His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Founder-Acarya of International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON)
The Extraordinary Biography of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
He built a house in which the whole world can live
His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (1896-1977) was sent by the Lord Krishna to fulfil Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's prediction “Prtvithe ache yata nagaradi grama, sarvatra pracara haibe more nama” - In every town and village of the world, My name will be heard. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura wrote in his Sajjona-tosani, "Soon there will be a time when the chanting of Krishna's name will be heard in England, France, Russia, Germany and America." Srila Prabhupada is widely regarded as the world’s pre-eminent exponent of the teachings and practices of Bhakti-yoga to the Western world. He is a Gaudiya Vaishnava spiritual teacher and the Founder-acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), commonly known as the "Hare Krishna Movement”.
· Early life: He appeared as Abhay Charan De on September 1, in 1896, in Calcutta, a day after Sri Krishna Janmastami. His father was Gour Mohan De, a cloth merchant, and his mother was Rajani. Gour Mohan was a pure Vaisnava, and he raised his son to be Krishna conscious. Every morning before breakfast, the family members would visit the temple to see the Deity of Radha-Govinda. Gour Mohan wanted Vaisnava goals for his son; he wanted Abbay to become a servant of Sri Sri Radha and Krishna, to become a preacher of the Bhagavatam and to learn the devotional art of playing the mrdanga drum. He regularly received sadhus in his home, and he would always ask them, "Please bless my son that Srimati Radharani will grant him Her blessings." Abbay was also enamoured with the Rathayatra festival of Lord Jagannatha. With the help of his father, he built a Rathayatra cart and had Rathayatra festival with his friends. During Abhay's college years, his father arranged for his marriage, selecting Radharani Datta. Abbay was especially interested in Mohandas K. Gandhi.
· Meeting with Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati: In 1922 Abhay had the first meeting with his spiritual master, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, a prominent religious scholar and the founder of sixty-four Gaudiya Mathas (Vedic institutes). At first Abbay didn't want to meet him, having been unimpressed by the so-called sadhus who used to visit his father's house. But a friend of Abhay's had insisted, escorting him to the quarters of the Gaudiya Math, where they were brought him in the presence of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati. No sooner did Abbay and his friend respectfully bow before the saintly person and prepare to sit than he said to them, "You are educated young men. Why don't you preach Lord Caitanya's message throughout the whole world?" Abbay was very surprised that the sadhu had immediately asked them to become preachers on his behalf. Impressed by Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, he wanted to test him with intelligent inquiries. Abbay proclaimed one to be a supporter of Gandhi's cause for political emancipation. In the spirit of Indian nationalism, therefore, Abbay inquired, "Who will hear your Caitanya's message? We are a dependent country. First India must become independent. How can we spread India's culture if we are under British rule?"
· Srila Bhaktisiddhanta replied that Krishna consciousness didn't have to wait for a change in Indian politics, nor was it dependent on who ruled. Krishna consciousness was so important that it could not wait. All governments were temporary; the eternal reality was Krishna consciousness, and the real self was the spirit soul. No man-made political system could help humanity. This was the verdict of the Vedic scriptures and the line of spiritual masters. Real public welfare work, he said, should go beyond concerns of the temporary and prepare a person for his next life and his eternal relationship with the Supreme. Abhay concluded that this was certainly not dubious sadhu. He listened attentively to the arguments become convinced. That very night he had actually accepted Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati as his spiritual master. "Not officially," Prabhupada said, "but in my heart. I was thinking that I had met a very nice saintly person."
· In 1932, Abhay received initiation from Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura. Abhay's family responsibilities and his preaching, however, seemed to conflict. His wife was religious at home, but didn't like the idea to spread Krishna consciousness. When Abbay attempted to hold gatherings in their home and speak from Bhagavad-Gita, she preferred to stay upstairs drinking tea. Still, despite her obstinacy, Abbay remained patient and tried to include her.
· Srila Bhaktisiddhanta departed from the mortal world in Dec 1936. One month before his departure, Abhay wrote him a letter. He was thinking that as a grhastha he couldn't fully serve his spiritual master, and he wanted to know what more he could do. Thus he inquired, "Is there any particular service I can do?" Two weeks later Abhay received a reply: "I am fully confident that you can explain in English our thoughts and arguments to the people who are not conversant with the languages [Bengali and Hindi]… This will do much good to yourself as well as your audience. I have every hope that you can turn yourself into a very good English preacher." Abhay at once recognized this to be the same instruction he had received at his first meeting with Srila Bhaktisiddhanta, in 1922. He took it as a confirmation. He now had no doubt as to the purpose of his life.
