Talk:A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

New external link?

• Srila Prabhupad's translation in Bhagavad Gita As It Is in English poetry form

--59.97.224.9 (talk) 11:01, 20 November 2007 (UTC)Servant of servant of Vaishnavas

Who gave Prabhupada the name "Prabhupada"?

"His later name of Prabhupada, literally meaning "he who has taken the position of the Lord" [7] (i.e one who is representing Krishna) was given later on by Prabhupada's disciples in America after he had been promoting Krishna Consciousness there for some time."

Dear Vaishnavas,

I claim that this statement is incorrect and misleading. I believe Prabhupada himself requested his disciples to address him by the name "Prabhupada." My argument follows:

Prabhupada was known to his American disciples as "Swamiji" from 1965 until he returned from India to America on December 16, 1967, when his disciples first began calling him "Prabhupada." Where did his disciples get this name "Prabhupada?"

None had been to India except for Kirtanananda Swami who stayed with Prabhupada in India about a month, then returned to the U.S. and got in big trouble by misleading the New York devotees. He was banned from the temple and was living with Hayagriva in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, during December 1967. No one would have listened to him at this time.

The only other disciples who had been to India with Prabhupada were Achyutananda and Ramanuja (see letters from Prabhupada to Satswarupa 6th October, 1967, and to Brahmananda 7th December, 1967) and both of them remained in India when Prabhupada returned to America (see letter from Prabhupada to Brahmananda 12th December, 1967).

So Prabhupada's disciples in America just suddenly one day decided to call him "Prabhupada?" Where did they learn this new form of address? From the Gaudiya Math? But only those disciples in India (Achyutananda and Ramanuja) would have had any contact with the Gaudiya Math, and they did not return to America until much later.

So Prabhupada must have taught his disciples to address him by the name "Prabhupada."

This is confirmed by Hayagriva in "Hare Krishna Explosion" pp. 228-229:

Quote:

Brahmananda phones me from New York. "Swamiji's leaving India," he tells me jubilantly. "He's flying to Japan. Then Los Angeles." . . .

We all write Swamiji, telling him how much he is needed. . . . We cry out for Swamiji.

And he appears in a wholly different and wonderful way. As the year wanes and Americans brace for another Christmas holiday, he arrives in San Francisco via Tokyo, December 16 [1967]. He doesn't arrive as the ailing Swamiji, but returns in full strength as "Prabhupada."

"Prabhupada means one who is always found at Krishna's lotus feet," he says. "Rupa Goswami was called Prabhupada because he was always worshipping the lotus feet of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. All the six major Goswamis were called Prabhupada. A spiritual master is usually addressed as Vishnupada, or Gurudeva, or Prabhupada. These signify reversance and respect."

"Oh, you mean Srila Prabhupada!" Brahmananda corrects me on the phone when I enquire about "Swamiji." "Yes, Srila Prabhupada is doing fine."

Unquote

Perhaps Brahmananda can be contacted to confirm this. His remembrance of would be helpful. Hamsadutta may remember also, as may Satsvarupa and Jadurany.

Any comments?

Sincerely Your Servant,

Hrishikesh dasa Henrydoktorski (talk) 03:37, 9 January 2008 (UTC)

I think the answer to this is on the first of the "Following Srila Prabhupada" DVD's. One devotee retells the story, that goes something along the lines of the devotees finding out that the appendix 'ji' is third class. They ask Prabhupada what a first class name for the Spiritual Master is. He gives 3 answers - Gurumaharaja, Gurudeva, and Prabhupada. The devotee picked Prabhupada and it hence forth remained fixed.

Ys

Nitai-nam das Chopper Dave (talk) 03:56, 9 January 2008 (UTC)

That sounds correct to how I have heard it before also. Somewhere Prabhupada makes the point that he actually signs his letters simply as "Bhaktivedanta Swami", and it was his disciples who affectionately decided to use the term. Thus within ISKCON it became Prabhupada's recognised name. Gouranga(UK) (talk) 14:46, 9 January 2008 (UTC)

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Many thanks dear friends for your thoughtful insight. I have heard this story before, but did not know it had been documented.

I just watched the "Following Srila Prabhupada: A Chronological Series" DVD 1 (Nov. 1965-July 1970). During the Boston 1968 section Govinda dasi speaks how Swamiji became Prabhupada.

