Srila Prabhupada – our Founder-Acharya

Course Notes

Prepared for Srila Prabhupada – our Founder Acharya Seminar

By ISKCON Kerala Education Committee (KEC)

A Sastric Educational Initiative of ISKCON KMC (Kerala Management Council)

nama om visnupadaya krishna-presthaya bhu-tale

srimate bhaktivedanta-svamin iti namine

namaste sarasvate deve gaura-vani-pracarine

nirvisesa sunyavadi pascatya-desa-tarine

This Course Material is made from two sources: (1) Srila Prabhupada – The Founder Acharya of ISKCON - a
GBC Foundational document (2) Srila Prabhupada our Founder Acharya – a unique Interactive Seminar by His
Grace Suresvara dasa Vanachari, Hawaii, USA.

The Course is complete in 15 Lessons divided into 3 sections: (1) Sambandha - knowledge about Srila Prabhupada
and his relationship with us as the Founder Acharya of our Society (2) Abhidheya - matters about why and how
he carefully formed and protected his ISKCON Society and how we should find our mission within his greater
mission (3) Prayojana – how each of us can attain our life’s ultimate goal of pleasing Lord Sri Krishna by keeping
Srila Prabhupada as the center of ISKCON as well as the center of our individual lives.

Special Note: These Course Notes are intended only for the participants of “Srila Prabhupada – our Founder Acharya”
course. Please DO NOT share this with non-participants either electronically or by photocopy as it undermines the
value of the Course. Doing so may get you bad karma!

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 Section 1: Sambandha

This section defines the aims, needs and norms of this course, broadly
describes Guru tattva, defines the term Founder-Acharya and explains how
Srila Prabhupada qualifies to be called the Founder-acharya of ISKCON

Lesson 1: Introduction

1. Aims of the full Course

 Sambandha: To deepen our understanding of Srila

Prabhupada as the Founder-acharya
 Abhidheya: To learn the details of how Srila Prabhupada
crafted his ISKCON society in order to obtain valuable
lessons on how to serve ISKCON in a favourable way
 Prayojana: To encourage ourselves and others to individually develop our unique
foundational relationship with him

2. Need of this Course

Do you really need this course for yourself? If yes, write 3 personal reasons.

3. Norms

 We will attend the whole seminar and seat ourselves before the start of each session.
 We will refrain from side conversations, using mobile phones, and otherwise
communicating electronically during the sessions.
 We will refrain from borrowing strength from our status or position.
 We will value all contributions whether or not we agree with them.
 We will appreciate others’ strengths and be sensitive to their weaknesses.
 We will confront issues and behaviour, not people.
 We will be too busy glorifying Srila Prabhupada to criticize anyone else.
 We will not be so busy taking notes that we miss half the seminar.
 We will each accept full responsibility for achieving our desired learning outcomes.

Lesson 2: Guru Tattva

1. What is a Guru?

 Popularly: Music guru, Management guru, Sports guru

 From nature: 24 gurus of the Avadhuta (SB 11.7.33 onwards)
 Literally: Heavy with knowledge (ഗുരുത ാകർഷണം)
 Sastrically: srotriyam brahma nistham (srotriyam – one who has heard from the disciplic
succession; brahma-nistham – one who is fixed in the service of the Absolute truth). Also refer
BG 4.34
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2. Why do we need a Guru?

 Guiding one to fulfil the purpose of life amid perplexities

 By nature’s own way the complete system of material activities is a source of perplexity for
everyone. In every step there is perplexity, and therefore it behooves one to approach a
bona fide spiritual master who can give one proper guidance for executing the purpose of
life (BG 2.7 purport)
 Om ajnana timirandhasya verse
 Question: Do you get distracted in your spiritual lives? Do you need guidance to get back
on track? How often do you need such guidance and support? Write your thoughts.

