by Candramauli Swami
Interviewer: What does it mean to say that the Founder-Acharya is above or more important than everyone else?
Prabhupada’s teachings determine the path to follow and are compulsory for his followers. Being his follower means aligning strictly with his teachings. Sometimes we claim to follow him, but we struggle to explain his teachings—hence, reading his books is crucial. Everyone in the movement is considered a follower, and future teachings or writings must align with Prabhupada’s. This is called chastity to the Founder-Acharya. In our tradition, senior devotees may write books, but the core principles must remain unchanged, even if adapted for time, place and circumstance—like using different language to communicate the same truths.
Who can make these adjustments? That takes intelligence. Prabhupada once explained this in 1972, when asked about changes like allowing women in temple life. He said adjustments must be made with intelligence—knowing what can and cannot be changed. Intelligence is developed, not handed over.
Finally, when reading books by senior devotees based on Prabhupada’s teachings, the conclusion must still align with his original siddhanta. Different approaches may be taken, but the conclusion must be the same.
Interviewer: Srila Prabhupada’s books emphasize the importance of the guru–disciple relationship. The Ritviks argue that this means the disciple’s relationship is solely with Srila Prabhupada as the guru. Other followers believe the relationship is with the living spiritual master who gives initiation (diksa). Both agree on the principle but interpret it differently. Which understanding is correct?
There is no contradiction between having a diksa guru and accepting Srila Prabhupada as the foundational siksa guru. Prabhupada said, “Everyone is my disciple—some know it, some don’t,” meaning he came as jagat guru and offers shelter to all.
Prabhupada empowered his disciples to act on his behalf, including giving initiations, as shown in his 1974 letter encouraging disciples to become spiritual masters. But true spiritual leadership emphasises Prabhupada’s central role, not just individual guru glorification.
Some spiritual masters, like Bhakti Charu Maharaj, modelled this by focusing their Vyasa Puja on seminars about Prabhupada. Disciples should feel connected to both their guru and Prabhupada to fully receive the Lord’s mercy.
Unfortunately, Prabhupada’s presence is fading in some parts of the movement. For example, a brahmachari once dismissed Prabhupada’s Vyasa Puja by saying, “He’s your guru, not mine”—a deeply offensive misunderstanding.
Spiritual masters should serve as transparent mediums to Prabhupada, not as endpoints. He remains the foundation of the movement, and all teachings and relationships must be rooted in him.
Interviewer: There are differing views among devotees inside and outside ISKCON regarding who is the true deliverer of the disciple. Some believe it’s the diksa guru, while others say it’s Srila Prabhupada. Could you please clarify this? Does this mean that Srila Prabhupada is the ultimate deliverer of the disciple?
Srila Prabhupada is not just a diksa guru—he is the Founder-Acharya of ISKCON and the one who established the path of Krishna consciousness as we practise it. His role is foundational and unique, and all other gurus—diksa, siksa or vartma-pradarshaka-guru—must remain chaste to his teachings.
We cannot follow practices from other Vaishnava sampradayas, even if they are bona-fide, because Prabhupada gave a specific mood and method for this movement. The power of any ISKCON guru comes only through their fidelity to Prabhupada.
Prabhupada himself was empowered because he remained completely faithful to his guru, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, without altering his teachings. Similarly, all gurus in ISKCON are meant to represent and serve as transparent via media to Srila Prabhupada.
Other strong sampradayas, like Sri and Madhva, maintain their strength by strictly following and glorifying their founding acharyas. ISKCON will remain strong if we do the same—honouring Prabhupada as the foundation and ensuring all disciples are ultimately connected to him.
Interviewer: Do the disciples of Srila Prabhupada’s godbrothers acknowledge him as the empowered personality predicted in scripture, or do they believe that their own guru holds that position?
Some spiritual leaders, like Madhava Maharaj and Sridhar Maharaj, acknowledge and glorify Srila Prabhupada, while others do not.
Recognising Prabhupada as Founder-Acharya is crucial—not just as one among many saints, but as someone predicted and empowered by the Lord to fulfil a unique mission.
There can be more than one Founder-Acharya if a person exhibits the defining characteristics. For example, Ramanuja and Madhva were Founder-Acharyas of their respective sampradayas. Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati founded the Gaudiya Math, revitalising Lord Chaitanya’s movement, and was also considered a Founder-Acharya. The term Founder-Acharya was first used by Bhaktivinoda Thakur and later by Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati, recognising those who establish and lead powerful spiritual movements based on divine empowerment and scriptural predictions.
Interviewer: Maharaja, earlier you mentioned two Sanskrit terms—Upakaraka and Udaraka—in relation to the characteristics of a Founder-Acharya. You said that disciples of Srila Prabhupada who preach are considered Upakarakas, or benefactors who bring people to Prabhupada. I was wondering, since Srila Prabhupada was also empowered by his spiritual master, could he also be considered an Upakaraka? Or is he uniquely Udaraka—the one who delivers everyone?