In so many words (and my words are not exactly what she said, but I will try to get the gist), she explained that she was speaking with Prabhupada; she said definitely it was MAY 1968; and mentioned how Gaurasundara wanted to address her as "Govindaji." Prabhupada said "ji" was a second class form of address and he should simply call her Govinda dasi.

Then Govinda dasi piped in "But we call you 'ji!' We call you 'Swamiji!' What should we call you?"

Prabhupada didn't want to say anything, but Govinda dasi pressed him: "What should we call you?"

Prabhupada finally said, "You could call me 'Gurudeva, Gurumaharaja or Prabhupada."

Govinda dasi said, "That's three names. Which is the best?"

Prabhupada replied, "Prabhupada." From then on Govinda dasi made sure everyone called him Prabhupada instead of Swamiji.

Very nice story; well spoken.

However, the date is five months later than Hayagriva's account, which puts it at December 1967. I know Hayagriva kept a diary, which lends credence to his account. Does anyone have an explanation for this?

In any case, I think the above-mentioned text from the article should be revised to make it more neutral, something like:

At first his disciples called him "Swamiji," but later--probably late in 1968 or early in 1968--they began using the more respectful form of address: "Prabhupada" (literally meaning "he who has taken the position of the Lord," [7] i.e one who is representing Krishna).

Any more thoughts?

Sincerely Your Servant,

Hrishikesh dasa

Henrydoktorski (talk) 21:21, 9 January 2008 (UTC)

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Thankyou for clarifying the details on this one. I've amended the article text in-line with your suggestion above, but just swapped it around to fit in with the paragraph. Does this read okay from your view? It's definitely more accurate than it was before. Best wishes, Gouranga(UK) (talk) 10:20, 10 January 2008 (UTC) :-)

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Yes, I agree the change is better. A small detail, but more accurate. I am grateful for this discussion and your input. Thank you, prabhu. Hrishikesh Henrydoktorski (talk) 14:11, 10 January 2008 (UTC)

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Check this out, prabhus! Just watched more from "Following Srila Prabhupada: A Chronological Series" DVD 1 (Nov. 1965-July 1970). During the section titled "April 1969, New York City, Temple at 61 2nd Ave," TWO devotees interviewed referred to Prabhupada as "Swamiji." This suggests that the transfer from the name "Swamiji" to "Prabhupada" was not immediate as implied by Hayagriva and Govinda dasi.

Hrishikesh Henrydoktorski (talk) 21:46, 15 January 2008 (UTC)

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As with any name of the acarya Prabhupada is the name his followers address him. The relevant passage in the commentaries of the first canto was there indicating that this is the correct name to address the guru. As in many cases he had no interest in being call anything special and was accepting the name Swamiji. This name is a common name and is used throughout the beggining of his carrier in USA as depicted in Srila Prabhupada Lilamrita. It is however the name most academics[http://books.google.com/books?id=F-EuD3M2QYoC&pg=PA74&dq=Swami+Prabhupada&sig=JjQlZ-pT8ND0Gog0_PDJqFWVJy4 Krishna Consciousness in the West - Page 74 by David G. Bromley, Larry D. Shinn - Religion - 1989] would use [http://books.google.ie/books?id=l4cE-nzXLx8C&pg=PA275&dq=Swami+Prabhupada&sig=fNyEbFFjArTEAsIcDzt5Mu-AqUE The Hare Krishna Movement: Forty Years of Chant and Change - Page 275 by Graham Dwyer, Richard J. Cole - Religion - 2007] to refer to A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and he himself insisted that this full name to used on all his book covers. The Bhagavat comments passage reads Bhag. 1.115: "The pure devotees whose only business is serving are honored by the names PrabhupAda and ViNUupAda, which indicate such devotees to be representatives of the lotus feet of the Lord." Its earlier then any topics discussed is verifiable evidence as far as wiki is concerned. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Wikidas (talk • contribs) 18:33, 15 March 2008 (UTC)

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Update to this topic: Respected prabhus, It appears that some disciples began addressing A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami as "Prabhupada" as early as December 1967, as explained by Hayagriva in "Hare Krishna Explosion," but the practice was not universally adopted throughout ISKCON until April 1969.

When Swamiji returned from India on December 14, 1967, some of his disciples began calling him “Prabhupada.” Hayagriva explained: “We cry out for Swamiji. And he appears in a wholly different and wonderful way. As the year wanes and Americans brace for another Christmas holiday, he arrives in San Francisco via Tokyo, December 16. He doesn’t arrive as the ailing Swamiji, but returns in full strength as “Prabhupada.”

