A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, informally known as Srila Prabhupada, comes in direct succession from Lord Krishna and Lord Chaitanya.

Shrila Prabhupada comes in the direct succession from Lord Krishna and Lord Chaitanya. In 1922, he was instructed by his spiritual master to take the message of Sanatana Dharma to the Western world. At the age of 69, after a lifetime of preparation, Shrila Prabhupada received a free passage on board a steamship bound for America.

He arrived in New York City in 1965 with a mere 40 rupees and a trunk load of his published works; yet within him, he had a desire to share the treasure of India's spiritual heritage.

After a year of hardship, Shrila Prabhupada established the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. His early disciples were trained in all aspects of Vedic culture and were sent to open centres throughout America, and later to Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia.

Despite his advanced age, Shrila Prabhupada travelled tirelessly throughout the world, circling the globe 14 times and opening 108 temples in 12 years. He initiated many projects: schools and restaurants, farm communities, temples, and write over 70 books as translations and commentaries on the Vedic literature, including Bhagavad-gita and Shrimad Bhagavatam. It is no wonder that in 1996, the Prime Minister of India declared him to be "India's greatest spiritual and philosophical ambassador to the world".

Shrila Prabhupada passed from this world in November 1977, but the work he began continues to grow. It is said of the spiritual master:

"He lives forever by his instructions and his followers live with him".

(Copyright BBT-International)