Founder of ISKCON
Abhay Charanaravinda Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada in July 11, 1966 in New York.
It was undoubtedly a miracle that with just 40 Indian Rupees ($7), at the age of 69, he travelled to America and subsequently established a worldwide spiritual movement with more than 108 temples, numerous spiritual cultural and educational centers and communities globally. Srila Prabhupadagifted humanity with a perpetual legacy of spiritual wisdom in more than 90 volumes of Sanskrit and Bengali Vaisnava scriptures which he translated and published. These tremendous accomplishments were completed within just 11 years, before he passed away on November 14, 1977, at the age of 81.
Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu,who appeared 500 years agoto spread the Yuga Dharma, predicted that the Holy Name will be spread all over the world and to accomplish this enormous task He would send one of His messengers. About 450 years subsequent to the disappearance of Lord Chaitanya, His Divine Grace A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami travelled the whole world 14 times and fulfilledthe prediction of Lord Chaitanya that “The Holy Name will be spread all over the world.”
Another incident also proves that AC Bhaktivedanta Swami is the messenger whom Lord Chaitanya mentioned. When he started his journey to America by a cargo ship at the age of 69, he experienced two heart attacks and he dreamt that Krishna Himself kept His hands on his head and told, “No more fear, I am directing your ship so that you don’t face trouble anymore.” So, all these incidents indicate that His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami is the empowered messenger of Lord Chaitanya.
The life of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhakivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada is also miraculous. He sacrificed unbelievably to spread Krishna Consciousness. He was born in September 1, 1896 in Kolkata as the son of Gour Mohan Dey and Srimati Rajani Dey. His childhood activities also indicated that he would be a great preacher of Sanatana Dharma. When he was a child, he organized and celebrated Ratha-Yatra with his childhood friends. Subsequently His Divine Grace inaugurated Ratha-Yatranall over the world. At present millions of people, all over the globe, celebrate Ratha-Yatra annually as a result of the preaching of His Divine Grace.
A key moment in the life of Srila Prabhupada was his first meeting with his spiritual master SrilaBhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, in 1922. At that meeting, Srila Prabhupada was instructed to spread Krishna Consciousness in English language throughout the Western world. As a young man, Srila Prabhupada was involved with Mahatma Gandhi’s independence movement, however after the meeting with his spiritual master, he decided to sacrifice his life to spread the teachings of Lord Krishna in the English language. SrilaPrabhupada became disciple of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, the founder of then GaudiyaMath and, in 1933 and during the subsequent 3 decades, he prepared himself for his mission to spread Krsna consciousness in the western countries. During this time hethoroughly studied Vedic literature and began working on English his translations in of the important Vaisnava scriptures. Srila Prabhupada embarked upon his journey to New York city, by a cargo ship, on 17 September, 1965.
Life in New York for an old Indian gentleman was not so easy. Srila Prabhupada was alone preaching to western people who never heard about Krishna or Vedic culture. Srila Prabhupada rented a room in the Lower East Side of New York city and from there began delivering lectures on Gita and distributing prasadam. Srila Prabhupada preaching success showed the world that Krishna Consciousness attracts all kind of persons as it is beyond all material designations. Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is all attractive and serving Him awards the devotee eternal happiness within the heart. The young Western people, who were totally ignorant about Santana Dharma, were attracted by the Holy Name and prasadam, distributed by Srila Prabhupada, and attained spiritual happiness within their heart by chanting
“Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare,
Hare Rama Hare Rama RamaRama Hare Hare.”
Ultimately, as a result of the efforts of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhakivedanta Swami SrilaPrabhupada, on 11 July, 1966 ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) was registered officially in the State of New York.
In the next 11 years His Divine Grace A.C. Bhakivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada circumambulated the world 14 times and established 108 temples, Vedic farms, Vedic cultures and many other projects. Many people from all walks of life came forward and accepted his message of Krishna Consciousness. They practiced Santana Religion under his guidance. He also established educational institutions to teach Krishna Consciousness. Being inspired by him devotees all over the world have founded world’s largest vegetarian food relief organization which is still distributing free vegetarian foods all over the world. To nourish Vaisnava Tradition he returned to India several times and established dozens of temples. He declared Mayapur as the head quarters of ISKCON and established Vaisnava communities in both in Mayapur and Vrindavana.
His most beneficial and merciful contributions are his books. He has authored over 90 volumes on Vaisnavism. He was glorified by the world’s scholars’ for the depth, clarification and perfect presentation the teaching of Lord Krishna and Lord Chaitanya through his books. Prominent universities in the world have included his books as textbooks and his writings have been translated into 76 languages. Bhagavat Gita as it is, the volumes of Srimad Bhagavat and Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita are prominent writings of AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada.