Prabhupada indicated why his disciples should use the new form of address: “Prabhupada means one who is always found at Krishna’s lotus feet. Rupa Goswami was called Prabhupada because he was always worshipping the lotus feet of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. All the six major Goswamis were called Prabhupada. A spiritual master is usually addressed as Vishnupada, or Gurudev, or Prabhupada. These signify reverence and respect.”

In Srimad-Bhagavatam Prabhupada explained: “The pure devotees whose only business is serving are honored by the names Prabhupada and Vishnupada, which indicate such devotees to be representatives of the lotus feet of the Lord.”

“Sometimes the spiritual master is addressed as Prabhupada. Prabhu means ‘the Supreme Personality of Godhead,’ and pada means ‘post.’ According to Vaishnava philosophy, the spiritual master occupies the post of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, or in other words he is the bona fide representative of the Supreme Lord.”

Hayagriva described how Brahmananda once reminded him to use the new form of address: “‘Oh, you mean Srila Prabhupada!’ Brahmananda corrects me on the phone when I enquire about ‘Swamiji.’ ‘Yes, Srila Prabhupada is doing fine. I hear he looks very well and is already shouting at the impersonalists. He arrived in San Francisco [from India] this morning.’”

Swamiji becomes widely known as Prabhupada.

Although some devotees, such as Brahmananda, addressed their spiritual master—beginning in December 1967—by the respectful name of “Prabhupada,” the practice had not widely caught on. Most disciples, including Hayagriva, still referred to him as “Swamiji” or “Bhaktivedanta Swami,” as attested by his articles in the New Vrindaban Newsletter and Back to Godhead.

Govinda Devi Dasi explained how Swamiji’s disciples received a great impetus to begin addressing their guru as “Prabhupada” when he explained: “‘Ji’ is a third-class form of address.”

All along everyone knows him as “Swamiji.” This is up until May 1968. And so [my husband] Gaurasundar decided he wanted to call me “Govindaji,” and he asked Prabhupada [about it] and Prabhupada said: “No. Actually ‘ji’ is a third-class form of address. It’s better not to call her ‘Govindaji.’”

So I piped up—I was sitting right in front of him—I said, “Well, if it is a third-class form of address, why are we calling you ‘ji?’ Why are we calling you ‘Swamiji?’” And he said, “Eh, it’s not very important.” And I said, “Oh, no. It’s very important. If it’s a third-class form of address, then we don’t want to call you that. We want to call you the most first-class form of address. So tell us what would be a good name for us to call you by.”

And he was very humble, very reluctant. But I pressed him, “I… like… you’ve gotta change this.” And he [finally] said, “You can call me ‘Gurudev,’ ‘Gurumaharaj,’ or ‘Prabhupada.’” So I said, “Well, that’s three. We need one.” And so I said, “Well, which one is the best?” and he answered: “Srila Prabhupada is nice. That is the best.”

So I said, “From today, you will be called ‘Srila Prabhupada!’” and so we told all the devotees. . . . We gradually started calling him ‘Srila Prabhupada’ from that time.

The April 18, 1969 issue of Back to Godhead announced the news of Swamiji’s new form of address with a feature article titled: “Prabhupada.”

The word Prabhupada is a term of the utmost reverence in Vedic religious circles, and it signifies a great saint even among saints. The word actually has two meanings: first, one at whose feet (Pada) there are many Prabhus (a term meaning “master,” which the disciples of a Guru use in addressing each other). The second meaning is one who is always found at the Lotus Feet of Krishna (the Supreme Master).

In the line of disciplic succession through which Krishna Consciousness is conveyed to mankind, there have been a number of figures of such spiritual importance as to be called Prabhupada:

Srila Rupa Goswami Prabhupada executed the will of his Master, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, and therefore he and his associate Goswamis are called Prabhupada. Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Goswami Thakur executed the will of Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur, and therefore he is also addressed as Prabhupada. Our Spiritual Master, Om Vishnupad 108 Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj has, in the same way, executed the will of Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Goswami Prabhupada in carrying the message of love of Krishna to the Western world, and therefore we American and European humble servants of His Divine Grace, from all the different centers of the Sankirtan Movement, have followed in the footsteps of Srila Rupa Goswami Prabhupada, and prefer to address His Grace our Spiritual Master as Prabhupada, and he has kindly said “Yes.”

