“My Sweet Lord” – Celebrating George Harrison’s 80th Birthday
On the eve of what would have been “The Spiritual” Beatle’s 80th Birthday – Mayor of Liverpool, Joanne Anderson has been presented with copies of India’s spiritual classics.
George Harrison’s, Hare Krishna friend, Gurudas, who met the Beatle in 1968 has gifted copies of the Srimad Bhagavatam and Bhagavad-Gita to the city’s Central Library, where they will go on display.
These books are the classics of the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition popularised by the Hare Krishna movement, and inspired George’s spiritual life.
The texts had a profound influence on him, and this set of English translations gifted to Liverpool includes a book called Krsna, with a foreword written by George himself.
All of the Beatles visited India, but it was George who was most profoundly impacted by the experience.
He began to understand the deep connection between how Indian music is played, and what Hinduism teaches – and as a result, became immersed in spiritual thought, with the Krishna consciousness playing a defining role throughout his life.
Mayor Joanne said: “On the eve of what would have been his 80th birthday it is fitting that we are celebrating his life in his home city.
“We are incredibly proud of what he and the rest of the band achieved, and we celebrate their music – which still resonates across the world today.
“It is a great honour to accept on behalf of the city these books which we know are key texts and are ones that had a great influence on George’s life.”
Hare Krishna representative, Pradyumna Pradip Gajjar, who was inspired to bring the celebration to the city as a personal offering of gratitude, said: “February 2023 marks the 80th birthday of the spiritual Beatle, George Harrison.
For certain, the city will have many tributes and celebrations for George to mark this occasion. But in addition to this, I’m offering Liverpool a celebration specific to the spiritual life of the Spiritual Beatle.”