Founder-Acharya of International Society for Krishna Consciousness
The well-known Sanyasi, a glorious spiritual master at the age of 69, who changed people’s minds with love, reverence, and unfathomable dedication, set a new record in the world and showed Indian civilization in front of everyone in every corner of the world.
Srila Prabhupada (Abhay Charan De) was born on September 1, 1896 in Kolkata, into a Vaishnava family. As a youth growing up in British-controlled India, Abhay became involved with Mahatma Gandhi’s civil disobedience movement to secure independence for his nation.
He first met his spiritual master, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur, in Calcutta at Ulta Danga Junction Road in 1922. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur is a prominent religious scholar and the founder of sixty-four Gauḍīya Maṭhas (Vedic institutes), liked this educated young man and convinced him to dedicate his life to teaching Vedic knowledge. Srila Prabhupada became his student and, in 1933, his formally initiated disciple.
In 1922 when Abhay and his friend Narendra Mullik met with Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur told them to preach the Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s message to english speaking world. Abhay was surprised to know that without any exchange of their views, the sadhu was telling them what they should do. But still Abhay want to check the sadhu by his intelligence, so he asked Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur that who will hear your Caitanya’s message in this British ruled country. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur replied to Abhay in very deep voice Kṛṣṇa consciousness didn’t have to wait for a change in Indian politics, nor was it dependent on who ruled. Kṛṣṇa consciousness was so important – so exclusively important – that it could not wait. Abhay was struck with his boldness and this was the first time when Abhay has defeated by someone. In this meeting Abhay consider Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarawati Thakur as his spiritual master and took his instruction of preaching in westeren world seriously. Later in 1933 Abhay became the initiated disciple of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta, officially.
Srila Prabhupada received two important instructions from Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur.
“You are educated young men. Why don’t you preach Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s message worldwide?” – 1922 at Ulta Danga Junction Road.
“I had a desire to print some books. If you ever get money, print books.” Standing by Rādhā-kuṇḍa and beholding his spiritual master, Abhay felt the words deeply enter his own life – “If you ever get money, print books.” -1935 at Radha Kunda.
Taking these instructions seriously Srila Prabhupada started Back to Godhed, an english magzine in 1944. Singlehandedly, Srila Prabhupada edited it, typed the manuscripts, checked the galley proofs, and even distributed the individual copies. He also went to USA to fullfill the mission of his spiritual master of preaching the message of Lord Caitanaya in Westeren World.
In 1950 Śrīla Prabhupāda retired from married life, adopting the vānaprastha (retired) order to devote more time to his studies and writing. He traveled to the holy city of Vṛndāvana, where he lived in humble circumstances in the historic temple of Rādhā-Dāmodara. There he engaged for several years in deep study and writing. He accepted the renounced order of life (sannyāsa) in 1959. At Rādhā-Dāmodara, Śrīla Prabhupāda began work on his life’s masterpiece: a multivolume commentated translation of the eighteen-thousand-verse Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (Bhāgavata Purāṇa). He also wrote a book named “Easy Journey to Other Planets”.
Srila Prabhupada went to Vrindavan where he lived in the historic medieval temple of Sri Sri Radha-Damodar in odd conditions. In temple, he spent most of his time in his deep studies and writings. He accepted the renounced order of life (sannyas ashram) in 1959. Srila Prabhupada also started working on the masterpiece of his life at the Radha Damodar Temple. Srila Prabhupada wrote an English translation of the Srimad Bhagavata Purana containing 18000 verses and a book “Easy Journey to other planets”.
After publishing the three volumes of Srimad Bhagavatam, Srila Prabhupada went to the United States in 1965 to complete the mission of his spiritual master. After tireless efforts at the age of 69, he reached America after 37 days of the arduous journey by a cargo ship named Jaladuta but he had no idea of where to go. There were two heart attacks during the journey but his determination to promote Krishna remained firm. He wrote in his diary that “Oh Krishna, I do not know what is in your mind, the people here who are materialistic will listen to me or not, but I am so sure that if you have sent me there must be a plan and I am ready to fulfill your every objective like a puppet. Make me dance the way you want me to dance.” From then till the end of his life he had written authentic translations, commentaries, and summary studies on the philosophical and religious texts of India.
In July 1966, Srila Prabhupada founded the International Society for Krishna Consciousness with great difficulty for about 1 year. Under his thorough guidance, this society expanded over a decade into a worldwide association of approximately 108 temples, ashrams, schools and institutions, and agricultural communities.
Srila Prabhupada stimulated the construction of a large international center at Sridham Mayapur in West Bengal, India which is the best place for Vedic study. However, Srila Prabhupada’s most important contribution is his books. The academic community highly respected its authenticity, depth, and clarity. His books are even used as standard textbooks in many colleges. His writings have been translated into more than 80 languages. To publish his writings, Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (BBT) was specially established in 1972. Thus ISKCON has become the world’s largest publisher of books in the field of religion and philosophy. This Book Trust has so far printed and distributed more than crores of Bhagavad Gita.
In 1 decade of his life, despite old age, Srila Prabhupada travelled around the world 14 times. In spite of this tiring schedule, Srila Prabhupada continued to write profusely. His books constitute a credible library of Vedic philosophy, religion, literature and culture. Thus Prabhupada has left behind a real library of Vedic philosophy and culture. Between 1966 and 1977, he traveled all over the world. During this period, he met world leaders and imparted knowledge to understand Vedic philosophy by giving lectures and interviews. Rarely does such a great man come into the world who does more work than the ordinary person’s thinking. And founder-acharya of ISKCON, His Divine Grace Between 1966 and 1977, he traveled all over the world. During this period, he met world leaders and imparted knowledge to understand Vedic philosophy by giving lectures and interviews. Rarely does such a great man come into the world who does more work than the ordinary person’s thinking. And founder-acharya of ISKCON, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada was one of them.
Srila Prabhupada’s most significant contributions, perhaps, are his books. He authored over 70 volumes on the Krishna tradition, which are highly respected by scholars for their authority, depth, fidelity to the tradition and clarity. Several of his works are used as textbooks in university courses. His writings have been translated into 76 languages. His most prominent works include: Bhagavad-gita As It Is, the multi-volume Srimad-Bhagavatam and the set of Sri Caitanya-caritamrita books. Today Bhaktivedanta Book Trust(BBT) founded by Srila Prabhupada has distributed 546,401,020 vedic books in whole world. By visiting the whole world 14 times in 12 years(1965-1977), he opened 108 temples, more than 600 centers and made thousands of devotees across the globe. He estaiblished spiritual activities that enables a living entity to sucessfully acheive spiritual enlightment.
Left family, vanaprastha
Vrindavan residence, Vamsi Gopal temple
Begins translating Srimad Bhagavatam in Delhi
July Moves upstairs Radha-Damodara temple
Sept. 17, Takes sannyasa, renounced order of life
Fall Publishes first book, paperback Easy Journey to Other Planets
July Moves into downstairs rooms at Radha-Damodara
Sept. Publishes Volume one, Srimad Bhagavatam in Delhi
December Publishes volume two Srimad Bhagavatam
December Publishes volume three Srimad Bhagavatam
August 13, Leaves Calcutta on Jaladuta bound for America
Returns to Radha-Damodara
Visits Radha-Damodara and Vrindavan with forty disciples
Kartik at Radha-Damodara, delivers famous Nectar of Devotion Lectures
Enters the eternal lila of Radha and Krishna in Goloka Vrindavan
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