Henrydoktorski (talk) 21:39, 6 July 2008 (UTC)

Citation

In the following statement from the article :

A number of memorial samadhis or shrines to Prabhupada were constructed by members of ISKCON in his remembrance.

I really don't see the benefit in adding this second statement with a citation to the Prabhupada Lilamrita:

which is also reflected in ISKCON writers biographies of Prabhupada.

If a citation is required I think it would be much more useful to find one which describes something directly in relevance to the memorials constructed for Prabhupada. The Lilamrita, for example (which was cited) details the events within Prabhupada's lifetime from a devotional perspective, and doesn't really go into details concerning where samadhi's and shrines have been set up in the years following 1977. I don't see it as being an appropriate source of information in this regard. Thus I have removed the comment and reference. Regards, Gouranga(UK) (talk) 20:12, 18 March 2008 (UTC)

The article

Its is stabilised. I think with a bit of effort it can move towards GA, I will work on the references. Wikidās-ॐ 08:15, 28 May 2008 (UTC)

Since the article stabilised and I have added proper references and provided a NPOVs references, I suggest final edits by the editors who were contributing to the article. Following the general proofing and copyedit, I would suggest nominating it towards GA (Good Article). Wikidās-ॐ 14:19, 31 May 2008 (UTC)

Redtiger, big thanks for bringing the article to its current state and removing all duplicate wikilinks. As it stands it has been listed in the nominated section of GA process. Wikidās-ॐ 10:05, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

I don't think it's too far away from passing GA status. --Shruti14 ^{t c s} 18:25, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

With all references working and neutral views included in the lead the article should really pass. I brought citations to the standard and many more illustrations give article the value. It is on the list of nominations for GA, so any editor who did not take part in editing it can promote it to GA or give a GA review. Wikidās ॐ 19:09, 14 June 2008 (UTC)

GA Review

This review is transcluded from Talk:A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada/GA1. The edit link for this section can be used to add comments to the review.

Comments

• I think the article is not too far from achieving GA status, although a few improvements would help. --Shruti14 ^{t c s} 02:43, 9 June 2008 (UTC)

Comments by Kensplanet

A great article. But since this is a crucial topic, let us analyze this article against the GA criteria.

• Lead
• Lead is too. lenghty.......Too. much data which should not be present in the Lead is present.

A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (Sanskrit: अभयचरणारविन्द भक्तिवेदान्त स्वामीप्रभुपाद, abhaya-caraṇāravinda bhakti-vedānta svāmī prabhupāda, Bengali: অভযছরণারবিন্ড ভক্টিবএডান্ট স্বামীপ্রভুপড) (September 1, 1896–November 14, 1977), was the founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, a movement to propagate Gaudiya Vaishnavism of Hinduism, not only in India, but also throughout the whole world, a devotional yoga tradition that is popularly known as the "Hare Krishna". Born as Abhay Charan De, in Calcutta, he was educated at the prestigious local Scottish Churches College. Before adopting the life of a pious renunciate, vanaprastha, in 1950, he was married with children and owned a small pharmaceutical business. He later took a vow of renunciation, sannyasa, in 1959 and started writing commentaries on Vaishnava scriptures.

In his later years, as a traveling Vaishnava sadhu, he became an influential communicator of Gaudiya Vaishnava theology to India and specifically to the West through his leadership of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) [move ISKCON to first para, 3rd line, then you need not use International Society for Krishna Consciousness again and again], founded in 1966. As the founder of ISKCON, he has "emerged as a major figure of the Western counterculture, initiating thousands of young Americans." [this sentence is not required, then it appears as too. much of ISKCON details are incorporated] Despite attacks from the anticult groups, he received a favorable welcome from many religious scholars, such as J. Stillson Judah, Harvey Cox, Larry Shinn and Thomas Hopkins, who praised Prabhupada's translations and defended the group against distorted media images and misinterpretations. In respect to his achievements, religious leaders from other Gaudiya Vaishnava movements have also given him the credit.

