
His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
(1896-1977)
"He was a truly holy person with great integrity and compassion, and he had a powerful impact on those who met him. He never claimed authority and respect for himself; what he said and did was always in the name of Krishna."
- Dr. Thomas J. Hopkins
When His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada arrived at the port of New York City on September 17, 1965, he attracted no more attention than the other passengers. However, he was not just another immigrant. He had a mission: to introduce the ancient teachings of Vedic India to America. Before leaving this world on November 14, 1977, at the age of 81, Srila Prabhupada’s mission had blossomed. The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), which he founded in New York, became a global organization with over 100 temples, ashrams, and cultural centers.
Srila Prabhupada was born Abhay Charan De on September 1, 1896, into a pious Vaisnava family in Calcutta. Growing up in India, which was still under British control, Abhay became involved in Mahatma Gandhi’s civil disobedience movement for India’s independence.
However, it was in 1922 that Abhay found his true calling when he met the scholar and spiritual leader Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta was a leading figure in the Gaudiya Vaishnavism tradition, a monotheistic school of Hinduism, and he asked Abhay to spread the teachings of Lord Krishna in the English-speaking world. In 1933, Abhay became a disciple of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta and resolved to fulfill the mission given by his spiritual master. Abhay, later known by the honorific A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, spent the next 32 years preparing for his journey to the West.
In 1965, at the age of 69, Srila Prabhupada traveled to New York aboard a cargo ship. The journey was perilous, and the elderly spiritual master suffered two heart attacks. Arriving in the United States with the equivalent of only 7 dollars in Indian rupees, Srila Prabhupada began sharing the timeless wisdom of Krishna consciousness. His message of peace resonated with many young people, some of whom became serious students of the Krishna tradition.
With the help of these students, Srila Prabhupada rented a small store in the Lower East Side of New York and used it as a temple. On July 11, 1966, he officially founded the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.
In the eleven years that followed, Srila Prabhupada traveled the world 14 times, sharing the teachings of Lord Krishna with thousands of people across six different continents. Men and women from all walks of life accepted his message, and with their help, Srila Prabhupada was able to establish ISKCON centers and projects worldwide. Inspired by his desire to nourish the roots of Krishna consciousness, Srila Prabhupada returned to India several times, sparking a renewed interest in the Vaishnava tradition. There, he opened dozens of temples, including major centers in the sacred places of Vrindavan and Mayapur.
Perhaps Srila Prabhupada’s most significant contribution is his books. He authored over 70 books on the Krishna tradition, which are highly respected by scholars for their authority, depth, clarity, and fidelity to the tradition. Many of his books are used as textbooks in university courses. His writings have been translated into 76 languages. His major works include: The Bhagavad-gita As It Is, the 30 volumes of the Srimad Bhagavatam, and the 17 volumes of the Sri Caitanya-caritamrita.