Influenced by the teachings of Sri Krishna, an Englishman dropped his plan of joining the police force in the United Kingdom and travelled all the way to India for preaching Bhagwad Gita lessons. Meet Adam Watson, 37, a native of Lisburn in Northern Ireland, staying in Ranchi for the past two years and spreading the word about spiritual enlightenment that Krishna’s teachings bring to humankind.

Watson first read the Bhagwad Gita at a library in Northern Ireland when he was 23-year-old.

The holy book influenced him so deeply that he decided to pursue spiritual healing and become a preacher of the Hare Krishna movement, started by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).

In 2004, he was pursuing a degree in Biochemistry at the University of Dundee in the U.K, with the aspiration to join the forensic team of U.K police. Cut to 2019, Watson goes around the slums in Ranchi, chanting Hare Krishna, Hare Rama and explains the Bhagwad Gita to commoners at the busy Albert Ekka Chowk every day.

“I felt a strong calling towards spiritual life and Krishna consciousness. The calling came because of reading the Bhagwad Gita and I never felt the need to look back,” said Watson, a fair and tall Englishman clad in Dhoti-Kurta and sporting the quintessential Sikha (ponytail). 

Watson moved to India around six years ago and felt welcomed wherever he went. During these six years, he lived in West Bengal, Odisha and Jharkhand. He still lives in India on a five-year tourist visa. He hardly knew a word from the Hindi language while he was in Ireland, but quite fluently chants the Sanskrit Shlokas now.

“I have never felt any religious intolerance in India, neither have I witnessed any discrimination on the basis of race. I love this country. The land of Sri Krishna can never be intolerant,” said Watson.

His primary purpose in Ranchi is to propagate the congregational chanting of the Hare Krishna, Hare Rama mantra. He has also worked in several temples, including Vrindavan Dhaam, Jaganath Puri Dhaam and Mayapur Dhaam during his stay in the country.

Before moving to India, he preached the lessons of Bhagwad Gita in the western countries, but he considers his stay in India as the most valuable, learning experience of his life. “I have learned so much in India. This country is like a powerhouse of knowledge and spirituality,” he said.

He is here to become a better devotee of Sri Krishna and help those who aspire to do the same. “Hari Haribol! Your servant, Bhakta Adam Watson,” he signs off.