THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF SWAMI VIVEKANANDA

Historian and author Hindol Sengupta in conversation with author Ruth Harris reviewed his book, 'Sing, Dance and Pray: The Inspirational Story of Srila Prabhupada FounderAcharya of ISKCON' on the fourth day of Jaipur Literature festival on Sunday.

The story of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder of ISKCON, is traced in historian Hindol Sengupta’s new book. The book sketches the moving account of Srila Prabhupada’s mission to introduce the ancient teachings of Vedic India to mainstream America and spread the ‘Hare Krishna Movement’. In conversation with author and academic Makarand R. Paranjape, Sengupta discussed Vivekananda’s life and experiences in the USA and India whereas Harris said, “It is the double-sidedness of his m e s s a g e that makes him both profoundly provocative, stimulating, and at the same time, difficult to understand because it seems like it is a lack of coherence, but I would say it isn’t…” The session also examined Sarada Devi’s influence in his life and the role of women who are often neglected in the lives of 'great men'. Also explored was the duality of Vivekananda’s thought, wherein he faced the dilemma of learning new things from the West, and deflecting cliched criticisms of India.