· In 1940s large national and international events continued including World War II and in 1947 India gained her long-sought independence from Britain. But the national happiness was soon followed by horror as hundreds of thousands died in the fighting that followed the partition of the nation into India and Pakistan. Abbay was not hopeful about promises for peace, nor did he consider Indian independence the solution. Unless the leaders were God conscious, what change would there be? In Back to Godhead, in his article "Gandhi-Jinnah Talks," he wrote, "Fighting will go on between Hindu and Mohammedan, between Christians and Christians, between Buddhist and Buddhist till the day of annihilation." His point: “As long as people are possessed of selfish interests and desires for sense gratification, they will continue fighting. Real unity was possible only on the platform of spiritual understanding and service to the Supreme.” Recognizing Abhay’s philosophical learning and devotion, the Gaudiya Vaisnava Society honored him in 1947 with the title "Bhaktivedanta."
· Struggling alone: With great difficulty, even when Abbay was unable to raise enough money to publish regular issues of Back to Godhead magazine, he continued writing. He wrote to many leaders in government. Presenting himself as a humble servant, he would explain his ideas on how to apply India's original Krishna conscious culture as the successful solution to all manner of dilemmas.
· At Jhansi: Once a hospital customer in the city of Jhansi invited Abbay to lecture at the Gita Mandir. His lecture was well received. Leaving his Allahabad business affairs in the hands of his son, he tried to create a spiritual movement in Jhansi. Abbay was 56, and he thought that he must now begin very seriously manifesting the orders of his spiritual master. Since his spiritual master's institution, the Gaudiya Math, had become ineffectual due to fights and permanent factions, he attempted to start a movement of devotees with worldwide activities. In 1954 he wrote a charter and legally registered his movement as the "League of Devotees": "Wanted-candidates from any nationality to qualify themselves as real Brahmins for preaching the teachings of Bhagwat Geeta for all practical purposes throughout the whole world. Deserving candidates will be provided with free boarding and lodging. Apply: A.C. Bhaktivedanta, Founder and Secretary of the League of Devotees, Bharati Bhawan, P.O. Jhansi (U.P.)" -Abhay Charan De. At Jhansi he had to leave his building when the governor's wife insisted that it be used for a ladies' club instead of the League of Devotees. Without a place to stay and with no real support, he left Jhansi to New Delhi.
· New Delhi - Crying Alone in Wilderness: The 1950s proved very difficult years for Abbay. In Delhi he spent his time writing and approaching donors, to whom he preached Bhagavad-Gita. He was calling on wealthy men, presenting his manuscripts and explaining his mission. But few responded. Eventually, however, he collected enough to again print Back to Godhead magazine. Lacking money to buy even proper clothes, Abbay went through the chilly Delhi winter without a jacket. He would regularly walk to the printer's to read the latest proofs of Back to Godhead. When the printer asked him why he was intent on producing his newspaper under such hardships, he replied, "It is my mission." He managed to pay the printer small amounts at intervals. After picking up the copies from the printer, Abhay would walk around the city selling them. He would take a seat at a tea stand, and when someone sat beside him he would ask him to please take a copy of Back to Godhead. His writing was never shrill, strident, or fanatical, despite his desperate poverty and the urgency of his message. He wrote expecting to find his reader prepared to hear sound philosophy and willing to accept the truth, especially when presented logically, relevantly, and authoritatively.
· While keeping up his effort of printing and selling Back to Godhead in Delhi, Abhay decided to take up residence in Vrindavana, a small holy town, 80 miles south of New Delhi. Abhay's idea was to write his essays in the peaceful, spiritual atmosphere of Vrindavana and commute to Delhi to distribute his literature and seek donations from respectable patrons. He took a simple, very inexpensive room in the Vamsi Gopalaji temple, located on the bank of the Yamuna River.
· Sannyasa: One night Abhay had a striking dream, the same dream he had had several times before, during his days as a householder. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, his spiritual master appeared in his dream. He urged Abhay to take sannyasa. Later Abhay formally took sannyasa. Abbay's name became Abhay Caranaravinda Bhaktivedanta Swami. Yet his basic problems remained. He wanted to preach Krishna consciousness, but few were willing to listen.
· The Momentous Hour of Need: Once a librarian advised him to write books as they were permanent, whereas newspapers and magazines were read once and thrown away. Bhaktivedanta Swami took it that his spiritual master was speaking through this person. Bhaktivedanta Swami considered Srimad-Bhagavatam, because it was the most important and authoritative Vaisnava scripture. He returned to Delhi with new purpose. Through an old printing contact, he met a temple owner who gave him a free room in his Radha-Krishna temple near Chandni Chowk. The neighbourhood was called Chippiwada, a congested, mixed Hindu-Muslim quarter. With new enthusiasm, he picked up a few donations and began again publishing Back to Godhead while at the same time beginning his translation and commentary of Srimad-Bhagavatam. At his room in the Chippiwada temple, he typed day and night at his desk beneath the small light that dangled on its cord from the ceiling. He sat on a thin mat on the floor, his typewriter before him on a trunk. Pages accumulated, and he kept them in place with stones. Food and sleep were only incidental. He was completely convinced that Srimad-Bhagavatam would create a revolution in a misdirected civilization. Thus he translated each word and wrote each purport with exacting care and concentration.
