His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
The spiritual teacher who carried Krishna consciousness from India to every corner of the world, and whose books and teachings continue to inspire the community at ISKCON Canberra today.
A Life Given to the World
Born Abhay Charan De in Kolkata, India, Śrīla Prabhupāda met his spiritual master, Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura, in 1922 and received the instruction to spread Krishna consciousness throughout the English-speaking world.
“Books are the basis. Preaching is the essence. Purity is the force. Utility is the principle.”
Decades later, with deep faith and only a few possessions, he travelled alone to America aboard a cargo ship. Despite great hardship, he established a worldwide spiritual movement based on chanting the holy names, studying the Vedic scriptures and serving Krishna with love.
From Kolkata to the World
Born Abhay Charan De into a devout Vaiṣṇava family, he grew up worshipping Lord Jagannātha and Rādhā-Govinda.
Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura asks the young Abhay to share Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s teachings in English.
He accepts formal initiation and dedicates himself to fulfilling his guru’s instruction.
Single-handedly, he begins publishing the Back to Godhead magazine, writing, editing and distributing it himself.
He accepts sannyāsa and begins translating the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam in Vṛndāvana.
Aboard the cargo ship Jaladuta, with a few books and very little money, he sails to New York.
In a small New York storefront, he founds the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.
He establishes the BBT to publish his translations of the Vedic scriptures for the world.
He departs in Vṛndāvana, leaving a worldwide spiritual family, temples and a vast library of transcendental books.
In Just Eleven Years
Four Pillars of His Mission
Literary Legacy
Translating and explaining the Vedic scriptures with authentic commentary for future generations.
Temples
Creating spiritual centres where people can practise Krishna consciousness together.
Simple Living
Promoting simple living and high thinking through self-sufficient farm communities.
Education
Establishing spiritual education for both material and spiritual advancement.
Timeless Wisdom for Modern Life
Universal Wisdom
His teachings transcend nationality, race, age and background, offering practical spiritual guidance for everyone.
Practical Spirituality
He showed that spiritual life is not separate from daily life, but its true foundation.
Authentic Succession
His teachings preserve Krishna’s original message through an unbroken chain of spiritual teachers.
Meet His Teachings in Person
Śrīla Prabhupāda showed that anyone, regardless of background, can awaken pure love for Krishna through bhakti yoga. Read his books, or come and study them with us.