In 1875, a powerful Vaishnava acharya,
Bhaktivinoda Thakura
predicted: "A personality will soon appear to preach the teachings of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
and move unrestrictedly over the whole world with His message."Srila Prabhupada – His Early years
September 1st, 1896, Abhay caran de was born to Gour mohan de and Rajani in Calcutta. In 1916, he graduated from Scottish Churches College and in 1922, he was introduced to his future spiritual master,
Bhaktisiddhanta
, who cemented their relationship, when he suggested that Abhay should take up the cause of Krishna consciousness all over the world. In 1932, Abhay was formally initiated as Abhay caranaravinda, he was to be known as A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.Srila Prabhupada – Missionary zeal
When Srila Prabhupada left Vrindavana
and came to America in 1965, it is significant that his only possession was a trunk containing the first volumes of his Shrimad-Bhagavatam
, which he considered his most important work. He founded the International Society for Krishna Consciousness in July 11th 1966, with a small group of disciples, after a year of struggling alone in New York City. This marked the only time in history that a Krishna devotee successfully trained non-Indians in the strict disciplines of Vaisnavism
. Amazingly, this was achieved during the blossoming of America's hedonistic counterculture movement.He established 108 Krishna temples on six continents, installed the deity of Krishna in each center and trained his disciples in the process of deity worship. Thirty-two new temples (almost three a month) were opened in a single year, between 1970 and 1971. Prabhupada also circled the globe fourteen times, visiting twenty-four countries, preaching, inspiring his followers and making countless public appearances before multitudes of people. He skillfully managed his international society simply through letters and personal meetings, virtually without the use of a telephone.
Srila Prabhupada – His contributions
Srila Prabhupada wrote approximately seventy books on the science of Krishna consciousness, sleeping only a few hours per day. Dozens of prominent scholars and educators from leading universities praised his work. The Encyclopedia Britannica proclaimed that his voluminous translations from the original Sanskrit and his lucid commentaries "have astounded literary and academic communities worldwide." This feat is even more astonishing considering the translations and commentaries were in English, which was a second language to the author.
We shall learn more about his efforts in the module, “Srila Prabhupada’s books.”
He introduced the "Sunday Love Feast" and other
Prasada, or prasadam
distribution programs that provided millions of free meals to the public. He formally initiated approximately five thousand disciples. These initiates represented a sweeping diversity of nationalities, races, ethnicities, and religious backgrounds.Any one of the feats mentioned above would be a significant feather in anyone's cap, even if it were the only thing a person accomplished in a lifetime. 
Yet, it is marvelous that Srila Prabhupada did all these things in just twelve years, and fulfilled so many predictions of
More details will be covered in the module, “Srila Prabhupada – A Visionary.”
As for the future of this movement, Bhaktivinoda Thakur predicted in his book, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu: His Life and Precepts, on page 62, "The principle of
Yet, it is marvelous that Srila Prabhupada did all these things in just twelve years, and fulfilled so many predictions of shastra
, great devotees, Acaryas and astrologers, and the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself, speaks volumes of his inimitable role in Vaishnava history. By his efforts, uncountable millions have read about Krishna, honored Krishna prasadam, and heard and chanted the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. Through his teachings, he continues to relieve humanity from the maladies spawned by doctrines of monism and voidism, while holding open the door of Krishna bhakti
for many generations to come. It is an understatement to point out that He will be recognized and remembered for his unprecedented contributions and will be honored throughout the world.More details will be covered in the module, “Srila Prabhupada – A Visionary.”
As for the future of this movement, Bhaktivinoda Thakur predicted in his book, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu: His Life and Precepts, on page 62, "The principle of
kirtana
, as the future church of the world, invites all classes of men without distinction of caste, creed, or clan to the highest cultivation of the spirit. This church will extend all over the world and take the place of all sectarian churches which exclude outsiders from the precincts of their mosque, church or temple."
