At a spiritually uplifting event, ‘The Journey Home – Autobiography of an American Swami’ by Radhanath Swami was officially launched in Mumbai on 21 August 2009.

“The Journey Home” which chronicles the metamorphosis of an adventurous young American seeker into a saintly global spiritual teacher, filled with inconceivable trials, threats and temptations, illustrates how reality can be more adventurous – and infinitely far more fulfilling – than fiction.

At a star-studded ceremony in Mumbai, renowned film actor and producer Juhi Chawla unveiled the book and expressed her appreciation for the author Radhanath Swami. The event was hosted by Dr. Swati Piramal, Director, Piramal Group & Chairman, Mr. Ajay Piramal. After a short question & answer session with Dr. Swati and Ajay Piramal, Radhanath Swami revealed how the inspiration to write the book came from his close friend – the late Bhakti Tirtha Swami. He expressed gratitude to his parents, spiritual guides from his journey and, most importantly, to his spiritual master A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada who led him to the path of Bhakti-yoga.

The ceremony was well attended by prominent citizens of Mumbai including Yash & Avanti Birla, N. D. Desai & Maithali Desai, Hrishikesh & Rekha Mafatlal, Madhoo, Nawaz Modi Singhania, Chetan Bhagat, Roopkumar & Sonali Rathod, Dolly Thakor, Manhar Udhas and several others. Noted French journalist Nadine Kreisberger, took the guests through the proceedings at the event.

Glimpses from the author Radhanath Swami’s epic quest through Europe, Turkey, Afghanistan and the Pakistan-India border were enacted by a group of children through song, mime and dance performance in the classic eurhythmy style of Rudolf Steiner. Popular American kirtan band ‘As Kindred Spirits’ performed for the first time in India.

With this musical backdrop, Radhanath Swami read from his book about the Afro-American civil rights movement and Martin Luther King, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence, Mother Theresa, the Dalai Lama, George Harrison of the Beatles and the Ganges river.

Radhanath Swami, the American teenager who left home nearly forty years ago, has chronicled his adventure in the book, that internationally renowned yoga teacher, B.K.S. Iyengar has called, “A stunning story worth reading.” The book gives endearing glimpses into the kaleidoscope of Indian spirituality as the author journeys from one master to another till he ultimately finds his home in the forest of grace in Vrindavan. Then amazingly, to serve the mission of his spiritual master, he returns back to what most of us call ‘home’ to share with the whole world the treasures he had so painstakingly discovered.

Dr. Swati Piramal, Director of Piramal Group says, “Today, everyone needs a powerful tool that they can refer to on a daily basis for peace of mind. The book states many facts, which we see around us in day-to-day life. The book is something you will not be able to put down, it deals with trials and tribulations of the modern world to bring harmony and peace”.