New Delhi: The spiritual movement of AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada began when he travelled to the West in the 1960s and founded the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, which has since grown into a global network of temples, followers and humanitarian initiatives.
On 7 January, that legacy was the focus of a gathering at the Vice President’s Enclave in New Delhi, where leaders, scholars and devotees came together for the launch of Hindol Sengupta’s Sing, Dance and Lead: Leadership Lessons from the Teachings of Srila Prabhupada, Founder Acharya of ISKCON. The book examines how faith, discipline and service shaped Prabhupada’s model of leadership.
“His leadership proves that nothing is ever too late — only values and effort matter,” said Vice President CP Radhakrishnan Prabhupada’s decision to begin his global mission in his seventies.
In attendance were many spiritual leaders, political leaders, academics, and social workers, such as ISKCON-Bengaluru President Madhu Pandit Das and Akshaya Patra Foundation vice-chairman and co-founder Chanchalapati Das.
The book discusses India’s spiritual and guru-shishya (teacher-student) traditions, chronicling how Prabhupada established a global movement and translated the disciplines of service and faith that led to the founding of ISKCON and the Akshaya Patra Foundation, a charitable trust dedicated to eliminating classroom hunger.
“Sing, Dance and Lead reflects on leadership as a way of life, rooted in values, service, discipline and joy rather than authority or power,” said Radhakrishnan, launching the book.
“Srila Prabhupada’s journey shows that nothing is ever too late — only values and effort matter. He led not by command but by example, not by imposing but by inspiring, and in doing so built an institution that transcends geography, race and economic divides. In an age of speed and distraction, his life reminds us that inner discipline must guide public action and that moral clarity is the true foundation of lasting leadership,” the vice president added.
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A book discussion like no other
While the Vice President’s Enclave has hosted many such events, there was something different and unique about this one. In fact, audience members were not allowed to take their phones inside the event space, and journalists were given a paper pen to make notes as the hall filled with people.
It had no political agenda, no policies, but a spiritual guiding principle and a history of ISKCON, which is now seen as a leading force in the Indian spiritual world.
Author and historian Sengupta said that through his book, he hoped to show how big the community has and what it took to build it, rather than just showing ISKCON people dancing, singing and distributing GITA at metro stations and streets.
“Prabhupada’s story is not just one of devotion, but of institution-building,” said Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat at the launch. “He had the rare ability to turn ideas into movements, beliefs into systems and vision into continuity, reminding us that leadership is not an entitlement but a responsibility.”
“Prabhupada’s life shows how ideas can become institutions and vision can become continuity. He translated belief into systems and culture into public service, reminding us that leadership is not about entitlement, but about responsibility and moral purpose,” Shekhawat added.
“The work on the histories and theologies of India is a lifelong journey, and I feel I have just started on this journey. India needs to learn how to live and how to lead from its own incredible theological history, which is largely untapped,” Sengupta said.
“Sing, Dance and Lead is an attempt to build this corpus of knowledge, combining ancient wisdom and modern leadership techniques. Everything I have done is due to the encouragement of Shri Madhu Pandit Dasa and Sri Chanchalapathi Dasa of ISKCON Bangalore, the blessings of Vishwaguru Srila Prabhupada and the infinite grace of Sri Krishna,” he added.
(Edited by Insha Jalil Waziri)