Hinduism scholar, Steven Rosen explores the world of the Hare Krishnas, who have been instrumental in raising consciousness about vegetarianism and the plight of animals. Rosen gives a history of the Hare Krishna movement, its colourful singing and dancing, its sacred food distribution and delicious vegetarian cuisine. He examines the rise of Vaishnavism - the worship of the god Vishnu or Krishna - and shows how vegetarianism and animal rights was endorsed by the Vedic texts. Finally, Rosen illustrates how deeply Hare Krishnas have influenced the contemporary vegetarian movement and its call for ahimsa, or non-violence, to all living beings.

Author Biography

Steven Rosen is the author of some twenty books on Hindu-related subjects. He is an initiated disciple of Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and the editor-in-chief of the Journal of Vaishnava Studies, a peer-refereed academic journal that focuses on the culture and philosophy of Vaishnava-Hinduism. He and his family live in New York.