ISKCON has only one Founder-Acharya—Srila Prabhupada. If the movement fails, someone new may arise to revive it, but they would not be the Founder-Acharya of ISKCON. Within ISKCON, everything is brought back to Prabhupada.
Interviewer: I’m trying to understand the difference between being a truthful representative of Srila Prabhupada and being specially empowered by Krishna. A follower of Prabhupada may faithfully present his teachings as a transparent medium but may not have the same empowerment to deliver the whole world as Prabhupada did. The Chaitanya Charitamrita states that only someone empowered by Krishna can spread the Bhakti movement widely. So, my question is: what was it about Srila Prabhupada that made Krishna choose him for this unique mission?
Krishna is the ultimate deliverer, and in ISKCON, Srila Prabhupada is the empowered representative. Others serve by bringing people to Prabhupada—his teachings, mood, mission and example.
We cannot create something new; our duty is to faithfully carry out what Prabhupada gave. His teachings are the unchanging foundation, though they may be presented in various ways to reach different people.
Interviewer: When we read Srila Prabhupada’s books, we may form our own understanding, but when we present that to our spiritual master, they may offer a different perspective, which we then accept as correct. So, in practice, we understand Srila Prabhupada’s teachings through the guidance of our spiritual masters. If there’s ever a difference between our own understanding and what our spiritual master says, we naturally follow their guidance. Given that, how do we properly honour Srila Prabhupada as the Founder-Acharya without minimising the role of our current spiritual masters through whom his mercy is reaching us?
Prabhupada’s books are clear, but due to conditioning, not everyone may fully understand them. That’s why guidance from a bona fide spiritual master is essential—he clarifies Prabhupada’s teachings and helps apply them properly.
Still, some devotees can directly gain realisation from Prabhupada’s books, depending on their sincerity and spiritual clarity. The spiritual master isn’t just a helper—he gives authoritative guidance, deepens one’s relationship with Prabhupada, and ensures proper understanding.
Without personal guidance, misinterpretations can arise. A guru must act as a transparent medium to Prabhupada, not overshadow him. Problems occur when spiritual masters fail to connect disciples to Prabhupada. If they present their own teachings as superior or more relevant, they lose spiritual potency.
True empowerment comes from chastity to Prabhupada and fidelity to his mission.
Interviewer: Is there any hope for us to have personal association with Srila Prabhupada, even though we never met him physically?
We should be satisfied with what Srila Prabhupada gave us—his books, mission and instructions. If we’re not, it shows we don’t truly understand their value.
Personal association with Krishna may come, but until then, we must focus on serving Prabhupada through the guidance of our spiritual master. It’s not just about philosophy, but about actively engaging in Prabhupada’s mission.
Interviewer: Is it fair to compare Prahlada Maharaj offering his loyalty and service to Narada Muni—empowered by the Lord to deliver him—to disciples in ISKCON seeing their spiritual master as their absolute authority, even though he is a representative of Srila Prabhupada and empowered through him?
There is only one Founder-Acharya of ISKCON—Srila Prabhupada—and all gurus within the movement are meant to connect their disciples to him. Your spiritual master serves as a transparent via media to Prabhupada, who in turn re-established and adjusted the Krishna consciousness movement based on time, place and circumstance.
Everyone who joins ISKCON has a direct relationship with Prabhupada—whether through diksa or siksa. Authority in ISKCON comes from faithfully following Prabhupada’s teachings, not merely institutional designation or personal association.
Gurus are empowered by their chastity to Srila Prabhupada, and their potency comes from aligning with his mission. Misrepresenting or minimising Prabhupada’s role—such as replacing his books or teachings—breaks this connection and disempowers a guru.
Lastly, spiritual realisation is not limited to Prabhupada’s direct disciples—anyone, even someone in prison reading his books, can become spiritually advanced if they have faith, surrender and a deep connection to Prabhupada’s instructions. True greatness is measured by sincerity and dedication, not title or visibility.
Interviewer: In the case of the prisoner who became spiritually inspired just by reading Srila Prabhupada’s books—without direct association with a devotee—it seems he is receiving Srila Prabhupada’s association through his writings. Since we all also have access to Srila Prabhupada’s books, could one conclude that accepting a living spiritual master may not be strictly necessary, and that Srila Prabhupada’s books alone are sufficient for spiritual progress?
While one can try to follow Srila Prabhupada’s books directly, true progress requires a living spiritual master who guides you personally, helps remove faults (anarthas), and corrects your shortcomings—things books alone can’t do.
A living guru acts as Krishna’s personal presence. Even devotees gaining realisations from reading Prabhupada’s books (like prison inmates) usually have some indirect connection to a disciple of Prabhupada, who feeds them Krishna consciousness and guidance.