A. C. Bhaktivedanta
Swami Prabhupada, who passed away on 14 November 1977, in Vrindavan, aged 81 years,
was an Indian spiritual teacher, author, and the
founder-acharya of the International
Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), widely known as the Hare Krishna movement.
Key
Contributions and Life
- Mission: In 1965, at the age of 69 and with
little money, he traveled to New York City to share the teachings of
the Bhagavad Gita with the Western world, as instructed
by his guru, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur.
- ISKCON: He founded ISKCON in New York City
in 1966, popularizing the Hare Krishna mantra and the
practice of bhakti-yoga (devotional service to Krishna).
- Author and Translator: He authored over 80 books,
including English translations and commentaries on core Vedic scriptures
such as the Bhagavad Gita As It Is and the Srimad
Bhagavatam. The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (BBT), which he established,
is the world's largest publisher of books in the field of Indian religion
and philosophy.
- Global Influence: Before his passing in Vrindavan,
India, in 1977, he circled the globe numerous times, establishing over 100
temples and cultural centres and initiating thousands of disciples.
- Teachings: His teachings emphasized a simpler,
more natural way of life and the attainment of true happiness through
awakening one's pure love for God (Krishna consciousness).
