Tamal Krishna Goswami

In this article, we will explore and analyze Tamal Krishna Goswami from different perspectives and angles of approach. Tamal Krishna Goswami is a topic that has sparked interest and debate in various areas, generating conflicting opinions and deep reflections. Throughout these pages, we will delve into the different aspects that comprise Tamal Krishna Goswami, from its history and evolution to its implications in contemporary society. Its ramifications in the social, economic, cultural and political sphere will be examined, in order to offer a comprehensive and detailed vision of this topic that is so relevant today. Through exhaustive analysis, we seek to shed light on Tamal Krishna Goswami and its consequences, opening the door to critical and constructive reflection that invites deliberation and dialogue.

His Holiness
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa Gosvāmī
Śrīla Gurudeva
TitleGuru-Ācārya
Personal life
Born
Thomas G. Herzig

June 18, 1946
New York City, USA
DiedMarch 15, 2002 (aged 55)
Phuliya, West Bengal, India
NationalityAmerican
Religious life
ReligionHinduism
PhilosophyAchintya Bheda Abheda
LineageBrahma-Madhva-Gauḍīya Sampradāya
SectGauḍīya Vaiṣṇavavāda
Monastic nameTamāla Kṛṣṇa Gosvāmī
OrdinationGauḍīya Sannyāsa, by Bhaktivedānta Swāmī
InitiationGauḍīya Vaiṣṇava Dikṣa
1968
USA
by Bhaktivedānta Swāmī
Religious career
TeacherBhaktivedānta Swāmī
PostISKCON Sannyasin, ISKCON Guru-Ācārya, ISKCON Governing Body Commissioner
Period in office1972–2002 (GBC), 1977–2002 (Guru)
PredecessorBhaktivedānta Swāmī
WebsiteWebsite

Tamal Krishna Goswami (IAST: Tamāla Kṛṣṇa Gosvāmī; June 18, 1946 – March 15, 2002), born Thomas G. Herzig in New York City, New York, United States, served on the International Society for Krishna Consciousness's Governing Body Commission from its inception in 1970. He completed a bachelor's degree in religious studies at Southern Methodist University.[1]

Honorifics

  • His Holiness
  • Srila Gurudeva
  • Maharaja

Biography

Pushpa Samadhi of Srila Tamal Krishna Goswami in Mayapur

Born in Harlem, New York, he began associating with the Hare Krishna movement in 1968, and was accepted as a disciple by A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda soon thereafter. From 1975 until 1979, Tamal Krishna Goswami headed the "Radha-Damodara Party". The party consisted of hundreds of Bhaktivedanta Swami's disciples, who traveled around the USA on buses, distributing Bhaktivedanta Swami's books.[2]

The Governing Body Commission (GBC) is the managerial authority of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. ISKCON's founder, Bhaktivedanta Swami, created the GBC in 1972 and since that time it has met on an annual basis. Tamal Krishna Goswami was a member of this body from its beginning.[3]

Tamal Krishna Goswami maharaja left his body in a vehicular accident on 15 March 2002 at Phuliya in West Bengal, India.[4] His samadhi (tomb) is placed beside Bhaktivedanta Swami's samadhi in ISKCON Sri Mayapur Dhama, West Bengal, India.[5]

Literary contributions

Part of a series on
Vaishnavism
Closeup of Vishnu, seated in the lotus position on a lotus. From depiction of the poet Jayadeva bowing to Vishnu, Gouache on paper Pahari, The very picture of devotion, bare-bodied, head bowed, legs crossed and hands folded, Jayadeva stands at left, with the implements of worship placed before the lotus-seat of Vishnu who sits there, blessing the poet.
Supreme deity
Vishnu / Krishna / Rama
Important deities
Dashavatara
Other forms
Consorts
Related
Holy scriptures
Puranas
Sampradayas
Others
Teachers—acharyas
Related traditions

The Mysterious Pastimes of Mohini-murti

The Mysterious Pastimes of Mohini-murti is a 20th-century Hindu commentary by Tamal Krishna Goswami on the Goddess Mohini.

