THE SWAMI WHO STARTED IT ALL

Within the final twenty years of his life Srila Prabhupada translated over sixty volumes of classic Vedic scriptures (such as the Bhagavad Gita and the Srimad Bhagavatam) into the English language. For their authority, depth, and clarity, his books have won praise from professors at universities like Harvard and Oxford, and his Bhagavad-Gita As It Is was published by Macmillan Publishers in 1968 and the unabridged edition in 1972, and is now available in over sixty languages around the world. Other books by Srila Prabhupada are available in over eighty different languages. Over 500 million books of his have been distributed to date.
Srila Prabhupada established The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (BBT) in 1972 to publish his works. The BBT has also published his multi-volume biography, Srila Prabhupada-Lilamrta, that, according to acclaimed scholar of religion Larry Shinn, will “certainly be one of the most complete records of the life and work of any modern religious figure”. Srila Prabhupada reminded his devotees before his passing that he would live forever in his books, and through them would remain present as a spiritual master or guru. He had instilled in his followers an understanding of the importance of writing and publishing not only with regard to his works, but also their own initiatives.

SRILA PRABHUPADA : A MULTIFACETED PERSONALITY

A LIFETIME OF DEVOTION

1896
Born as Abhay Charan De on 1st September 1896 in Kolkata, West Bengal, India, at about 4pm to father Gaura Mohan De and mother Rajani Devi.
1918
Enters married life with Radharani Datta
1922
Meets for the first time His Divine Grace Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura his future initiating spiritual master who asks him to preach Lord Chaitanya’s mission in the Western countries.
1925
Visits Vrindavan (the holy land where Lord Krishna spent his childhood) for the first time and hears more from Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami.
1933
Receives formal initiation from his spiritual master Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami.
1935
Travels to Vrindavan to see his spiritual master, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami, who gave him two essential instructions: to print books and build temples.
1944
Starts writing and publishing ‘Back to Godhead’ magazine.
1947
Receives the honorary title of ‘Bhaktivedanta’ from his God-brothers in the Gaudiya Math.
1947
Receives the honorary title of ‘Bhaktivedanta’ from his God-brothers in the Gaudiya Math.
1959
Awarded sannyasa (the renounced order of life) in Mathura by one of his God-brothers, His Holiness B.P. Kesava Maharaj.
1965
Voyage to the USA aboard the Jaladuta ship lasting one month, during which time he suffers two heart attacks.
1965
Historic arrival in America. The ship Jaladuta docks at Commonwealth Pier, Boston.
1966
Incorporates the International Society for Krishna consciousness (ISKCON)
1968
Bhagavad-gita As It Is abridged edition published by Macmillan
1970
Establishes the Governing Body Commission, the ultimate managing authority of ISKCON.
1972
Establishes the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (BBT)
1974
Completes the translation of Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita into English
1975
Opens Sri Sri Krishna Balarama Temple in Vrindavan - Later to be his final resting place.
1977
Departs from the mortal world - at the age of 81, in Vrindavan, India.

EXPRESSING DEVOTION THROUGH

SHRINES & MEMORIALS

VRINDAVAN SAMADHI

Srila Prabhupada spent his final days with devotees in Vrindaban, India, absorbed in thought of Krishna. After his departure here, his body was placed in samadhi adjacent to ISKCON's Krishna-Balarama temple. The samadhi mandir is a beautifully designed, marble-clad building.

MAYAPUR PUSHPA SAMADHI

Traditionally, a garland worn by a spiritual master is placed in the ground to dedicate a site in his honor. Srila Prabhupada’s followers built a magnificent domed samadhi on the ISKCON campus at Mayapur, West Bengal, over garlands that he was wearing when he left his body.

PLACE OF GOLD

Srila Prabhupada spent his final days with devotees in Vrindaban, India, absorbed in thought of Krishna. After his departure here, his body was placed in samadhi adjacent to ISKCON's Krishna-Balarama temple. The samadhi mandir is a beautifully designed, marble-clad building.

MATCHLESS GIFTS

At 26 2nd Avenue, Manhattan, New York, you’ll find the first temple Srila Prabhupada established in America and the Western world. This small storefront—the previous tenants had named it “Matchless Gifts”—became the first home of the Hare Krishna movement.

OTHER MEMORIALS

At the following temples, devotees have carefully preserved the rooms where Srila Prabhupada lived. The links, where available, will take you to the temple’s website.

ISKCON Krishna-Balarama Mandir, Vrindaban, India
ISKCON Radha-Rasabihari Mandir, Mumbai, India
ISKCON Mayapur, West Bengal, India
ISKCON Bhaktivedanta Manor, Letchmore Heath, Watford, UK
ISKCON New Dwarka Dham, Los Angeles
ISKCON Radha Govinda Mandir, New York

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