Founder Acharya

His Divine Grace

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

“He was a genuine holy person with enormous integrity and compassion, and he had a powerful impact on those who met him. He never claimed authority and respect for himself; what he said and did was always in the name of Krishna…”
– Dr. Thomas J. Hopkins
Professor of Religious Studies (Emeritus)
Franklin and Marshall College

Our Foundation

The founding inspiration behind our activities here at ISKCON Stoke is His Divine Grace A.C.  Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder-Acarya of the International Society for Krishna  Consciousness (ISKCON), also known as the Hare Krishna movement.

For millennia the teachings and the rich culture of bhakti-yoga, or Krishna Consciousness, had been hidden within the borders of India. Today, millions around the globe express their gratitude to Srila Prabhupada for revealing the timeless wisdom of bhakti to a world.

Boon For The West

Came To The West in 1965

He came to the West in 1965  from India to carry out his spiritual masters order to spread Krishna Consciousness (Bhakti Yoga)  throughout the world.  In just twelve years, despite his advanced age, Srila Prabhupada circled the  globe thirteen times on lecture tours that took him to six continents.

Vedic Scholar & Teacher

He is the world’s foremost  Vedic scholar and teacher, and he is also the current representative of an unbroken chain of fully  self-realised spiritual masters beginning with Lord Krishna himself.

Authoritative Translations

He wrote more than sixty  volumes of authoritative translations, commentaries and summary studies of the philosophical and  religious classics of India.  His masterpiece work can be found in books such as the ‘Bhagavad-Gita As  It Is’, ‘Srimad Bhagavatam’ and many more.

Contributions

Srila Prabhupada’s most significant contributions, perhaps, are his books. He authored over 70 volumes on the Krishna tradition, which are highly respected by scholars for their authority, depth, fidelity to the tradition, and clarity. Several of his works are used as textbooks in numerous college courses. His writings have been translated into 76 languages. His most prominent works include: Bhagavad-gita As It Is, the 30-volume Srimad-Bhagavatam, and the 17-volume Sri Caitanya-caritamrita.
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada passed away on November 14, 1977, in the holy town of Vrindavana, surrounded by his loving disciples who carry on his mission today.