· At Radha Damodara temple: Bhaktivedanta Swami later moved his Vrindavana residence to the Radha-Damodara temple. Now without even leaving his room, he could look out and see the altar and the four-foot-high form of Vrndavana-candra, the black marble Krishna Deity worshiped hundreds of years ago by Krsnadasa Kaviraja. While staying at the Radha-Damodara temple, Bhaktivedanta Swami would prepare his own meals. And as he sat to take prasadam, he could see through the latticework the samadhi tomb of Rupa Gosvami. Feeling Rupa Gosvami's presence, he would think of his own mission for his spiritual master.
· The Dream Come True: Once in Vrindavana, Bhaktivedanta Swami met Mr. Agarwal, a Mathura businessman, and mentioned to him in passing, as he did to almost everyone he met, that he wanted to go to the West. Although Mr. Agarwal had known Bhaktivedanta Swami for only a few minutes, he volunteered to try to get him a sponsor in America by asking his son Gopal, an engineer in Pennsylvania, to send back a sponsorship form. When Mr. Agarwal volunteered to help in this way, Bhaktivedanta Swami urged him to please do so. One day, to his surprise, he was contacted by the Ministry of External Affairs and informed that his No Objection certificate for traveling to the U.S.A was ready. Since he had not instigated any proceedings for leaving the country, he had to inquire from the ministry about what had happened. They showed him the Statutory Declaration Form signed by Mr. Gopal Agarwal of Butler, Pennsylvania; Mr. Agarwal solemnly declared that he would bear the expenses of Bhaktivedanta Swami during his stay in the U.S.A.
· Meeting with Sumati Morarji: Having obtained the passport and sponsorship papers, Bhaktivedanta Swami went to Bombay to seek assistance in getting to America. He approached Sumati Morarji, the head of the Scindia Steamship Line, who had helped him with a large donation for printing Volume Two of Srimad-Bhagavatam. He showed his sponsorship papers to her secretary, Mr. Choksi, who was impressed and went to Mrs. Morarji on his behalf. Mrs. Morarji said no, the Swamiji was too old to go to the United States and expect to accomplish anything. Mr. Choksi conveyed to him Mrs. Morarji's words, but Bhaktivedanta Swami listened disapprovingly. She wanted him to stay in India and complete Srimad-Bhagavatam. Why go to the United States? she had argued. Finish the job here. But Bhaktivedanta Swami was fixed on going. He told Mr. Choksi to convince Mrs. Morarji and even coached him on what to say. But when Mr. Choksi told Mrs. Morarji she again said no; the Swami was not healthy. Besides, people in America were not so cooperative, and they would probably not listen to him. Exasperated with Mr. Choksi's ineffectiveness, he demanded a personal interview. He presented his emphatic request: "Please give me one ticket ...” Sumati Morarji was concerned: "Swamiji. You are so old-you are taking this responsibility. Do you think it is all right?" "No," he reassured her, lifting his hand as if to reassure a doubting daughter. "It is all right... But do you know what my secretaries think? They say, ‘Swamiji is going to die there.’… " Bhaktivedanta Swami made a face as if to dismiss a foolish rumour. Again he insisted that she give him a ticket. "All right," she said. "Get your P-form, and I will make an arrangement to send you by our ship.” Bhaktivedanta Swami smiled brilliantly and happily left her office. Following Mrs. Morarji's instructions, the secretary made final arrangements. She scheduled a place for him on one of her ships, the Jaladuta, which was sailing from Calcutta on August 13. She had made certain that he would travel on a ship whose captain under stood the needs of a vegetarian and a brahmana, and she told the Jaladuta’s captain, Arun Pandia to carry extra vegetables and fruits for the Swami.
