His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (vegetarian): Bringing Krishna Consciousness to the Western World, Part 1 of 2

His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, or Srila Prabhupada, is considered a foremost Vedic translator and scholar of modern times. He was a Sri Guru of Gaudiya Vaishnavism, and the founder-acharya of the International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), also known as the Hare Krishna movement.

His Divine Grace spread a message of spiritual living, love for God, and humble service to humankind. Within 12 years, he had circled the globe 14 times to preach the teachings of Lord Krishna, and together with his followers established 108 temples in major cities around the world, a vegetarian food relief program, the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, and more…

Srila Prabhupada was born on September 1, 1896, in Kolkata, the capital of India’s West Bengal state, into a Hindu-practicing family. Srila Prabhupada received a European-led education at the Scottish Church College in Kolkata and majored in English, philosophy, and economics. In 1932, Srila Prabhupada received initiation in the Gaudiya Math in Allahabad, and Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami accepted him as His formal disciple.

In 1944, he single-handedly began “Back to Godhead” publications, an English fortnightly magazine. His devotion was recognized by members of the Gaudiya Math monastic order, and Srila Prabhupada was awarded the honorary title “Bhaktivedanta,” meaning “one who has realized that devotional service to the Supreme Lord is the end of all knowledge.”

In 1959, Srila Prabhupada received formal sannyasa initiation and was given the name A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami. His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada always preached that to attain Krishna consciousness, or to act in complete harmony with God’s will, one must wholeheartedly follow the instructions of a spiritual guide – a representative of the Lord.