This commentary on the Hindu Goddess Mohini was produced by Tamal Krishna Goswami in the fall of 1993. Mohini-lila plays an important role on the periphery of Vaishnavism. There are two popular lilas of Mohini which can be found in Canto Eight (chapters 9 and 12) of the Bhagavata Purana. Mohini also plays a prominent role in the popular Hindu story known as "the churning of the ocean of milk", and her role in this story is mentioned in numerous Hindu texts, such as the two epics, most of the Puranas, and numerous vernacular literature. The Mysterious Pastimes of Mohini-murti is covered in two chapters of Bhaktivedanta Swami's translation and commentary on the Eight Canto of the Bhagavata Purana, Chapter 9, The Lord Incarnates as Mohini-murti[6] and Chapter 12, The Mohini-murti Incarnation Bewilders Lord Shiva.[7]

In this commentary, Bhaktivedanta Swami's discussions of Mohini-lila[8] especially as they relate to gender roles in verse 8.9.9[9] are analyzed and considered. This includes the notable passage from Bhaktivedanta Swami's commentary.

This commentary was released as a vinyl album in 1993. On the cover, there is an artistic rendering of an episode of Mohini-lila from the Bhagavata Purana. This depiction is used to illustrate the puranic text under discussion. The audio files are available online.[10]

Happiness is a Science

Happiness is a Science – Aditi's Vow is a 20th-century Hindu theological commentary made in 1993 by Tamal Krishna Goswami in regard to the Goddess Aditi as detailed in the eighth canto of the Bhagavata Purana. This commentary discusses Aditi's vow, Payovrata, which she undertakes for the benefit of her children the Adityas.

In the narrative, Mahabali Maharaja, king of the demons, had conquered the heavenly planets and driven out their rulers, the Ādityas – Aditi's children. The commentary by Tamal Krishna Goswami centers on Aditi's sacrifice in which she undertook a vow of importance (the vow which is referenced is Payovrata) and discusses why Aditi undertook this vow or vrata in order to bring her children back to the heavenly planets.

This commentary was released as a vinyl album in 1993. The audio files are available online.[11]

Books

  • Servant of the Servant. Los Angeles: Bhaktivedanta Book Trust. 1982. LCCN 82188137. OCLC 12751869. OL 3086416M.
  • Jagannātha-priya Nāṭakam – The Drama of Lord Jagannātha. Los Angeles, CA: Bhaktivedanta Book Trust. 1985. ISBN 978-0-947259-01-3. LCCN 85030828. OCLC 35022702. OL 11573482M.
Audiocassettes plus book.
Published as Yoga for the 21st Century in 1994 and Yoga for the New Millennium in 2000 (ISBN 978-0-9643485-0-9).

See also

Footnotes

  1. ^ "Biography on ISKCON.COM". Archived from the original on May 16, 2008.
  2. ^ "Biography on GOSWAMI.COM". Archived from the original on December 8, 2004. Retrieved May 25, 2005.
  3. ^ Das Goswami, S. (1982), Srila Prabhupada-lilamrta, Vol 4: In Every Town and Village, Around the World, 1968–71, Los Angeles: Bhaktivedanta Book Trust{{citation}}: CS1 maint: publisher location (link)
  4. ^ "Tamal Krishna Goswami". tamalkrishnagoswami.com. Retrieved September 27, 2019.
  5. ^ Schweig, G. M. (2005), "Dying the Good Death: The Transfigurative Power of Bhakti", The Intimate Other: Love Divine in Indic Religions: 399, ISBN 9788125028017, retrieved April 30, 2008
  6. ^ "Mohini-lila, Eighth Canto of the Bhagavata Purana, Chapter 9". Archived from the original on October 12, 2008. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
  7. ^ "Mohini-lila, Eighth Canto of the Bhagavata Purana, Chapter 12". Archived from the original on February 11, 2008.
  8. ^ "Prabhupada's Teachings to Tamal Krishna Goswami Concerning Mohini-lila". Archived from the original on February 11, 2008. Retrieved August 17, 2009.
  9. ^ "The Key Verse Discussed in the Mysterious Pastimes Lectures". Archived from the original on August 2, 2009. Retrieved August 17, 2009.
  10. ^ "TKGTM – Mysterious Pastimes of Mohini-murti – MP3". tkgtm.com.
  11. ^ "TKGTM – Happiness Is a Science – Aditi's Vow – MP3". tkgtm.com.
Papers and books by Tamal Krishna Goswami