Enter that sacred place within the memoirs of a young seeker lost in a world gone mad. Navigating through the cultural chaos of late 1960s America, her restless search for the "Why" leads her to the practice of yoga meditation. One day she picks up a magazine in a metaphysical bookshop and reads an intriguing description of a Swami who has come from India to teach the ultimate spiritual path of bhakti-yoga.

Witness firsthand her ecstatic joy as she discovers the transcendental world of her beloved guru, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, and how through loving service to him a destiny beyond her wildest dreams is revealed.

About Srila Prabhupada

His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, known to his early followers as "Swamiji" and later as "Srila Prabhupada," appeared in Calcutta, India, on September 1, 1896. He was given the name Abhay Caran by his father, which means "one who is fearless, having taken shelter at the lotus feet of the Lord." It was prophesied by a qualified astrologer at that time that he would eventually cross the ocean and open 108 temples in honor of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krishna. Srila Pra- bhupada appeared with a mission, and every step of his life was in preparation to fulfill it.

In 1965 at age 69, Srila Prabhupada crossed the Atlantic Ocean by cargo ship and in 1966 formed the International Society for Krishna Consciousness in New York. What he was offering became very popular, and he gradually opened branches throughout the Western world. He continued to preach and traveled around the globe 12 times, visiting every major country to introduce the science of bhakti- yoga, or devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead Sri Krishna, and the chanting of the Hare Krishna mahamantra.

His Divine Grace's mood was always humble. He admit- ted that his mission had not been easy, and he always gave full credit to his spiritual master and to the Lord Himself, exhibiting the most elevated mood of devotional service. He presented without adulteration the message he received from his spiritual predecessors.

Srila Prabhupada translated into English and provided authorized commentary upon over 80 volumes of the most sacred Vedic texts. His books are appreciated by widespread audiences and continue to be used as textbooks in many major universities.

Srila Prabhupada's mission spread quickly, as it is based on purity, simplicity, compassion, and perfect transmission of timeless wisdom through an authorized lineage of teachers. There was an amazing growth of Prabhupada's book production and distribution over a period of only 10 years. Thousands of seekers found their purpose in life through his teachings. It was an exciting time.

About the author 

In November 1966, Govinda dasi was in her senior year as an art student at the University of Texas at Austin when she and her soon-to-be husband went to San Francisco in search of a spiritual teacher. In January 1967, they met His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder-Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, in a newly opened storefront temple in the Haight-Ashbury district. They immediately recognized in him a towering intellect, a purity of purpose, and a sweet- ness of demeanor that was impossible to resist. Govinda dasi recalls feeling that "This was the center of the uni- verse. We had come home." They soon became initiated disciples and were married by the Swami.

From 1967 to 1969, Govinda dasi and her husband, Goursundar dasa, personally served and traveled with Srila Prabhupada, as he came to be known. Govinda dasi had the unique opportunity to be the only female disciple to serve as Srila Prabhupada's secretary and assistant. For almost a year and a half she cleaned his rooms, prepared his meals, read aloud his mail to him, took dictation, typed his letters, did his laundry, and walked him to the temple, where he gave lectures. Her husband served alongside her, taking Srila Prabhupada for his morning walks, giving him daily massage, debating philosophical points, and also studying and transliterating Sanskrit and Bengali text to assist in the publication of Srila Prabhupada's books. Govinda dasi's artistic talents were also employed to illustrate one of Srila Prabhupada's first books, Teachings of Lord Chaitanya, the Prablada slide show and children's book, and several Back to Godhead magazine covers.

In 1969, Srila Prabhupada sent the couple to open temples in Hawaii. He made many visits to the Islands, which he named "New Navadwip."

Govinda dasi is also the author and illustrator of numerous children's coloring books, including Gopal, Nimai, Jagannatha, Krishna, and Damodar. She resides in Louisiana and travels widely to speak about her time in the association of Srila Prabhupada in the early days, which she considers to be "the best years of my life."