All Episodes

April 26, 2025 20 mins

A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada was a visionary spiritual teacher and the founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). Born as Abhay Charan De on September 1, 1896, in Calcutta, India, he dedicated his life to spreading the teachings of Krishna consciousness worldwide.

In 1922, he met Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur, who urged him to share Vedic knowledge in English. This encounter shaped his mission, leading him to take sannyasa (renounced order) in 1959 and begin translating and commenting on sacred texts like the Bhagavad Gita and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.

At the age of 69, he embarked on a journey to the United States in 1965, carrying only a few books and a deep faith in Krishna. Despite initial struggles, he established ISKCON in 1966, which grew into a global movement promoting bhakti-yoga, devotional service, and the chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra.

His teachings emphasized self-realization, spiritual discipline, and a life dedicated to Krishna. He encouraged his followers to adopt a pure lifestyle, avoiding meat, gambling, intoxication, and illicit relationships. His literary contributions, including Bhagavad-Gītā As It Is and Caitanya-caritāmṛta, remain foundational texts for ISKCON devotees.

Prabhupada passed away on November 14, 1977, in Vrindavan, India, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire millions worldwide. His work transformed the global spiritual landscape, making Krishna consciousness accessible to seekers across cultures.

Mark as Played

Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

United States of Kennedy
Dateline NBC

Dateline NBC

Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

Stuff You Should Know

Stuff You Should Know

If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.