The Life of Srila Prabhupada

By: Vrindavana Vinode das

Abhay Caran, later know as A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada was born in 1896 in Calcutta. His father paid great attention to Abhay’s spiritual and material education. While Abhay attended university, the independence movement in India gained strength, and he considered himself a follower of Gandhi.

He met his spiritual master, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, in 1922. Abhay was asked at their first meeting to help spread the mission of Lord Caitanya in the English language. His Spiritual master convinced him that the greatest needs in society are self-realization and Krishna Consciousness, no matter what social force or government rules. Krsna consciousness, he said has so much spiritual potency that it can unite the world in loving devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. From that time on Abhay beagan to prepare for this extraordinary work.

Since he already had a small family and a pharmaceutical business, he used his extra time to study and plan the spreading of these teaching as his spiritual master had requested. In the 1950s, he lived in Vrindavana and accepted the renounced order of life. He began translating the most important Vedic scripture from Sanskrit into English and writing commentaries on it.

He felt that his real mission could be accomplished only outside India, so in August 1965 he took the instruction of his beloved spiritual master to heart and left for America to teach Krsna consciousness. He traveled on a complimentary ticket as the only passenger on the freighter Jaladuta. He carried a suitcase, an umbrella, a supply of dry cereal, seven dollars’ worth of just fourty Indian rupees and a few trunks of his books. During the journey he suffered two severe heart attacks. After thirty-seven days the jaladuta arrived in New York , where Bhaktivedanta Swami had only on or two connections. He had no followers yet, and no guarantee that he would fulfill his Guru’s instruction to preach in the West. Despite fragile health, a foreign culture,a dn a materialistic audience, he persevered with resolute purpose, and soon Krsna Rewarded him with astonishing success.

He found the younger generation of Americans disappointed with the establishment and frustrated with life. Searching for solutions, many young people had taken to drugn and pseudo-spiritual processes . they were both challenging and receptive. Srila Prabhupada lived simply and gave talks wherever he had an opportunity. His first followers came from the regular visitors to his classes on the Lower East Side. In july 1966 he founded ISKCON, International Society For Krishna Consciousness. Beginning in January 1967, he opened more branches of ISKCON in North America and by this intense preaching soon started centers in Euorpe.

Srila Prabhupada’s effect on his disciples was certain. His patience, peacefulness, kind severity, humor, and philosophical knowledge enthralled them. They were not blind followers but thoughtful young people who appreciated Prabhupada’s deeply satisfying explanations to questions that others could not answer. Is there life after death? What is the purpose of life? Can we know God? Among thousands of Srila Prabhupada’s supporters and admirers were Allen Ginsberg and George Harrison.

In his preaching, Srila Prabhupada neither emphasized the difference between religions not tried to merge them. He taught that every living entity’s nature is to be the servant of God and as long as they serve others instead, they cannot be happy nor satisfy anyone else. Krsna consciousness however is more that philosophy. It is a way of life and it spiritualize all aspects of life. It has special ceremonies and rituals, its own style of clothing, music and cuisine, even its own particular fragrances. Anyone visiting a Hare Krsna temple and smells the aromas of sandalwood incense or vegetables fried in ghee experiences this ancient culture.

Twelve years after arriving in America, Bhaktivedanta Swami left this world (on November 14th, 1977) at the age on 81. His sincere efforts wer crowned with extraordinary success. The message of Lord Caitanya was established in the West and throughout the world beyond his expectations. Srila Prabhupada spread the teachings of Krsna consciousness in most major cities of the world. He initiated several thousand disciples, started 108 temples, farm communities & gurukulas and traveled around the globe fourteen times, guiding the members of his movement. He authored more that eighty volumes of translations with commentaries, now published in every major language of the world.

He was respected by prominent academics and well known people, who expressed their appreaciation for his achievements in the culture. Harvey cox, the world famour professor of religion at Harvard Described how th gradually recognized the importance of Srila Prabhupada:
“ I remember I was quite astonished when I first met the devotees. I was wondering who they were. Their clothes, their singing, and their shaved heads were somewhat strange to me. Later, when I got to know the movement, I realized that essence of its teachings and the original roots of Christianity bear some striking resemblances. These are simple living, not collecting too many mundane goods and acting our of compassion and love for all living entities. I think what Srila Prabhupada wrote and did was important and lasting.”