Tamal Krishna Goswami

Tamala Krishna Goswami (June 1946–March 15, 2002), born as Thomas G. Herzig in New York City, NY United States was a prominent figure in the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). He is specifically well known for his service rendered to the movement's leader A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada as his personal secretary and for his promotion of Gaudiya Vaishnava philosophy as an academic study in the western world.As a disciple of A. C Bhaktivedanta Swami, Tamal Krishna Goswami traveled the world speaking about the science of Bhakti yoga/ Krishna consciousness. He initiated over 1000 qualified people. Tamal Krishna Goswami served as a Governing Body Commissioner for ISKCON from 1970 to his passing in 2002. [ [http://www.iskcon.com/icj/contributors.html#tkg Biography on ISKCON.COM] ]

Background

Originally born into a Jewish family in Harlem New York USA, he began his association with the Krishna Consiousnessness movement in 1968 wherein he was soon accepted as an official disciple by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Tamal Krishna Goswami was to become an influential leader in the movement and acted as an official initiating spiritual master from 1977 onwards, establishing temples in France, Britain, India and the United States [ [http://www.goswami.com/Tamal_Krishna_Goswami/Biography/biography.html Biography on GOSWAMI.COM] ]

cholarship

Tamal Krishna Goswami was the author of several books on various religious subjects, including two classical Vedic dramas. [ [http://www.goswami.com/Tamal_Krishna_Goswami/Books/books.html Books written by Tamal Krishna Goswami] ] He was also doctoral student at the University of Cambridge, Clare Hall, under Dr. Julius J. Lipner [ [http://www.iskcon.com/icj/9_1/contributors.html#jl Biography on ISKCON Communications Journal website] ] where his thesis was on the theology of ISKCON's founder, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. At the time of his death, he had completed all but the conclusion. Dr. Lipner's intention is to publish this dissertation in Tamala Krishna Goswami's name [ [http://www.iskcon.com/icj/9_1/obit.html Obituary on ISKCON Communications Journal website] ] . He also studied at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas and received a bachelors degree in religious studies.

On the Term Krishnology

Krishnology is the discourse concerning the Hindu deity Krishna within the context of Vaishnava theology. Presently the term has been advanced by two prominent scholars. Tamal Krishna Goswami elaborated on this term during his research at the University of Cambridge. While a doctoral student, Tamal Krishna Gosvami studied under Dr. Julius J. Lipner and devoted his time to researching the 'Krishnology' of ISKCON's founder. Another scholar of Hinduism, Dr. Guy Beck, has published on the Krishnology of the Vaishnava sect known as the Radhavallabha Sampradaya. Dr. Beck expounds upon this research in his book "Alternative Krishnas: Regional and Vernacular Variations on a Hindu Deity".Fact|date=February 2008

Governing Body Commission

Governing Body Commission (GBC) is the name for the managerial authority of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. ISKCON's founder, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, 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 since its beginnings.citation
author = Das Goswami, S.
author-link = Satsvarupa dasa Goswami
year = 1982
title = Srila Prabhupada-lilamrta, Vol 4: In Every Town and Village, Around the World, 1968--71
publisher = Los Angeles: Bhaktivedanta Book Trust
isbn =
page = According to the letter of 28th July 1970 Prabhupada appointed following members to the commission
* 1. Śrīmān Rupanuga Das Adhikary
* 2. Śrīmān Bhagavandas Adhikary
* 3. Śrīmān Syamsundar Das Adhikary
* 4. Śrīmān Satsvarupa Das Adhikary
* 5. Śrīmān Karandhar Das Adhikary
* 6. Śrīmān Hansadutta Das Adhikary
* 7. "IAST|Śrīmān Tamala Kṛṣṇa Das Adhikary"
* 8. Śrīmān Sudama Das Adhikary
* 9. Śrīmān Bali Mardan Das Brahmacary
* 10. Śrīmān Jagadisa Das Adhikary
* 11. Śrīmān Hayagriva Das Adhikary
* 12. IAST|Śrīmān Kṛṣṇadas Adhikary]

Departure

He passed away in a car crash in India on March 15, 2002. He departure has occurred in a sacred area of Phuliyagrama, associated with a great saint, Haridasa Thakur marked by a memorial Samadhi at the side of Srila Prabhupada Puspa samadhi in Mayapur, where he passed.cite journal
author = Schweig, G.M.
year = 2005
pages = p.399
title = Dying the Good Death: The Transfigurative Power of Bhakti
journal = The Intimate Other: Love Divine in Indic Religions
url = http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&id=0FvH1aCXETwC&oi=fnd&pg=PA369&dq=Schweig,+Graham+M.&ots=2dUAIOo97P&sig=D-iX_vFBZwbYye_4qjrTSYpw6G0
accessdate = 2008-04-30]

ee also

*Vishnujana Swami
*The Mysterious Pastimes of Mohini-murti
*Happiness is a Science – Aditi’s Vow
*List of ISKCON members and patrons

Footnotes

External links

* [http://www.goswami.com/index.html Official Srila Tamal Krishna Goswami Website]
* [http://tkgtm.com Tamal Krishna Goswami Tape Ministry]
* [http://www.iskcon.org ISKCON Website]
* [http://www.iskcon.com/icj/9_1/obit.html "Obituary: Tamal Krishna Goswami" by Dr. Julius J. Lipner]
*cite web
url=http://www.dandavats.com/?p=6273
title= Project in Memory of HH Tamal Krishna Goswami
publisher=www.dandavats.com

Papers and Books by Tamal Krishna Goswami

* [http://www.iskcon.com/icj/9_1/obit.html Dr. Julius J. Lipner's Comments]
* [http://www.iskcon.com/icj/5_1/5_1perils.html Perils of Succession, Part 1]
* [http://www.iskcon.com/icj/5_1/5_1perils2.html Perils of Succession, Part 2]
* [http://www.goswami.com/Tamal_Krishna_Goswami/Books/books.html Books by Tamala Krishna Gosvami]