Srila Prabhupada was born Abhay Charan De on September 1, 1896, to a pious Hindu family in Calcutta. 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. It was, however, a 1922 meeting with a prominent scholar and religious leader, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, which proved most influential on Abhay’s future calling. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta was a leader in the Gaudiya Vaishnava denomination, a monotheistic tradition within the broad Hindu culture, and asked Abhay to bring the teachings of Lord Krsna to the English-speaking world. Abhay became a disciple of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta in 1933 and resolved to carry out his mentor’s request. Abhay, later known by the honorific A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, spent the next 32 years preparing for his journey west.
SRILA PRABHUPADA
A student of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta
SRILA PRABHUPADA’S JOURNEY TO THE USA
When His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada entered the port of New York City on September 17, 1965, few Americans took notice – but he was not merely another immigrant. He was on a mission to introduce the ancient teachings of Vedic India into mainstream America. In New York, he faced great hardships and began his mission humbly by giving classes on the Bhagavad-gita in lofts on the Bowery and leading kirtan (traditional devotional chants) in Tompkins Square Park. His message of peace and goodwill resonated with many young people, some of whom came forward to become serious students of the Krsna-bhakti tradition. With the help of these students, Bhaktivedanta Swami rented a small storefront on New York’s Lower East Side to use as a temple. Before Srila Prabhupada passed away on November 14, 1977, at the age of 81, his mission proved successful. He had founded the International Society for Krsna Consciousness (ISKCON) and saw it grow into a worldwide confederation of more than 100 temples, ashrams, and cultural centers.
Srila Prabhupada Imparting vedic philosophy across the globe
In the eleven years that followed, Srila Prabhupada circled the globe 14 times on lecture tours, bringing the teachings of Lord Krsna to thousands of people on six continents. Men and women from all backgrounds and walks of life came forward to accept his message, and with their help, Srila Prabhupada established ISKCON centers and projects throughout the world. Under his inspiration, Krsna devotees established ic_temples, rural communities, educational institutions, and started what would become the world’s largest vegetarian food relief program. With the desire to nourish the roots of Krsna consciousness in its home, Srila Prabhupada returned to India several times, where he sparked a revival in the Vaishnava tradition. In India, he opened dozens of ic_temples, including large centers in the holy towns of Vrindavan and Mayapur
His Journey from Devotion to Establishing
GLORIOUS SRILA PRABHUPADA
After forty years of struggling within India to carry out his guru’s order, while maintaining family and business responsibilities, Srila Prabhupada boarded a steamship bound from Calcutta to New York City in 1965. At age sixty-nine, with forty rupees and a trunk of his Bhagavatam commentaries – the first ever in English – his aim was to introduce “India’s message of peace and goodwill” to the western world. During the last twelve years of his life, Srila Prabhupada inspired thousands of people worldwide to devote their lives to Krsna consciousness, launching one of the fastest-growing spiritual movements in the history of the world.
SRILA PRABHUPADA CONTRIBUTION TO ACADEMICS
A pre-eminent teacher
His Divine Grace, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (1896-1977) was the principal teacher for thousands of people around the world.
Srila Prabhupada’s most significant contributions, perhaps, are his books. He authored over 70 volumes on the Krsna 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. Srila Prabhupada intended ISKCON to facilitate the association and education of bhakti-yoga practitioners, and his followers continue to spread that mission. He is regarded as the world’s pre-eminent exponent of the teachings and practices, outside of its roots in India.
HIS ACHIEVEMENT
His achievements are innumerable, magnificent, and extraordinary. Some of his achievements are listed below:
1. He dictated total of 22,000 pages of text.
2. He translated and wrote purports to 18,000 verses of Srimad Bhagwatam.
3. He translated and wrote purports to 700 verses of Srimad Bhagwat Gita.
4. He translated and wrote purports to 12,555 verses of Chaitanya Charitamrit.
5. He published 147 books.
6. He wrote 7000 letters to his disciples.
7. He created Back to Godhead magazine,of which 1 million copies are distributed.
8. His Bhagwad Gita lectures are compiled in 7 volumes of books.
9. His Srimad Bhagwatam lectures are compiled in 12 volumes of books.
10. His conversations with various scientists,professors,editors have been compiled in 42 volumes of books.
11. He produced innumerable recordings.
12. He changed the life of thousands of people of which 5000 became his initiated devotees.
13. And all he did in ONLY 9 years besides establishing 108 temples all over the world!!! In the age between 70-80 !!!
Srila Prabhupada left a legacy for his disciples to carry forward and today this mission has grown into over 300 centers all over the world..