Sing, Dance and Pray, the inspirational story of Srila Prabhupada Founder-Acharya of ISKCON, by Hindol Sengupta is a fascinating tale of the charismatic leader. The book reveals several aspects, the struggles, the dedication, the adoring followers, the hard work, and hardships of the saint’s life. It is amazing, almost unbelievable, how Prabhupada established more than hundred temples when he was between seventy and eighty years of age and translated over sixty volumes of religious literature during about the same period! His story had to be told, and Hindol has done it well.
The author in his simple yet engaging style takes the reader through different phases of Srila Prabhupada’s life, from being lovingly called Kachori-mukhi to the student and then pharmacist Abhay Charan De to a full-time preacher A C Bhaktivedanta to Swami Bhaktivedanta, to Srila Prabhupada. During the journey, his admiration of Kshatriya spirit, his fondness for Netaji, his spiritual lineage, his internal struggles which Hindol has explained as his being ‘Divided in instinct between wanting to do the right thing for his family, and abandoning familial life altogether for a life in service of the divine‘all have been crisply discussed by the author.
As one reads about the saint’s expedition, one gets to know about the historical and political environs of the 1960s and 70s in India, USA and UK, and also understands how Prabhupada happened to be the right person, at the right time, at the right place. The time seems to be just right for the western society particularly, to absorb the teachings of A C Bhaktivedanta.
The biggest surprise of the book are the tasty recipes of three of the most common dishes A C Bhaktivedanta cooked. These and the beautiful photographs bringing to life all that one has been reading so far, seem like a treat by the author for having read half the book!
The second half of the book is more about the struggles Srila Prabhupada had to face while seeing his dream taking shape. The problems he encountered till the end of his life, the communications he had with his followers, his close associates, and the outsiders, at his age, makes one realize the efforts, persistence and courage that is needed to build such a dream and maintain it. But a man with a mission as he was, he stood up to all odds with grit and determination and of course Krishna’s blessings.
A very good read for all those who want to know about the man behind ISKCON. Hindol Sengupta has written his story very smoothly, keeping the reader effortlessly engaged. A reader may feel like knowing more about Prabhupada, particularly about his writings, and his thoughts and sharing about his writings.