About Srila Prabhupada

Srila Prabhupada, born as Abhay Charan De on September 1, 1896, in Kolkata, India, is widely recognized as one of the greatest spiritual leaders of the 20th century. He was the founder-acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) and a tireless proponent of the teachings of Lord Krishna as presented in the Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam.

Early Life and Inspiration

Born into a devout Vaishnava family, Abhay Charan grew up in an environment steeped in spiritual values. His father, a dedicated devotee of Lord Krishna, nurtured his devotion from a young age, encouraging him to worship deities and chant the holy names of Krishna. Abhay later attended Scottish Church College in Kolkata, where he developed a keen intellect and strong moral grounding.

In 1922, he met his spiritual master, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, the prominent leader of the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition. Bhaktisiddhanta instructed Abhay to spread the teachings of Lord Krishna in the English-speaking world, a directive that profoundly shaped his life.

A Life of Preparation

In 1959, Abhay Charan accepted the renounced order of life, or sannyasa, and became known as A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. He dedicated himself fully to writing, translating, and commenting on Vedic scriptures. His monumental work began with translating the Srimad Bhagavatam, along with purports that clarified its teachings for modern readers.

Journey to the West

At the age of 69, Srila Prabhupada embarked on a journey to the United States in 1965 aboard a cargo ship, the Jaladuta, carrying only a trunk of books and a few possessions. The voyage was arduous, and he suffered two heart attacks during the journey. Despite these challenges, he arrived in New York City with a clear mission: to fulfill his guru’s instruction by spreading Krishna consciousness.

Founding ISKCON

In 1966, Srila Prabhupada established the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in New York. What began as small gatherings in a humble storefront soon blossomed into a global movement. Prabhupada’s charisma, profound wisdom, and compassionate nature attracted followers from all walks of life.

Under his leadership, ISKCON grew rapidly, establishing over 100 temples, farms, schools, and communities worldwide within a decade. He initiated thousands of disciples and introduced practices such as kirtan (chanting the holy names of Krishna), deity worship, vegetarianism, and scriptural study.

Literary Contributions

Srila Prabhupada is celebrated for his prolific writing. He translated and provided commentaries on more than 60 volumes of Vedic scriptures, including:

  • Bhagavad Gita As It Is
  • Srimad Bhagavatam
  • Chaitanya Charitamrita
  • Nectar of Devotion
  • Nectar of Instruction

These texts, written in English and translated into multiple languages, made profound spiritual knowledge accessible to people worldwide.

Mission and Teachings

Srila Prabhupada’s teachings emphasized:

  1. Chanting the Hare Krishna Mahamantra:

    “Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
    Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare”

  2. Living a life of devotion and simplicity.
  3. Following the four regulative principles: no meat-eating, no gambling, no intoxication, and no illicit sex.
  4. Sharing Krishna consciousness through outreach, education, and community service.

Legacy and Passing

Srila Prabhupada left this world on November 14, 1977, in Vrindavan, India, surrounded by his disciples, chanting the holy names. His legacy continues through ISKCON, which remains a vibrant global community dedicated to his vision.

His contributions have impacted millions, bridging cultural and religious divides and offering a path to spiritual fulfillment in modern times. Srila Prabhupada’s life serves as an enduring testament to the power of faith, determination, and compassion.