๐ A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada โ The Founder of ISKCON ๐ Abhay Charanaravinda Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada was born on 1st September 1896 in Kolkata, India ๐ฎ๐ณ. From a young age, he was spiritually inclined and deeply influenced by Vaishnava teachings, especially those of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu โ a 15th-century saint and devotee of Lord Krishna. ๐งโ๐ Early Life and Education He studied at Scottish Church College, affiliated with the University of Calcutta. Though he pursued a career in pharmaceuticals ๐, his heart remained devoted to spiritual life and the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita ๐. ๐โโ๏ธ Meeting His Guru โ A Turning Point In 1922, he met his spiritual master, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura ๐๏ธ, who urged him to spread the message of Lord Krishna in the English language. This moment deeply impacted him and laid the foundation for his life's mission. ๐ Preparation for His Mission In 1944, he began publishing an English spiritual magazine called "Back to Godhead" ๐ฐ, which he wrote, printed, and distributed himself. In 1959, he accepted sannyasa (renounced order of life) ๐ง, and took the name Bhaktivedanta Swami. He translated and commented on sacred texts like the Bhagavad Gita and the Srimad Bhagavatam ๐ into English. ๐ข Journey to the West โ A Historic Voyage At the age of 69, in 1965, Prabhupada boarded a cargo ship named Jaladuta ๐ข to travel to the United States. He had just $7 ๐ต, a trunk of books ๐ฆ, and immense faith in Lord Krishna ๐. The journey was rough, and he suffered two heart attacks, but he survived โ convinced that Krishna had a plan for him. ๐ฝ Establishing ISKCON in New York In 1966, in a small storefront on Second Avenue in New York City ๐๏ธ, he founded the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). His movement began with a few young Americans but rapidly spread due to its universal message of love, peace, and spiritual awakening ๐ซ. ๐ Global Impact Prabhupada circled the globe 14 times โ๏ธ between 1966 and 1977, establishing more than 100 temples ๐ across continents. He initiated thousands of disciples, published over 70 books ๐, and emphasized chanting the Hare Krishna mantra as the most effective way to attain spiritual awakening: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare ๐ถ