.FlyingMountainPress.wordpress.com.