Founder-Acharya
His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The spiritual teacher who brought Krishna consciousness from India to the entire world — and whose mission ISKCON Rewari continues today.
Early Life & Calling
A Mission Given, and Carried For Decades
Srila Prabhupada was born Abhay Charan De in Calcutta in 1896. In 1922, he met his spiritual master, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, who asked him to spread the teachings of Krishna consciousness to the English-speaking world. Prabhupada took this instruction to heart, and for the next four decades — as a householder, then later as a renounced monk (sannyasi) — he prepared for that mission: writing, studying, and translating the teachings of Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam.
The Journey to America
In 1965, at the age of 69 — when most people are winding down — Srila Prabhupada boarded the steamship Jaladuta alone, carrying little more than a trunk of his translated books and a few rupees, and sailed to New York City. He arrived with no organization, no funding, and no institutional support — only the instruction of his spiritual master and an unwavering conviction that the teachings of Krishna consciousness belonged to everyone, everywhere.
"A pure devotee never becomes discouraged in his attempt to spread the glories of the Lord."
Founding ISKCON
Within a year of arriving in America, Srila Prabhupada founded the International Society for Krishna Consciousness in July 1966 in New York. What began as a handful of curious young Americans chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra in a storefront grew, within just twelve years, into a worldwide movement — over 100 temples, farm communities, and cultural centers across six continents.
A Prolific Author
Alongside building the institution, Srila Prabhupada translated and wrote commentary on more than 80 volumes of Vedic literature, including the celebrated Bhagavad-gita As It Is and an 18-volume translation of the Srimad-Bhagavatam — texts now read and studied by millions worldwide, in many languages.
Legacy
Srila Prabhupada transcends to his spiritual form on 14 November 1977 in Vrindavan, India — but his mission did not end there. He left behind not just books and temples, but a worldwide community of disciples and devotees committed to carrying his instruction forward. ISKCON Rewari, and the temple rising here in Rewari today, is one small but sincere continuation of that same mission he began alone, on a ship, at the age of 69.
1896 — Born
Abhay Charan De is born in Calcutta, India.
1922 — Meets His Guru
Instructed by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura to spread Krishna consciousness in English.
1965 — Sails to America
At age 69, journeys alone to New York City aboard the Jaladuta.
1966 — Founds ISKCON
Establishes the International Society for Krishna Consciousness in New York.
For a complete biography, see the official Srila Prabhupada archives maintained by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust and ISKCON's founding history resources.