He has been described as a charismatic leader, in the sense used by the sociologist Max Weber, as he was successful in acquiring followers in the United States, Europe, India and elsewhere. After his death in 1977 his ISKCON, an authentic form of Hindu Krishnaism based on Bhagavata Purana, [avoid mentioning details again and again on ISKCON] continues to grow, and is respected in India, but there have been many squabbles about leadership among the followers. [This is a squabble within ISKCoN, not to be mentioned in the Lead. as this is not an article on ISKCON] Prabhupada is sometimes criticised by Neo-Vedantic relativistic philosophers, mainly due to uncompromising and 'unkind remarks' against non-Vaishnava systems, particularly 'the mayavadis'. This may be taken in the perspective of general underlying hostility of Neo-Vedantists towards fundamental truth of bhakti, devotion, and orthodox Vedanta system presented by Prabhupada being in conflict with heterodox views of mayavadis. [These details need not be mentioned] As such his Hare Krishna movement is accepted by the academics as "the most genuinely Hindu of all the many Indian movements in the West".

• The basic problem in the Lead is too. much of unnecessary details are incorporated. Too. much of ISKCON details. There is no mention of his books, death, Monument in the Lead. Atleast a sentence from each of these sections will do. Copyedits will surely improve the article.

• Biography

• Early life

Born 1st September 1896, next day after, Janmastami, one of Hindu most important holidays [Why don't you just cut it out at Janmastami since it is wikilinked], in a humble house[Humble is not required at all] in the Tollygunge suburb of Calcutta, he was named Abhay Charan, "one who is fearless, having taken shelter at Lord Krishna's lotus feet." Since he was born on the day of Nandotsava (day of legendary Krishna's father, Nanda, traditional festival in honor of Krishna's birth) [Agin too. much of details, prefer only one] he was also called Nandulal. His parents names were, Sriman Gour Mohan De and Srimate Rajani De, [were] devout Vaishnavas. In accordance with Bengali tradition, his mother had gone to the home of her parents for the delivery, and only a few days later, Abhay returned with parents to his home at 151 Harrison Road in Calcutta, where he was brought up and educated.

He received European lead education in a well reputed amongst the Bengalis Scottish Churches College, Calcutta, as many Vaishnava families sent their sons there. [Wouldn't He received European lead education in Scottish Churches College, Calcutta, a reputed college amongst the Bengalis, as many Vaishnava families sent their sons there.] The professors, most of whom were Europeans, were known as sober, moral men, and its believed[If you are not sure whether the students received good education, better not post it here] the students received a good education. The college was located in north Calcutta, not far from Harrison Road where Abhay's family lived.[Details already given in 1st para] During his years in the college, Prabhupada was a member of the English Society as well as that of the Sanskrit Society, and it has been suggested that his education gave a foundation for his future leadership.[There should be no doubt] He graduated in 1920 with majors in English, philosophy and economics.

• Religious carrier

In 1922, when Prabhupada first met his spiritual master, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, Bhaktisiddhanta [he] requested that Prabhupada spread the message of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in the English language. Later in 1932 Prabhupada became a formally initiated disciple of Bhaktisiddhanta and in 1944 started the publication of Back to Godhead, an English language fortnightly, for which he acted as publisher, editor, copy editor and distributor. From his front room at Sita Kanta Banerjee, Calcutta, he conceived, wrote, edited, and typed the manuscript for the magazine. He himself designed a logo, a long rectangle across the top of the page. In the upper left-hand corner was a figure of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, effulgent with rays of light like rays from the sun [Details trivial] and first editions greeted his readers by the motto: "Godhead is Light, Nescience is darkness".[26] In his fist magazine he wrote: “ Under the circumstances since 1936 up to now, I was simply speculating whether I shall venture this difficult task and that without any means and capacity; but as none have discouraged me, I have now taken courage to take up the work. ”

— A.C.Bhakivedanta Swami, Back to Godhead magazine(Vol.1, 1-4, 1944)[26]

In 1947, the Gaudiya Vaishnava Society recognised Prabhupada's scholarship with the title Bhaktivedanta, (bhakti-vedānta) meaning "one who has realised that devotional service to the Supreme Lord is the end of all knowledge" (with word Bhakti, indicating devotion and Vedanta indicating conclusive knowledge).[overflow of details] His later well known name is Prabhupada. It is a Sanskrit title ( prabhupāda), literally meaning "he who has taken the position of the Lord" where prabhudenotes "Lord", and pāda means "position" that is also explained to mean "at whose feet masters sit". This name was used as a respectful form of address by his disciples from late 1967 early 1968 onwards. Previous to this, as with his early disciples, followers used to call him "Swamiji". [Throughout till now, you have used Prabhupada and you are giving the explanation now. Moreover, so much details on his name here would mean unnecessary details. Install a seperate section on Name and give all explanation there.]

