GloriousSrila Prabhupada

His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder-Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, carried the teachings of Sri Krishna across the world.

Discover His Journey Support the Mission

Founder-Acharya

His Life & Teachings

A Life Dedicated to Krishna

Early Life

The beginning of a spiritual journey

His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder-Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), was born in Abhay Charan De on the 1st September 1896 in Calcutta.

From childhood he was deeply connected with devotional life and the teachings of Lord Krishna. His spiritual path eventually led him to his eternal service of spreading Krishna consciousness throughout the world.

In recognition of his philosophical knowledge and devotion, the Gaudiya Vaishnava Society honored him with the title Bhaktivedanta in 1947.

He later took the renounced order of life and dedicated himself completely to translating and presenting the teachings of Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam for the benefit of people throughout the world.

Srila Prabhupada's Journey to the USA

After relinquishing the three volumes of Srimad Bhagavatam, Srila Prabhupada went to the United States in 1965 to complete his spiritual mission.

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 are materialistic will listen to me or not, but I am so sure that if you have sent me then just as a blow and I am ready to fulfil 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.

Foundation of ISKCON

In July 1966, Srila Prabhupada founded the International Society for Krishna Consciousness 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.

This Vedic literature recommended that in the present age of Kali-yuga the most effective means of achieving self-realization is always heard about, glorified, and remembered the all-attractive Supreme Lord Sri Krishna.

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna

Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama Hare Rama

Rama Rama Hare Hare

A Global Spiritual Movement

International Society for Krishna Consciousness

International Society for Krishna Consciousness, also popularly known as the Hare Krishna movement, is a spiritual society founded by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in July 1966 in New York.

ISKCON belongs to the Gaudiya-Vaishnava sampradaya, a monotheistic tradition within Vedic culture. Today ISKCON comprises temples, communities, educational projects and agricultural communities around the world.

The movement's teachings are based upon the ancient Vedic scriptures, including Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam. Its purpose is to help people understand their eternal relationship with Krishna and develop a life of loving devotional service.

Simple living, spiritual knowledge and devotional service.

The Movement

History of the Hare Krishna Movement

1965

The journey that carried Krishna consciousness across the oceans.

In 1965, at the age of 69, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada boarded the steamship Jaladuta from Mumbai on his way to the United States. At an age when most people think of retiring, Srila Prabhupada undertook this arduous journey to fulfill the mission of Lord Chaitanya and follow the instruction of his spiritual master Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur to carry the message of Bhagavad-gita and Srimad Bhagavatam to the Western world.

After arriving in New York City in September 1965, Srila Prabhupada struggled alone for the first year to establish his Krishna conscious movement. He lived simply, lectured whenever and wherever he got the opportunity and gradually began to attract some small interest in his teachings.

By July of 1966, while still working from an obscure storefront on New York City's Lower East Side, Srila Prabhupada nonetheless founded a spiritual society for worldwide participation. He called it International Society for Krishna Consciousness or ISKCON for short and thus began the Hare Krishna movement in America.

His Legacy

A message of devotion,compassion and service

Srila Prabhupada's teachings continue to inspire communities around the world to cultivate spiritual knowledge, devotion to Krishna and compassionate service to all living beings.

Support Sri Gokul Gaushala