Abhaya Caranaravinda Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, lovingly called by his disciples as Srila Prabhupada, is the Founder-Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). His profound impact reverberates through the lives of countless devotees, imbuing their existence with a spiritual depth and purpose that transcends ordinary understanding.
His earthly manifestation represents a rarity, a divine emissary whose life’s mission was singularly dedicated to the global dissemination of God consciousness. With unwavering commitment, he traversed continents, bridging cultures, and illuminating hearts with the timeless wisdom of Krishna Consciousness.
Today (Aug 31, 2023), as per the lunar calendar, we commemorate the most auspicious 58th anniversary of Srila Prabhupada’s departure for the United States of America. On the 13th of August, 1965, a few days before Janmastami and shortly before his sixty-ninth birthday, Srila Prabhupada embarked on a profound mission. With merely a small suitcase, an umbrella, a bag of dry cereal, some boxes of books, and a few rupees, he set foot on the cargo ship Jaladuta, carrying out the sacred task bestowed upon him by his spiritual master many years prior.
Recollections from Mr. Sisir Bhattacharya, an acquaintance of Srila Prabhupada in Calcutta, shed light on the solitude of this momentous departure: “When he left Calcutta harbor for New York, there was no one on the shore to bid him goodbye. He was alone, a lone fighter. No friends, no supporters, no disciples, nobody. I, even if called upon, was not his disciple, for I followed someone else. However, due to shared love, I held deep respect for him. Thus, I stood as the sole individual on the shore bidding him farewell. No one stood beside me. At that time, I could not fathom the gravity of this event.”
Though Srila Prabhupada may have appeared as an elderly sadhu embarking on a seemingly insurmountable mission, he was never truly alone. He was perpetually accompanied by Lord Krishna Himself. His journey to America was no coincidence; it was a fulfillment of the prophecy made by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu:
ebe nama sankirtana tiksna khadga lana
antara asura jivera pheliba katiya
yadi papi chadi dharma dura dese yaya
mora senapati-bhakta yaibe tathaya
“Taking the sharp sword of the congregational chanting of the Holy Name, I will root out and destroy the demoniac mentality in the hearts of the conditioned souls. If some sinful people escape and giving up religious principles go to far off countries, then My commander in chief (Senapati Bhakta) will appear to chase them and distribute Krishna consciousness.” Chaitanya Mangala, Sutra-khanda, song 12, texts 564–565.
On this most auspicious anniversary, let us try to remember the mood and mission of Srila Prabhupada for our own purification.
Mood
The disposition of Srila Prabhupada is adorned with profound humility, exemplified by his deep reverence for his spiritual predecessors, especially his guru, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami. Despite receiving numerous accolades for his work, Prabhupada remained devoid of pride, attributing all credit to the spiritual masters in the disciplic succession and Lord Krishna. This humble demeanor is indispensable for any spiritual seeker, as it encourages a receptive heart, recognizing the necessity of guidance from spiritual authorities.
Alongside his humility, Prabhupada’s mood radiates with boundless compassion for all living entities. He expresses a profound concern for the suffering of humanity and an unwavering desire to impart the transformative wisdom of the Bhagavad-gita to others. His words in the preface of ‘Bhagavad-gita As it is’ resonate with this compassion:
“People in general, especially in this Age of Kali, are enamored by the external energy of Kṛṣṇa, and they wrongly think that by advancement of material comforts every man will be happy. They have no knowledge that the material or external nature is very strong, for everyone is strongly bound by the stringent laws of material nature.”
“We hope, therefore, that people will derive the greatest benefit by studying Bhagavad-gītā As It Is as we have presented it here, and if even one man becomes a pure devotee of the Lord, we shall consider our attempt a success.”
This compassionate disposition is indispensable for all devotees to engage in outreach and disseminate spiritual wisdom to uplift others.
Mission
Srila Prabhupada’s mission is resolute in its commitment to present the unadulterated teachings of Bhagavad-gita. He ardently emphasizes conveying Krishna’s will without any personal alterations or motivations.
His mission is twofold: First, to illuminate people, especially in the Age of Kali, about the fallacy of pursuing material comforts as the path to happiness. Many are ensnared by the external material world, deluded into thinking that accumulating possessions leads to fulfillment. Instead, the mission asserts that ultimate contentment lies in dedicating one’s energies and actions to gratifying the desires and senses of the Supreme Lord. Devotion and service are paramount, underscoring strict adherence to regulative principles and prescribed rounds of chanting. It is crucial to recognize that without such adherence, one cannot effectively serve the Lord’s senses.
Second, Prabhupada vigorously emphasizes Krishna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, whose name, form, qualities, and pastimes are absolute. In contemporary times, scholars often lack authentic disciplic succession, leading to speculative interpretations that fail to grasp the Lord’s absolute nature. Prabhupada’s commentaries establish Krishna’s supremacy and affirm that fragmental living entities are eternal servants of the Lord. This pivotal teaching dissuades speculation and fosters a mood of service and surrender, enabling a profound understanding of the living entity’s constitutional position.