From the River of Time: A Memoir from the Early Years of Soviet Krsna Consciousness
Title: From the River of Time: A Memoir from the Early Years of Soviet Krsna Consciousness
Author: Krishnananda Dasa
Publisher: Bookwrights Press
Publication Date: 2024
Language: English
Format: Paperback
Pages: 258
This book offers a firsthand narrative of the emergence of Krishna Consciousness in Russia, shared by one of its early devotees. Drawing from both personal experiences and accounts from others, it reveals the challenges and triumphs involved in establishing a spiritual movement in a region where religion was and still is discouraged, and sometimes even prohibited by law. Through stories and 103 photographs depicting the early days of the movement, readers gain insight into the hardships endured by these courageous pioneers. Additionally, the book features 11 rarely seen photographs of Srila Prabhupada during his time in Moscow.
"From the River of Time: A Memoir from the Early Years of Soviet Krsna Consciousness" (often shortened to From the River of Time) is a personal memoir by Krishnananda Dasa (also credited as Krsnananda Dasa), a veteran devotee and one of the early pioneers of the Hare Krishna movement (ISKCON) in the former Soviet Union (USSR).
The book is a collection of firsthand memories recounting the challenging yet inspiring emergence and growth of Krishna consciousness in the USSR during its early years (primarily the late 1970s to 1980s/early 1990s, under communist restrictions). It details how devotees secretly practiced bhakti, distributed Srila Prabhupada's books, held underground meetings, faced persecution from authorities (e.g., KGB surveillance, arrests, and anti-religious policies), and persevered through determination and faith. Krishnananda shares personal stories of his own involvement, encounters with other early Russian devotees, the arrival of Prabhupada's teachings via smuggled books, the joy of first initiations, and the eventual opening up after perestroika. The narrative highlights themes of spiritual resilience, the power of the Holy Name in adverse conditions, and gratitude for Srila Prabhupada's mercy reaching even behind the Iron Curtain. It's written in a candid, reflective style—personal and devotional—offering an insider's view of ISKCON's history in Russia/Eastern Europe, similar to other regional memoirs in the tradition.
Devotees value it for its authenticity, historical insight into a unique chapter of the movement (where Krishna consciousness spread underground in a officially atheist state), and inspirational accounts of how bhakti triumphs over obstacles.
