Srila Prabhupada · HKM Tirupati

Srila Prabhupada seated with karatalas and a flower garland

At various times people have called him a scholar, a philosopher, a cultural ambassador, a prolific author, a religious leader, a spiritual teacher and a social critic. In truth, he was all these things and more.

Over five hundred years ago, Lord Sri Krishna appeared as Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in Navadvipa, West Bengal. He inaugurated the sankirtana movement — the yuga-dharma for this age of Kali — and declared that the chanting of the holy names would spread beyond India to every town and village. He predicted that His commander-in-chief would appear to accomplish this mission.

Srila Prabhupada appeared to fulfil that prophecy.

1896Appearance in Calcutta

1965Sailed to America at 69

14World tours

10,000+Disciples initiated

Life

A brief biography

Young Abhay Charan with his father Gour Mohan De — Abhay Charan with his father, Gour Mohan De

On 1 September 1896 — the day after Janmashtami — a male child was born in a little house in the Tollygunge suburb of Calcutta. His father, Gour Mohan De, and his mother, Rajani, named him Abhay Charan: one who is fearless, having taken shelter at the lotus feet of Lord Krishna.

An astrologer prepared the baby’s horoscope and revealed: when this child reaches the age of seventy, he will cross the ocean, become a great teacher of religion, and establish 108 Krishna temples. That is exactly what happened.

Children celebrating Ratha Yatra with a small chariot of Jagannatha — Abhay Charan conducting Ratha Yatra with his friends

Raised in a Vaishnava home, Abhay delighted in Ratha Yatra and kirtan from boyhood. In 1922 he met his spiritual master, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, who asked him to preach Krishna consciousness in English. He took initiation in 1933 and later received sannyasa as A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami.

In 1965 he sailed to America and established the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. In the next eleven years he circled the globe fourteen times, opened more than a hundred temples, and initiated more than ten thousand disciples.

Disciplic succession

Spiritual master

Initiation: receiving japa beads from Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura — Initiation by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura

Srila Prabhupada received instruction and initiation from Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura. His spiritual master’s order was simple and grave: spread Krishna consciousness in the English-speaking world.

He printed Back to Godhead, translated Srimad-Bhagavatam, and showed a copy to India’s leaders — including Lal Bahadur Shastri — while preparing to leave for the West.

Receiving instruction from his spiritual master — Receiving instruction

Srila Prabhupada showing Srimad-Bhagavatam to Lal Bahadur Shastri — Presenting Srimad-Bhagavatam

Mission

Accomplishments

Srila Prabhupada conducting kirtan in America — Kirtan in Tompkins Square Park, New York

His attempts to propagate Krishna consciousness were not received well by many in India. At sixty-nine, in 1965, he went to the United States and incorporated the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. In the next eleven years he circled the globe fourteen times — inspiring followers, delivering lectures, and discussing Krishna consciousness with all who were interested.

He arrived in a decade of discontent. Young people were searching for an alternative. Srila Prabhupada presented that alternative.

He brought the Hare Krishna movement to the public eye by:

chanting in the parks
distributing Back to Godhead magazine
conducting love feasts
delivering lectures from Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam from a rented storefront

Thus he attracted many young people, who gradually became his disciples. He trained them in deity worship so they could advance spiritually. The Supreme Lord appears as the Deity to give us an opportunity to serve Him; by serving with care, attraction to the beautiful form of the Lord replaces attraction to material things, and love of God develops.

To revive Krishna-conscious culture, he envisioned God-centred farm communities of simple living and high thinking. In 1972 he started a gurukula in Dallas, Texas — education on the traditional Vedic model. He established more than 108 temples and instructed that no one should go hungry within ten miles of a temple.

Srila Prabhupada preaching — Lectures and kirtan

Srila Prabhupada speaking with disciples — Training disciples

Literature

Srila Prabhupada and his books

Of all his contributions, he considered his books of utmost importance. They present the timeless wisdom of the Vedic scriptures in modern English — with clarity and simple eloquence — proving the relevance of self-realization to this age. These books have changed millions of lives.

The transcendental knowledge in his books forms the basis of the Hare Krishna movement. He encouraged devotees to distribute this literature profusely. The books are translated into most major languages and distributed worldwide.

His mission

Teachings

Srila Prabhupada is the spiritual ambassador who visited this world to give the message of Godhead and invite us back home — back to Godhead. Krishna consciousness, he taught, is not armchair philosophy or a part-time religion. It is a way of life.

He presented that philosophy extensively in his books. We request you to make it a habit to read them, chant the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, honour prasadam, and take part in His mission.

Dates

A short timeline

1896

Appearance as Abhay Charan De in Calcutta, the day after Janmashtami.

1922–1933

Meets Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura; takes initiation and the order to preach in English.

1944–1965

Publishes Back to Godhead, translates Srimad-Bhagavatam, then sails to America at age sixty-nine.

1966–1977

Founds the society, travels the world fourteen times, opens more than 108 temples, initiates thousands of disciples.

Hare Krishna Movement Tirupati exists to increase awareness of his message, saintly personality, character, and mission.