SRILA PRABHUPADA Meaning and
Definition
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Srila Prabhupada, also known as His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, is a renowned spiritual leader and the founder-acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), commonly known as the Hare Krishna movement.
Born Abhay Charan De on September 1, 1896, in Kolkata, India, Srila Prabhupada dedicated his life to spreading the teachings of Lord Krishna, a major deity in Hinduism, across the globe. He is considered a prominent exponent of the Gaudiya Vaishnavism tradition, which emphasizes devotion (bhakti) to Lord Krishna.
Having extensively studied and practiced spiritual disciplines throughout his life, Srila Prabhupada translated and wrote commentaries on Vedic scriptures, including the Bhagavad Gita and the Srimad Bhagavatam. He translated these ancient texts into English, making them accessible and understandable to the Western world.
Srila Prabhupada's mission was to disseminate the philosophy of Krishna consciousness, which advocates devotion to Lord Krishna as the ultimate goal of life. Under his guidance, ISKCON rapidly expanded throughout the 1960s and 1970s, establishing hundreds of temples, ashrams, and educational institutions worldwide.
Srila Prabhupada envisioned a society where people lived harmoniously and peacefully in God-consciousness, promoting love, compassion, and spiritual growth. Under his influence, millions of people have been attracted to the path of devotional service, adopting a lifestyle centered around chanting the Hare Krishna mantra and engaging in acts of service for the pleasure of Lord Krishna.
Today, Srila Prabhupada's teachings continue to inspire millions, and his legacy lives on through the dedicated followers
Etymology of SRILA PRABHUPADA
The term "Srila Prabhupada" is a title used to refer to A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder-acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), also known as the Hare Krishna movement. The word "Srila" is an honorific title in Sanskrit given to highly respected or exalted personalities. It is often used when referring to spiritual teachers or advanced practitioners of bhakti-yoga, the devotional path followed by ISKCON members.
"Prabhupada" is a compound word in Sanskrit, composed of two parts: "prabhu" and "pada". "Prabhu" means "lord" or "master", while "pada" means "feet". Thus, "Prabhupada" can be translated as "the person whose feet are the shelter or possession of the Lord".