From 1950 onwards, Prabhupada lived at the medieval temple in the holy town of Vrindavan, where he began his commentary and translation work of the Sanskrit work Bhagavata Purana. Of all notable Vrindavana's temples, the Radha-Damodara mandir had at the time the largest collection of various copies of the original writings of the Six Gosvamis and their followers - more than two thousand separate manuscripts, many of them three hundred, some even four hundred years old. [Cannot understand how are the Six Gosvamis related with his carrier His guru in the sampradaya, tradition, of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati had always encouraged Prabhupada, "If you ever get money, print books", referring to the need of literary presentation of the Vaishnava culture.

• Renunciation

Keshavaji Gaudiya Matha was the place where Prabhupada used to live, he had written and studied in the library of this building, here he edited the Gauḍīya Patrikā magazine and this is the place where he donated the murti of Lord Chaitanya who[which] stands on the altar beside[s] the Deities of Radha Krishna (named Śrī Śrī Rādhā Vinodavihārījī).[Suggestion is try to shorten sentences as much as possible] During his visit in September 1959 he entered the doors of this matha[Gaudiya Matha wikilink repeated] dressed in white, as Abhay Babu, but would be leaving dressed in saffron, a swami. In this matha, in Mathura Vrindavana, Prabhupada took Vaishnava renunciate vows,sannyasa, from his friend and godbrother Bhakti Prajnana Keshava Maharaja , and following this he singlehandedly published the first three volumes covering seventeen chapters of the first book of Bhagavata Purana, filling three volumes of four hundred pages each with a detailed commentary. Introduction to the first volume was a biographical sketch of Chaitanya Mahāprabhu.[You have mentioned details of book here when there is a section for Books below] He then left India, obtaining free passage on a freight ship called the Jaladuta, with the aim and a hope of fulfilling his spiritual master's instruction to spread the message of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu around the world. In his possession were a suitcase, an umbrella, a supply of dry cereal, about eight dollars worth of Indian currency, and several boxes of books.

• Mission to the West

Prabhupada sailed to USA in 1965. His trip to the United States was not sponsored by any religious organisation, nor was he met upon arrival by a group of loyal followers. As he neared his destination on the ship, the Indian freighter Jaladuta, the enormity of his intended task weighed on him.[Personal opinion] On September 13 he wrote in his diary, "Today I have disclosed my mind to my companion, Lord Sri Krishna." On this occasion and on the number of other, Prabhupada, called on Krishna for help in his native Bengali. Examining these compositions, academics regard them as "intimate records of his prayerful preparation for what lay ahead" and a view on "how Bhaktivedanta Swami understood his own identity and mission."[How is this related] “ I do not know why You have brought me here. Now You can do whatever You like with me. But I guess You have some business here, otherwise why would You bring me to this terrible place? How will I make them understand this message of Krishna consciousness? I am very unfortunate, unqualified and most fallen. Therefore I am seeking Your benediction so that I can convince them, for I am powerless to do so on my own. ”

By journeying to America, he was attempting to fulfill the wish of his guru, possible only by the grace of "his dear Lord Krishna".[Stop mentioning again and again about his mission] It is in July 1966 "global missionary Vaishnavism" was brought to the West by Prabhupada, "the soul agent", founding the International Society for Krishna Consciousness in New York City. Prabhupada spent much of the last decade of his life setting up the institution of ISKCON. Since he was the Society's leader, his personality and management were responsible for much of ISKCON's growth and the reach of his mission.

In the twelve years from his arrival in New York until his final days he:

• circled the globe fourteen times on lecture tours that took him to six continents[17]
• introduced Vedic gurukul education to a Western audience
• directed the founding of the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, which claims to be the world's largest publisher of ancient and classical Vaishnava religious texts

• founded the religious colony New Vrindavan in West Virginia,
• authored more then eighty books (with many available online) on Vedantic philosophy, religion, literature and culture (including four published originally in Bengali)

• introduced international celebrations in the capitals of the world like that of Jagannatha processions
• watched ISKCON grow to a confederation of more than 108 temples, various institutes and farm communities[Please write this in the normal paragraph form only and not in Bullets]

Through his mission, Prabhupada followed and communicated the teachings of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and introduced bhakti yoga to an international audience. Within Gaudiya Vaishnavism this was viewed as the fulfillment of a long time mission to introduce Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's teachings to the world.

