– Early Life and Introduction to ISKCON:
– Yamuna Devi was part of the Beat Generation in North Beach, San Francisco.
– She met A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in New York City in 1966.
– Became an initiated disciple in 1967.
– Together with five Hare Krishna followers, she flew to London in 1968 to establish ISKCON in the UK.
– Introduced Beatles guitarist George Harrison to Gaudiya Vaishnava philosophy and practice.
– Musical Contributions and Achievements:
– Sang co-lead vocals on the 1969 Apple Records Hare Krishna Mantra single.
– The single reached number 12 on the UK Chart.
– Sang lead vocals on the 1970 Apple Records Govinda single.
– The single reached number 23 on the UK Chart.
– Both songs appeared on The Radha Krsna Temple album.
– Travels and Inspirational Figure:
– From 1970 to 1974, she lived and traveled in India with Srila Prabhupada.
– Cited as an inspiration by figures such as Jahnavi Harrison.
– Yamuna Devi has been the subject of various books detailing her life and contributions.
– Her travels and teachings have had a lasting impact on the Hare Krishna movement.
– Her association with Srila Prabhupada during her time in India influenced her spiritual journey.
– Recognition and Influence:
– Received the James Beard Foundation Award.
– Her cookbook “Lord Krishna’s Cuisine: The Art of Indian Vegetarian Cooking” is highly acclaimed.
– Contributed significantly to the promotion of vegetarianism through her teachings and writings.
– Her musical contributions with the Hare Krishna Mantra and Govinda singles were well-received.
– Yamuna Devi’s work continues to inspire individuals in the fields of music, cooking, and spirituality.
– Legacy and Publications:
– Several books have been written about Yamuna Devi, including “Yamuna Devi: A Life of Unalloyed Devotion.”
– Her role in establishing ISKCON in the UK and her travels with Srila Prabhupada are documented in various publications.
– Yamuna Devi’s teachings and contributions to Indian vegetarian cooking have left a lasting legacy.
– Her association with prominent figures like George Harrison and the Beatles has been documented in music history.
– The impact of her work continues to be felt in the realms of spirituality, music, and vegetarianism.
Yamuna Devi (also Yamunā Devī Dāsī; 19 May 1942 – 20 December 2011), born Joan Agnes Campanella in Butte, Montana was an American cookbook author, best known for her 1987 James Beard Foundation Award winning cookbook, Lord Krishna's Cuisine: The Art of Indian Vegetarian Cooking. She was also a senior member of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).
Yamuna Devi | |
|---|---|
| Born | Joan Agnes Campanella May 19, 1942 |
| Died | December 20, 2011 (aged 69) |
| Occupation |
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| Notable work | The Art of Indian Vegetarian Cooking (1987) |
Devi was part of the early 1960s Beat Generation in North Beach, San Francisco before meeting A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in New York City in 1966; becoming an initiated disciple in 1967. In 1968, together with five other Hare Krishna followers, Yamuna flew to London to establish ISKCON in the United Kingdom. There, she helped introduce Beatles guitarist George Harrison to Gaudiya Vaishnava philosophy and practice. Yamuna sang co-lead vocals on the 1969 Apple Records "Hare Krishna Mantra" single, which reached number 12 in the UK Chart. She also sang lead vocals on the 1970 Apple Records "Govinda" single, which reached number 23 in the UK Chart. Both appeared on The Radha Krsna Temple album.
From 1970 to 1974 she lived and travelled in India with Srila Prabhupada as part of the World Sankirtan Party.
She has been cited as an inspiration by figures such as Jahnavi Harrison.