The Great Transcendental Adventure: Pastimes of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Title:  The Great Transcendental Adventure: Pastimes of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in Australia and New Zealand

Author: Kurma Dasa

Publisher: Bookwrights Press

Publication Date:  1999

Language:  English

Format: Paperback

Pages: 676


This book recounts the beginning of the Hare Krishna Movement in Australia and New Zealand, focusing on the six visits Srila Prabhupada made to Australia from 1971 to 1976. The book does not merely contain factual records; it's a captivating story. Through his writing, readers are transported to that time and place, experiencing it alongside him and the other young devotees.

"The Great Transcendental Adventure: Pastimes of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in Australia and New Zealand" (often shortened to The Great Transcendental Adventure) is a detailed historical memoir and chronicle by Kurma Dasa (Kurma dasa or Kurma Prabhu), a long-time Australian devotee and disciple in ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness).

Kurma Dasa, originally from Australia and known for his pioneering role in the movement there (including as a chef, restaurant founder like Govinda's, and preacher), spent five years researching and conducting over 950 hours of interviews with devotees, witnesses, and participants. The book documents the early spread and growth of the Hare Krishna movement in Australia and New Zealand from the late 1960s to the mid-1970s, with a special focus on Srila Prabhupada's six (or nine, depending on counting) personal visits to the region between 1971 and 1976. It covers key events such as Prabhupada's arrivals, temple establishments (e.g., in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Auckland), preaching programs, festivals, book distribution efforts, devotee experiences, challenges faced (like cultural clashes or internal issues), and Prabhupada's direct guidance, mercy, and transcendental pastimes during those trips. The narrative is engaging, well-researched, and entertaining—blending historical facts, personal anecdotes, photos, and spiritual insights to show how Srila Prabhupada's presence transformed lives "down under" and laid the foundation for ISKCON in Oceania.

It's highly regarded in ISKCON communities as an inspirational, rigorous account of Prabhupada's global mission, often recommended for understanding regional history and the power of sankirtana (congregational chanting and preaching). Many devotees describe it as a "must-read" for its vivid portrayal of Prabhupada's energy, humility, and the "revolution" among young Australians/New Zealanders in the 1970s.