In his discussion with a historian Arnold J. Toynbee in London, Prabhupada is quoted as saying: "I have started this Krishna Conscious Movement among the Indians and Americans and for the next ten thousand years it will increase."

• Books and Publishing

It is believed that Prabhupada's most significant contribution, are his books. Within the final twenty years of his life Prabhupada translated over sixty volumes of classic Vedic scriptures (such as the Bhagavad Gita and the Srimad Bhagavatam) into the English language. For their authority, depth, and clarity, his books have won praise from professors at colleges and universities like Harvard, Oxford, Cornell, Columbia, Syracuse, Oberlin, and Edinburgh, and his Bhagavad-Gītā As It Is was published by Macmillan Publishers, in 1968 and unabridged edition in 1972, and is now available in over sixty languages around the world and some other books by Prabhupada are available in over eighty different languages.

The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust was established in 1972 to publish his works, it has also published massively researched multivolume biography, Srila Prabhupada-lilamrta, that in opinion of Larry Shinn will "certainly be one of the most complete records of the life and work of any modern religious figure". Prabhupada reminded his devotees before his death, he would live forever in his books. He would remain present for them as spiritual master, guru by these means. Prabhupada had instilled in his followers an understanding of the importance of writing and publishing not only with regard to his works, but also their own initiatives.[Personal opinion] His early disciples felt Prabhupada had given them Back To Godhead for their own writings from the very start.

• Views on other religious traditions

Prabhupada considered Moses, Jesus, and Mohamed to be empowered representatives of God, describing them within his writings as pioneers of the same essential message of dedication to God with love and devotion. “ "Actually, it doesn't matter – Krishna or Christ – the name is the same. The main point is to follow the injunctions of the Vedic scriptures that recommend chanting the name of God in this age." ”

Other typical expression presents a different perspective, where Prabhupada would point out that "today I may be a Hindu, but tomorrow I may become a Christian or Muslim. In this way faiths can be changed, but dharma" is a natural sequence, a natural occupation or a connection and it can not be changed, because it is permanent, according to him. While ISKCON theology of personal god is close to Christian theology, both personal and monotheistic, being a preacher of bhakti and a missionary he sometimes would add, that "already many Christians have tasted the nectar of divine love of the holy name and are dancing with karatalas (hand-cymbals) and mridangas (drums)." Prabhupada's approach to modern knowledge is also seen in sectarian Orthodox Judaism, where the skills and technical knowledge of modernity are encouraged, but the values rejected. For example, while higher education in engineering or accounting is permitted, the liberal and fine arts are dismissed as "useless" and "immoral". Some of his representations are believed to affect women adversely and are male-centred, others are tender and celebratory. Prabhupada himself teaches a dualism of body and soul and that of the genders.[Which religion are you talking about here] Similar to many traditional religions he considers sexuality and spirituality as conflicting opposites. However among some liberal male followers there is a positive recognition of Prabhupada's own example in applying the spirit of the law according to time, place, person and circumstance, rather than literal tracing of the tradition.[Which religion is this?]

In line with traditional Vaishnava theology, Prabhupada was critical of the monist philosophies of Hinduism representing the Gaudiya Vaishnava devotional point of view and often calling the Neo Vendanta adherents of monism with 'unkind words'. In the view of some Gaudiya-Vaishnava philosophy he followed is neither fully dualistic or monist (Achintya Bheda Abheda), as a devotional path Gaudiya Vaishnavism has much more in common with the Dvaita, as opposed to the Advaita schools. It can be specifically noted that Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, mentions in Indian Philosophy that N

A prominent Gaudiya Vaishnava figure, Shrivatsa Goswami, who as a young man had met Prabhupada in 1972, affirmed the significance of book publishing and distribution in spreading the message of Chaitanya in an interview with Steven Gelberg: “ Making these Vaisnava texts available is one of Srila Prabhupada's greatest contributions. Apart from the masses, his books have also reached well into academic circles and have spurred academic interest in the Chaitanya tradition ... The significance of making these texts available is not merely academic or cultural; it is spiritual. ”[You are basically talking about Hinduism here. Then why do you mention other religions in the section.]

• [What about Views of other religions on Prabhupada. You have mentioned what he says on other religions, but you have not mentioned what other religions like Christianity, Islam, Jainism think about Praphupada. For NPOV purposes, you have to mention something.]

