Who is Srila Prabhupada?
His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada is the Founder-Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) and the foremost teacher of Krishna consciousness in the Western world. At the advanced age of 69, he journeyed alone from India to America to fulfill his spiritual master's instruction to spread the timeless wisdom of bhakti-yoga beyond India's borders. Through his extraordinary determination and deep spiritual realization, Srila Prabhupada transformed countless lives and established Krishna consciousness as a global spiritual movement.
Early life
Born Abhay Charan De in Calcutta, India, Srila Prabhupada displayed spiritual inclination from childhood and received a European-style education at Scottish Churches College. In 1922, a pivotal moment occurred when he met his spiritual master, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, who requested him to spread Lord Chaitanya's teachings in English to the Western world. While maintaining family responsibilities and running a pharmaceutical business, Abhay studied deeply the philosophy of Krishna consciousness and began writing articles for spiritual publications.
Journey to the US
In 1959, Srila Prabhupada accepted the renounced order of life (sannyasa) to dedicate himself fully to his spiritual mission. After publishing the first volumes of his Srimad Bhagavatam translation, he embarked on the remarkable journey to America in 1965, traveling by cargo ship at the advanced age of 69 with only a few rupees and his translations. The journey was arduous, including a heart attack while at sea, but demonstrated his unwavering faith in Lord Krishna and his spiritual master's instructions.
Founding ISKCON
After arriving in New York City, Srila Prabhupada struggled initially but began attracting sincere seekers through his morning Bhagavad-gita talks and evening kirtans in a small storefront in Manhattan's Lower East Side. In July 1966, he officially established the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) to systematically present Krishna consciousness according to the authentic Vaishnava tradition. His emphasis on chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, studying sacred texts, and practicing devotional service created a spiritual framework that could be applied universally across cultural boundaries.
Preaching and influence worldwide
Srila Prabhupada's influence expanded rapidly as he traveled tirelessly around the globe, establishing over 100 temples, farm communities, and educational institutions across six continents. His presentation of Krishna consciousness attracted thousands of dedicated followers from diverse backgrounds and significantly influenced Western counterculture. Through innovative outreach programs like Ratha-yatra festivals and prasadam distribution, he made ancient Vaishnava traditions accessible to modern audiences while carefully preserving their spiritual authenticity and philosophical depth.
Literary legacy
Srila Prabhupada's literary contributions form the foundation of ISKCON and represent his most significant legacy. Despite his extensive travels and organizational responsibilities, he translated and wrote commentary on over 80 volumes of classic Vaishnava texts, including complete editions of the Bhagavad-gita, Srimad Bhagavatam, and Chaitanya Charitamrita. His clear explanations made profound philosophical concepts accessible while maintaining strict adherence to the Vaishnava siddhanta (conclusions). Through the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, which became the world's largest publisher of Vedic literature, his books continue to transform lives with millions of copies distributed in over 90 languages.