· Jaladuta: On August 13, 1965, at the age of 69, he set off to the West to fulfil the mission of his spiritual master, begging free passage and boarding a cargo ship to New York. On the day of his departure on Jaladuta, he had only a suitcase, an umbrella, a supply of dry cereal, a Bengali copy of Caitanya-Caritamrta and just 7 dollars in Indian rupees. The journey proved to be treacherous. He suffered two heart attacks aboard ship. By August 23rd, the ship was travelling through Red Sea where he encountered great difficulty. He noted in his diary: "Rain, seasickness, dizziness, headache, no appetite, vomiting.” In two days he suffered two heart attacks. He tolerated the difficulty, meditating on the purpose of his mission, but after two days of such violent attacks he thought that if another were to come he would certainly not survive. On the night of the second day, he had a dream. Lord Krishna, in His many forms, was rowing a boat, and Lord told him that he should not fear. He felt assured of Lord Krishna's protection, and the violent attacks did not recur. After 35 days at sea he finally arrived at a lonely Brooklyn pier with just $7 dollars in Indian rupees and a crate of his translations of sacred Sanskrit texts. Arriving at Commonwealth Pier at Boston harbour, he wrote a poem, entitled "Markine Bhagavata-dharma" ("Teaching Krishna Consciousness in America").
· In America: In New York he faced great hardships without money or a place to live. For the first year he struggled alone, booking speaking engagements at yoga studios, YMCAs, and bohemian artists' lofts, while living in the homes of people he met who sympathized with his cause and would give him temporary residence. He would often take a small bongo drum and sit under a tree in a public park to chant the holy names of Krishna. Curious onlookers would gather. Some joined in the chanting. Some began to take an active interest in his mission. He began his mission humbly, by giving classes on the Bhagavad-Gita in lofts on the Bowery, New York’s infamous skid row, and leading kirtan (traditional devotional chants) in Tompkins Square Park. His message of peace and goodwill resonated with many young people, some of whom came forward to become serious students of the Krishna-bhakti tradition. With the help of these students, Bhaktivedanta Swami rented a small storefront on New York’s Lower East Side to use as a temple. After a year of hardship and struggle, in July of 1966, Bhaktivedanta Swami established the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) for the purpose of checking the imbalance of values in the world and working for real unity and peace.
· Spreading Krishna Consciousness Worldwide: He brought to the West the divine teachings of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu who taught the public glorification of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. Srila Prabhupada taught that every living being is an eternal servant of Lord Sri Krishna with a dormant natural propensity to experience the eternal bliss of pure love of God. He taught that each soul is part and parcel of the quality of God and that one could find true happiness through living a simpler, more natural way of life and dedicating one’s energy in the service of God.
· Having begun initiating his American followers into the Gaudiya Vaishnava lineage, Bhaktivedanta Swami next traveled to San Francisco. Amidst the emerging hippie community in the Haight-Ashbury district, during 1967’s “Summer of Love” he taught that the experience of devotion through kirtan was a spiritual “high” superior to any pleasures derived from material sources such as wealth, fame, or intoxication. In the following months many more came forward to assist him. Desiring to address him with the respect due a revered spiritual teacher, his disciples began to call him Srila Prabhupada, meaning “one at whose feet the masters sit”. In 1967, the first Rathayatra festival outside of India was held in San Francisco. Rathayatra is one of the oldest and largest annual religious festivals in the world, performed each year in the holy city of Jagannatha Puri on the East Coast of India. Several million people line the streets to pull giant 3-story chariots carrying deity forms of Lord Krishna through the streets, accompanied by festive chanting of His names. Today Lord Jagannatha Rathayatra is organized in many major cities and towns in more than 165 countries.
· From 1969 to 1973, temples opened in Europe, Canada, South America, Mexico, Africa, Australia and India. From 1970 to 1977, ISKCON built major centres at the holy pilgrimage sites of Mayapur and Vrindavana, India, and a large temple in Mumbai. In 1972, Srila Prabhupada founded the publishing house Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (BBT), now the world’s foremost publisher of books on Krishna consciousness, or bhakti-yoga. From 1966 through 1977, Srila Prabhupada translated more than 40 volumes of the great classics of Krishna conscious literature from Sanskrit into English, giving elaborate commentaries synthesizing the realizations of previous masters along with his own. These books include Bhagavad-Gita As It Is, the definitive presentation of Lord Krishna's teachings, Srimad-Bhagavatam (Bhagavata Purana), the 18-volume history of Lord Krishna's incarnations, pastimes and devotees, and Sri Caitanya-Caritamrta, the 9-volume biography and teachings of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. These books have been published by the BBT in more than 50 languages, with several million copies sold and distributed by members of ISKCON to people all over the world. Since 1974, ISKCON Food for Life has run karma-free vegetarian food relief programs in disaster areas and cities around the world.
· In the 11 years (1966-1977), Srila Prabhupada circled the globe fourteen times, bringing the teachings of Bhakti to thousands of people on six continents. Men and women from all backgrounds came forward to accept his message. With their help, Srila Prabhupada established centers and projects throughout the world including temples, rural communities, educational institutions, and what would become the world’s largest vegetarian food relief program.
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