Top 10 Astonishing Facts about A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada


 

Abhay Charanaravinda Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada was an Indian Gaudiya Vaishnava guru who founded the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), known commonly as the Hare Krishna movement or Hare Krishnas.

ISKCON’s core beliefs are based on Hindu scriptures, particularly the Bhagavad Gita and the Bhagavata Purana. It is “the largest and, arguably, most important branch” of Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition, which has had adherents in India since the early 16th century and American and European devotees since the early 1900s.

Prabhupada has been described as a charismatic leader by his followers. Below are the top 10 astonishing facts about A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada;

1. Evolution of his name

A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada – Wikipedia

Prabhupada was born Abhay Charan on 1 September 1896 in Calcutta. The name means “one who is fearless at the lotus feet of Krishna.”  

In 1947, the Gaudiya Vaishnava Society gave him the title Bhaktivedanta, (bhakti-vedānta). The title was awarded to him later to denote his devotion (bhakti) and his deep understanding of the conclusion of spiritual knowledge (vedanta).

He received the title “Swami” (which means controller of the senses’) in 1959 when he accepted the traditional order of renunciation.

He became known by the honorific Prabhupāda. The title “Prabhupada” is a term of high honor that means “one who serves at the feet of God.”

2. A rebel for the greater good

Scottish Church College, Kolkata – Wikipedia

In 1916 Prabhupada began studies at Calcutta’s Scottish Churches’ College, where he majored in English, philosophy, and economics.

After completing his fourth year and passing the exams for his degree, Prabhupada refused to accept his diploma. This was in response to Gandhi’s calls to challenge British rule.

Prabhupada became sympathetic to Mahatma Gandhi’s Indian independence movement. With many more joining Gandhi, the Indian Independence Act came into effect on 15th August 1947, which established India and Pakistan as separate countries, no longer under British imperialist rule.

3. An arranged marriage

A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada family – StarUnfloded

During his college years, Prabhupada’s father arranged for his marriage to Radharani Datta, a mataji from a good Vaishnava family.

The two got married in 1919 at the time Prabhupada, 22 years of age, was still a third-year student and Radharani Datta was 11 years old. They had their first child, a son, in 1921 when Datta was 14 years. From this marriage, Abhay had three sons and one daughter.

After forty years of learning and practice, while simultaneously running his own business and supporting his family, Abhay took formal vows of sannyasa or celibate priesthood in 1954.

4. A father’s dream

Bhagavan Vishnu – Wikipedia

Prabhupada was born into a Gauḍīya-Vaiṣṇava family. Gaudiya Vaishnavism, also known as Chaitanya Vaishnavism, is a Vaishnava Hindu religious movement inspired by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in India.

The focus of Gaudiya Vaishnavism is the devotional worship (known as bhakti yoga) of Radha and Krishna, and their many divine incarnations as the supreme forms of God, Svayam Bhagavān.

His father, Gour Mohan De, read from the Caitanya-caritāmṛta and the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam (the principle scriptures of Bengali Vaiṣṇavas), chanted on his jāpā beads, and worshiped the deity of Kṛṣṇa.

Gour wanted his son to become a preacher of the Bhāgavatam and to grow up singing bhajans (religious songs), and playing the mṛdaṅga (a drum used to accompany congregational chanting

5. He lived an ordinary life before his “calling”

Before he became his Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada he lived an ordinary life with his wife and children.

After graduating from the prestigious Scottish Church College, in 1920, his father arranged for Abhay’s job. He approached Dr. Kartick Bose a distinguished surgeon, a medical scholar and a chemical industrialist who was a family friend.

The doctor appointed Abhay as a manager at his Bose’s Laboratory where soaps, drugs and other medicines were manufactured.

6. He operated his own pharmacy

A pharmacy – Flickr

With the desire to serve both his household and join the mission full time, Abhaya decided to start a business. From this business he would be able to obtain money to support his family and carry out his mission.

Thus, in 1923, he moved his family to Allahabad where he set up his new shop, Prayag Pharmacy. He partnered with Dr. Ghosh who became a physician at the pharmacy. The agreement was that Dr. Ghosh would diagnose the patients and receive twent-five percent from the sale of his prescriptions.

The business grew and Abhay was able to travel extensively across Indian.

7. Nothing could stop him from fulfilling his mission

Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada teacher – Wikipedia

Taking the vision of his spiritual master and to fulfill his own inner desire, Prabhupada got a ticket for a journey to New York City and boarded a cargo ship “Jaladuta” in 1965.

During the journey Abhaya got sea sickness and suffered two heart attacks, but this did not deter him, instead it inspired him to write a beautiful poem in Lord’s glorification.

The ship Abhaya was aboard entered the port of New York City on 17 September 1965. On him was only eight dollars, the English translations of the sacred book of Bhagavat Purana and only some articles for personal use.

8. He had great communication skills

Books by A. C. Bhaktivedanta_Swami Prabhupada – Wikimedia Commons

Prabhupada was able to succeed in his mission of spreading the message of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to India and the rest of the world because of his great verbal and written communication skills.

Being well-educated, Abhaya was able to start publications and also translate the work of the Sanskrit work Bhagavata Purana. He distributed these publications to help the foreigners learn and understand his teachings.

He has also been described as a charismatic leader by his followers. Furthermore, he was successful in acquiring followers in many Western countries and India through his teachings.

ISKCON up to date continues to distribute his books.

9. He was a great cook

A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, cooking – Facebook

Swami Prabhupada was a brilliant cook and knew the art of cooking, especially sweet dishes and food items of India.

During his stay in New York’s Lower East Side, he cooked for his new disciples, distributed the parshadam after Bhagawatam katha and also washed the utensils after the meal.

10. The Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple is regarded as the biggest ISKCON temple in our world

The Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple – Flickr

The Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple is located in Utah, United States, just south of Spanish Fork. It was built to meet the needs of the Hindu community in Utah County, as well as bring awareness of their religion and Indian culture to the wider world.

The temple houses a natural amphitheater with the capacity to accommodate thousands. From March through October the temple usually holds entertainments such as art and photography displays, tour guides, cuisine tasting, cultural exhibits on India, a gala pageant of the epic Ramayana, the burning of a 20-foot (6.1 m) high effigy of the demon Ravana, weddings and receptions, guided llama tours, and fireworks.

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