• Within India

Initially, Srila Prabhupada began his public preaching mission in India. He founded the League of Devotees in Jhansi in 1953.

Following the establishment of temples and centres in the United States and Europe, Prabhupada returned to India in 1971, holding many public programs which were well attended. From 1971 onwards, the movement became increasingly popular and spread throughout the country, Prabhupada was particularly eager to see the progress at "the impressive temple project in" Mumbai which he and his disciples had fought very hard to establish, with large temples in Mayapur and Vrindavan to follow in mid 1970s.

In 1996, the Government of India recognized Prabhupada's accomplishments by issuing a commemorative stamp in his honor as a part of Prabhupada Centennial celebrations.

Speaking at the inauguration of ISKCON's cultural center in New Delhi in 1998, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, then India's prime minister, said: “ If the Bhagavad Gita, the holy text of the Hindu traditions, is printed in millions of copies and scores of languages and distributed in all nooks and corners of the world, the credit for this great sacred service goes chiefly to ISKCON. For this accomplishment alone, Indians should be eternally grateful to the devoted spiritual army of Swami Prabhupada, the founder of the Hare Krishna movement, and to his followers. . .

The arrival of Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in the United States in 1965 and the particular popularity his movement gained in a very short span of twelve years must be regarded as one of the greatest spiritual events of the century. ”

— Atal Bihari Vajpayee - April 1998

[What about details of ISKCON in India? Like how many are there, where all they are]

[What about institutions (other than ISKCON) outside India....Where do you put it. No details on it.]

• MONUMENTS
• Too. may Images.

• Well, I think this article can easily attain GA status. Well a few copyedits will do. And some more details need to be incorporated. But right now, its not possible for me to list it as a GA due to these issues. Anyway, Good Luck, and I hope to see this article very soon at GAN. Thankyou,--->>>> Kensplanet^Talk_E-mail^{Contributions}

Appearance/Disappearance

Vaisnava Hindus tend to use the word "appearance" as a synonym for "birthday," and "dissappearance" as a synonym for "death."

The reason I mention this is because I've seen this article modified from time to time in a way that makes it look like the "disappearance" of Srila Prabhupada was a mystery, as if he just wandered off into the jungle and never came back.

I'm sure this is just confusion over vernacular. 172.167.228.92 (talk) 14:36, 29 June 2008 (UTC)

Websites of Disciples of A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

"famous writer and poet"

"famous for walking across Canada"

"Yale-educated monk famous for his books"

"famous for traveling around the world"

C'mon, fellas! Who are we trying to fool here? At least Sankarshan and Swami B.V. Tripurari's Wikipedia editors appear to have a better grasp on reality and show their self-discipline by refusing to use the word. Famous, my foot! Famous to whom? a handful of ISKCON advocates & disciples? I haven't even heard of some of these guys, and I was in ISKCON for a good many years. Make anyone famous by adding the adjective "famous" before their name! Wishful thinking, I think. :) Henrydoktorski (talk) 01:47, 6 July 2008 (UTC)

You have been out since... more then 20 years ago... you are famous! ;-) Wikidās ॐ 02:49, 6 July 2008 (UTC)

Thanks for your light-hearted spirit, Wikidās ॐ !!! P.S. Yes, it was 20 years ago NV officially left ISKCON. Henrydoktorski (talk) 17:24, 6 July 2008 (UTC)

Grammar Editing for GA

I have made a couple small edits already in Views on Other Religions. I place a comma and added "the" to read as follows..."In the view of some, the Gaudiya-Vaishnava philosophy he followed", and I have inserted "this is know as" to suffix Achintya Bheda Abheda. In the next sentence I also added a comma between path and Gaudiya Vaishnavism. That is all. I hope these edits will be helpful. I would also propose to consolidate the opening sentence as follows... "Abhay Charanaravinda Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (Sanskrit: अभयचरणारविन्द भक्तिवेदान्त स्वामीप्रभुपाद, abhaya-caraṇāravinda bhakti-vedānta svāmī prabhupāda, Bangla: অভয়চরনাবিন্দ ভক্তিবেদান্ত স্বামীপ্রভুপাদ) (September 1, 1896–November 14, 1977) was the founder-acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness[1], commonly known as the "Hare Krishna" movement[3]. His mission is to propagate Gaudiya Vaishnavism of Hinduism not only in India but also throughout the world.[2]"