OUR FOUNDER
Srila Prabhupada was born in 1896 in Calcutta, India. His birth name was Abhay Charan, and as a family man, he ran a pharmaceutical business in the city.
In 1950, at the age of fifty-four, he retired from married life, and devoted much time to his studies and writing. He travelled to the holy city of Vrndavana, where he lived in very humble circumstances in the historic medieval temple called the Radha-Damodara Mandir. He accepted the renounced order of life (sannyasa) in 1959 and was awarded the name Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. At Radha-Damodara Temple, he began work on his life’s masterpiece: a multivolume translation and commentary on the 18,000-verse Srimad-Bhagavatam.
In 1965 Srila Prabhupada sailed to the United States in a cargo ship to spread Krishna Consciousness. When he first arrived by freighter in New York City, he was practically penniless. After a year of great difficulty, he established the International Society for Krishna Consciousness in July of 1966. Under his careful guidance the Society has grown within a decade to a worldwide confederation of over one hundred temples, schools, institutes and farm communities. In the last ten years of his life, in spite of his advanced age, Srila Prabhupada circled the globe twelve times on lecture tours that took him to six continents. He made over 5,000 disciples around the world from a variety of backgrounds and established the ancient Rathayatra street festival in most of the major cities of the world.
Srila Prabhupada also wrote over eighty volumes of authoritative translations, commentaries and summary studies of the philosophical and religious classics of India. Highly respected by the academic community for their authoritativeness, depth and clarity, they are used as standard textbooks in numerous college courses. His writings have been translated into 87 languages. The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, established in 1972 exclusively to publish his books, has become the world’s largest publisher of books in the field of Indian religion and philosophy. Thus today Srila Prabhupada is recognised as one of India’s greatest spiritual ambassadors of the 20th Century.
Srila Prabhupada: A Life of Purpose and Devotion
SELF-REALISED
Firmly established in spiritual understanding, Srila Prabhupada dedicated his life completely to serving God and uplifting others. His extraordinary accomplishments were rooted in deep self-realization, which allowed him to inspire transformation in people across cultures and continents. Such realized souls are rare, and their influence leaves a lasting spiritual legacy.
SELF-REALISED
Firmly established in spiritual understanding, Srila Prabhupada dedicated his life completely to serving God and uplifting others. His extraordinary accomplishments were rooted in deep self-realization, which allowed him to inspire transformation in people across cultures and continents. Such realized souls are rare, and their influence leaves a lasting spiritual legacy.
FEARLESS
Born with the name Abhay Charan, meaning “one who is fearless at the shelter of the Lord,” Srila Prabhupada embodied courage grounded in faith. Despite immense personal challenges, he carried out his mission with unwavering trust in God. He taught that true fear arises from misunderstanding the material world, and that surrender brings inner strength.
AUTHENTIC
Srila Prabhupada stood firmly within an ancient and unbroken spiritual lineage, faithfully representing its teachings. Through this authentic tradition, sacred knowledge was passed down and preserved over generations. His teachings reflected the original wisdom of the Vedic scriptures, shared clearly for the modern world.
HUMBLE
In both his character and lifestyle, Srila Prabhupada exemplified simplicity and humility. He encouraged simple living paired with elevated thinking, reminding others that real fulfillment comes from inner growth, not material complexity. Even amid global success, he remained modest and always credited others for their service.
VISIONARY
Srila Prabhupada sparked a worldwide spiritual movement that reshaped modern spiritual culture. Beginning in New York City, he introduced timeless Vedic wisdom to a generation searching for meaning. His bold vision made spiritual practice accessible across the globe and inspired countless people to embrace a life of devotion.
DEVOTIONAL
Srila Prabhupada personified the essence of bhakti yoga — loving, selfless devotion to God. Renouncing personal comfort, he traveled the world sharing this message with warmth and determination. His life demonstrated that pure devotion has the power to uplift individuals and transform society.
COMPASSIONATE
Driven by genuine concern for all living beings, Srila Prabhupada sought to address the root cause of human suffering. He taught that compassion extends beyond the body to the soul itself. Through spiritual knowledge, he offered lasting solutions grounded in understanding our true identity.
TEACHER
More than a scholar, Srila Prabhupada was a guide for generations. He translated and explained dozens of sacred texts, making profound philosophy understandable to all. Leading by example, he showed that true knowledge is lived, not merely taught, earning deep respect from scholars and practitioners alike.
WORLDWIDE CONTRIBUTIONS
Global Spiritual Vision
Srila Prabhupada brought the ancient teachings of Krishna consciousness to every corner of the world, founding the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in 1966 with the aim of sharing spiritual wisdom beyond cultural and national boundaries. Through his personal dedication and tireless preaching, he inspired people of all backgrounds to explore bhakti-yoga, transforming casual seekers into devoted practitioners.
108 Temples and International Centers
Under Srila Prabhupada’s guidance, more than 100 temples, cultural centers, and communities were established across the globe, offering places for meditation, education, and devotional living. These centers became hubs of spiritual practice, drawing people together in singing, scriptural study, and community service.
Literary and Cultural Impact
An unparalleled scholar and teacher, Srila Prabhupada translated and commented on dozens of sacred Vedic texts, including Bhagavad-gita As It Is and Srimad Bhagavatam, making them accessible to millions of readers worldwide. His writings, now available in many languages, continue to guide spiritual seekers and are widely respected for their clarity and depth.
Uniting the World in Devotion
Beyond temples and books, Srila Prabhupada’s influence sparked devotional festivals, educational programs, and humanitarian services that resonate globally. His vision encouraged unity, compassion, and a universal brotherhood rooted in loving devotion, fostering a worldwide community devoted to a life of spiritual purpose.
Shrines & Memorials
Samadhi Mandir
Located in the holy land of Vrindavan, this samadhi marks the final resting place of Srila Prabhupada. Surrounded by devotional artwork and sacred inscriptions, it stands as a place of reflection, prayer, and gratitude for his life of service and spiritual leadership.
Prabhupada’s Palace of Gold
Nestled in the hills of West Virginia, this ornate palace was built by devotees as an offering of love and devotion. Adorned with hand-crafted art, gardens, and shrines, it reflects Srila Prabhupada’s global influence and the devotion he inspired beyond India.
Pushpa Samadhi Mandir
Situated at ISKCON’s international headquarters in Mayapur, the Pushpa Samadhi Mandir commemorates Srila Prabhupada through floral offerings and daily worship. It serves as a central gathering place for devotees from around the world to honor his presence and teachings.
Srila Prabhupada’s Rooms
These historic rooms at the Radha-Damodara Temple are where Srila Prabhupada lived and translated many of his most important works. Preserved as a sacred space, they offer visitors a glimpse into his personal life of deep meditation, discipline, and scholarship.