His Holiness Giriraj Swami has unveiled his latest book, Dancing White Elephants: Traveling with Srila Prabhupada in India, August 1970–March 1972, published by BBT Australia and launched in Vrindavan on November 14 during the auspicious Govardhana-puja celebrations. 

Based in Carpinteria, California, Giriraj Swami is one of the most senior sannyasis in ISKCON—and a dear disciple of Srila Prabhupada, who, having read an article by him in Back to Godhead in Gorakhpur in February 1971, told him, “You should write. This is your first business.” Srila Prabhupada then asked young Giriraj to travel with him so that Prabhupada could train him in writing. Because he was engaged in other service, Giriraj was not able to follow Srila Prabhupada’s instruction at the time. Still, he never forgot it, and he picked it up years later when he embarked on writing several books: Watering the Seed; Many Moons: Reflections on Departed Vaishnavas; Life’s Final Exam: Death and Dying from the Vedic Perspective; I’ll Build You a Temple: The Juhu Story; and now Dancing White Elephants.

This new book will capture the minds and hearts of readers and increase their attachment to and love for Srila Prabhupada and his white elephants (his disciples who helped him in his mission). In her foreword, Malati Dasi encourages readers, “This book is a page-turner to the highest degree; once you begin, you just can’t put it down. Through Maharaja’s carefully chosen words, you will see the exquisite sights and feel like you are living the experiences that were part of establishing the Hare Krishna Movement in India. You will meet incredible devotees, who became pillars of this movement through their own storied spiritual growth and advancement, and be introduced to seemingly ordinary persons whose lives became transformed by contact with Prabhupada and his ‘dancing white elephants,’ just as he envisioned.”

Giriraj Swami reading to gathered devotees on Srila Prabhupada’s Disappearance Day festival, Vrindavan, 2023.

In a narrative spanning four hundred pages and illustrated with captivating images, Dancing White Elephants chronicles the journey of the World Sankirtan Mission, the small group of dedicated disciples whom Srila Prabhupada brought with him to Amritsar, Indore, Surat, Bombay, Calcutta, Allahabad, Gorakhpur, Delhi, Madras, and Mayapur.

Set against the backdrop of India’s social and political landscape, the book peels away the layers of spiritual propagation, attracting the interest of both spiritual seekers and students of history and politics and resonating with readers from diverse walks of life.

A team of devotees worked together on the book, conducting research, transcribing interviews, editing, proofreading, and formatting the text. Nikunja Vilasini Dasi, one of the team members, emphasizes the importance of the book and of Srila Prabhupada’s disciples’ crucial role in bringing his mission to India, “Like The Juhu Story, this book documents an important chapter in the history of ISKCON. We are enjoying the fruits of the hard work and sacrifices of these pioneer devotees who helped Srila Prabhupada spread Krishna consciousness in India by chanting through the streets, organizing preaching programs for him, and opening centers.”

With an initial print run of 20,000 copies in India, Dancing White Elephants has already drawn bulk orders worldwide, signaling great anticipation for its profound and moving narrative.

You can pre-order copies here.

For India orders, contact Vraja Bihari dasa or call +91 9819740527.

Watch the official book trailer here.

You can connect with HH Giriraj Swami on the following social media platforms: YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram, as well as with Giriraj Swami Media on Facebook.