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Published: Dec 29, 2021
Updated: Dec 29, 2021

Moving spirit behind global ISKCON

Srila Prabhupada had a dream of building a ‘house’ where the whole world could live together. He wanted to guide the human race with the true spiritual knowledge of India. For millennia, the teachings and the rich culture of bhakti-yoga, or Krishna Consciousness, had been hidden within the borders of India.

Srila Prabhupada had the innate gift of spreading Krishna Consciousness in a practical and straightforward way that was suitable for the modern world. Today, millions around the globe express their gratitude to this ‘Best Uniter’ of Eastern and Western culture. Recognising the contribution of Srila Prabhupada as a global ambassador for India’s spiritual culture, the government of India is releasing a Rs 125 coin on the occasion of his 125th birth anniversary.

Born Abhay Charan De on September 1, 1896, in Kolkata, as a young man he joined Mahatma Gandhi’s civil disobedience movement. In 1922, a meeting with the prominent scholar and spiritual leader, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, proved to be a seminal influence on the young Abhay. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta was a leader in the Gaudiya Vaishnava community, a monotheistic tradition within the broader Hindu culture. At their very first meeting, he advised Abhay to spread the teachings of Lord Krishna in the English-speaking world. Abhay became a disciple of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta in 1933. Later known as AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Shrila Prabhupada, he spent the next 32 years preparing for his mission in the West.

TRYST WITH WEST

In July 1966, Bhaktivedanta Swami established the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) for the purpose of “checking the imbalance of values in the world and working for real unity and peace”. In the 11 years that followed, Srila Prabhupada circled the globe 14 times on lecture tours, spreading the teachings of Lord Krishna. Men and women from all backgrounds came forward to accept his message. With their help, Srila Prabhupada established temples, farm communities, a publishing house and educational institutions around the world. And he began what has now become the world’s largest vegetarian food relief programme, ‘Hare Krishna Food for Life’.

VAISHNAVA REVIVER

Srila Prabhupada returned to India several times, where he sparked a revival in the Vaishnava tradition. He opened dozens of temples, including large centres in Vrindavana and Mayapura. Srila Prabhupada authored over 70 well-respected works on the Krishna tradition, several of which are used as college textbooks. His writings have been translated into 76 languages. His most prominent works include ‘Bhagavadgita As It Is’, the 30-volume ‘Srimad-Bhagavatam’ and the 17-volume ‘Sri Caitanya-caritamrita’. Srila Prabhupada passed away on November 14, 1977 in the holy town of Vrindavana, surrounded by his loving disciples.

Today, there are 850+ ISKCON temples , centres and farm communities across the world, and their number continues to grow. All across the globe, ISKCON temples are celebrating the 125th birth anniversary of Srila Prabhupada along with Janmashtami this year. For the occasion, ISKCON has also released merchandise like key chains, pens, plaques, badges, fridge magnets, stainless steel coasters, mugs, tumblers, photo frames, T-Shirts, track suits, posters, tote bags. Due to Covid restrictions, the celebrations are on a virtual platform for devotees.