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Urmila Devi Dasi: Recognising Srila Prabhupada as the Founder-Acarya of ISKCON has profoundly shaped the movement. While acknowledging him as founder is widely accepted, his role as acarya—an ongoing guide, not merely a historical figure—remains more challenging. Staying true to ISKCON’s mission requires adherence to its core principles, while adjusting secondary details according to time, place, and circumstance. Prabhupada himself stated that such adaptation is essential.

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.