Founder Acharya
His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada: The Founder-Acharya of ISKCON
In the annals of spiritual history, few figures have had as profound an impact on global spirituality as His Divine Grace Abhay Charanaravinda Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (1896-1977), the visionary founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). At the age of sixty-nine, when most would consider retirement, Srila Prabhupada embarked on an extraordinary mission that would change the spiritual landscape of the modern world forever.
Early Life and Spiritual Awakening
Born on September 1, 1896, in Calcutta, India, as Abhay Charan De, Prabhupada met his spiritual master, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, in 1922. At their first meeting, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati—a prominent scholar and Vaishnava saint—requested the young Abhay to spread the teachings of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in the English language worldwide. This instruction became the defining mission of Prabhupada’s life.
Though initially engaged in family life and a pharmaceutical business, Abhay Charan remained deeply committed to Krishna consciousness. In 1950, he adopted the vanaprastha (retired) order of life, dedicating himself to deep study and writing. By 1959, he took sannyasa (the renounced order) and began his monumental work: translating and commenting on the sacred texts of India, including the Bhagavad-gita As It Is and the Srimad Bhagavatam.
The Journey to the West: A Spiritual Revolution
In 1965, at the age of 69, Srila Prabhupada boarded the cargo ship Jaladuta with little more than a suitcase, a few books, and forty Indian rupees (about seven dollars at the time). His mission? To bring the timeless wisdom of Krishna consciousness to the Western world.
After a challenging journey, he arrived in New York City, where he struggled initially—living humbly, giving lectures in storefronts, and facing financial hardships. Yet, his unwavering faith in Krishna and his guru’s order kept him steadfast. Soon, his profound wisdom and pure devotion attracted young seekers disillusioned with materialism. In July 1966, he officially founded ISKCON in New York, declaring its mission:
1. To systematically propagate spiritual knowledge to society at large.
2. To educate people in the techniques of spiritual life.
3. To bring people closer to Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
4. To establish a society where devotees could live simply and think spiritually.
A Global Spiritual Movement
From 1966 to 1977, Srila Prabhupada traveled across six continents, establishing over 100 temples, initiating thousands of disciples, and authoring more than 70 books—many of which are now considered authoritative translations of Vedic literature. His works, including Bhagavad-gita As It Is, Srimad Bhagavatam, and Chaitanya Charitamrita, have been translated into over 80 languages and distributed in millions of copies worldwide.
Prabhupada’s teachings emphasized:
- The Science of Bhakti-Yoga: Pure devotion to Krishna as the highest spiritual practice.
- The Importance of Guru-Disciple Tradition: Receiving knowledge through an unbroken spiritual lineage.
- Simple Living, High Thinking: Rejecting excessive materialism for a life of spiritual growth.
- The Hare Krishna Maha Mantra: The universal call for divine love and liberation.
Prabhupada’s Legacy: A Living Inspiration
Srila Prabhupada left this world on November 14, 1977, but his legacy thrives vibrantly through ISKCON’s global mission. Today, ISKCON has grown into a worldwide spiritual family with millions of followers, temples, educational institutions, farm communities, and humanitarian projects like Food for Life, which serves millions of free meals daily.
More than an institution, Prabhupada gifted the world a spiritual revolution—a path back to Krishna in an age of confusion. His life proved that pure devotion, determination, and divine grace can overcome all obstacles.
"If you want to know me, read my books," Prabhupada often said. His words remain a guiding light for seekers of truth, inviting all to discover the eternal joy of Krishna consciousness.
At ISKCON Vrindavan, we honor his vision by preserving his teachings and serving as a beacon of divine love.
Come. Walk the path he illuminated. Discover Krishna.