This photo, digitally enhanced, shows Srila Prabhupada as a young gentleman.
After receiving spiritual initiation in 1932, Srila Prabhupada (then Abhay Charan De) sought to expand his pharmaceutical business both to support his family and to contribute to his spiritual master’s preaching mission. Even more important to him, however, were the rare occasions when he could meet with his spiritual master, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta’s affectionate dealings with Abhay, his vast erudition in Krsna conscious philosophy, and his uncompromising attacks against casteism and cheating religionists impressed Abhay deeply and provided lasting inspiration for his own preaching work.
This is a partially restored photo from the 1924 family portrait of Srila Prabhupada and family.
A further improvement of Srila Prabhupada's photo in young age.
As a youth growing up in British-controlled India, Abhay became involved with Mahatma Gandhi’s civil disobedience movement to secure independence for his nation. It was, however, a 1922 meeting with a prominent scholar and religious leader, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, which proved most influential on Abhay’s future calling.
Thanks to the kind contribution of my dear godsister HG Nitya Tripta Mataji, from the Bhaktivedanta Archives, who supplied a higher resolution photo from the 1924 family portrait of Srila Prabhupada, which is the origin of this, the hairs from the chin were removed, so this should be closer to the original.
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