3. How is the Guru one?

 Disciplic succession : His message is God’s message

 The guru is one because he comes in disciplic succession. What Vyasadeva and Krishna
taught 5000 years ago is also being taught now. There is no difference between the two
instructions. Although hundreds and thousands of acaryas have come and gone, the
message is one (SSR - Choosing a Spiritual Master)

4. How is the Guru different?

 Commitment: Vartma (patha) pradarsaka, Siksha, Diksha gurus

 Role: “The initiating and instructing spiritual masters are equal and identical
manifestations of Krishna, although they have different dealings” (CC Adi 1.34 purport)
 Qualification: “A person who is liberated Acharya and guru cannot commit any mistake,
but there are persons who are less qualified or not liberated, but still can act as guru and
acharya by strictly following the disciplic succession” (letter to Janardana 26 April 1968)

5. One diksha guru, many siksha gurus

 Shyamananda Pandit had Hridaya Chaitanya as diksha guru. Narottam das Thakur had
Lokanath Goswami, and Srinivasa Acharya had Gopal Bhatta Goswami as diksha guru.
But all three of them took siksha mainly from Srila Jiva Goswami.
 Question: Think about ISKCON scenario. How many diksha gurus can we have? How
many siksha gurus? Why?

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 Lesson 3: Founder-acharya

1. Founder-acharyas vs Eternal Ancient teachers

 The English-Sanskrit cognate word “Founder-acharya” first appeared in 1933 in the book
Sree Krishna Chaitanya by Prof. Nishikant Sanyal (Bhakti Sudhakara Narayana dasa), a
learned disciple of HDG Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura Prabhupada
 “The systems of Sree Vishnuswami, Sree Nimbaditya, Sree Ramanuja and Sree Madhva…
are connected with the ancient times by their recognition of the ulterior authority of the
eternal ancient teachers, viz. Lakshmi, Brahma, Rudra and the four Sanas (chatuhsanah)
respectively. The four Founder-Acharyas of the Iron Age professed to preach the views of
those original teachers of the religion"

Sampradaya Eternal Ancient Teacher Founder-Acharya

Brahma Lord Brahma Madhva
Sri Lakshmi devi Ramanuja
Rudra Lord Siva Vishnu Swami
Kumara Four Kumaras Nimbarka

 Question: Why is it that Lakshmidevi is not the Founder-Acharya of the Sri Sampradaya
although She was the first person to receive knowledge directly from Lord Narayana?
Similarly why is Madhvacharya considered the Founder-acharya of the Brahma-Madhva
sampradaya and not Lord Brahma?

 Question: Why does Prof.Nishikant Sanyal address Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati

Thakura as the Founder-Acharya of the Gaudiya Mission?

2. Characteristics of Founder-acharya

 Prapannamrita Tapana (Sri Vaishnava scripture)

 Uddharika (savior of everyone) - assisted by upakarika, masters who succeed him
to execute his mission.
 Dinabhaya – removes the fear of all fallen souls
 Maha-grantha – writes great books purporting Vaishnava songs and sastras

 Harinama Chintamani (Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura)

 Possesses great spiritual strength
 His teachings supersede all others and are compulsory for his followers
 Holds a unique post
 Is the acharya, or leader, of all Vaishnavas when physically present

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  Awards power of attorney to his followers through adherence to his teachings

3. Value of Founder-acharya for his followers in sampradaya

 Question
 Part One - How is the Founder-acharya important for his followers even after his
departure? Explain this citing Sripada Ramanujacharya as an example.
 Part Two - Therefore, in what way should every ISKCON devotee relate to Srila
Prabhupada so that ISKCON would stay healthy and vibrant for the next 10,000
years?

Lesson 4: Srila Prabhupada : Our Founder-acharya

1. Who predicted Srila Prabhupada’s advent?

 Lord Krishna to Gangadevi: “After 5000 years, My mantra-upasaka (worshiper of the holy
name) will appear in this world and spread the chanting of My holy name everywhere”
(Brahma-vaivarta purana)
 Lord Chaitanya: “Even if the sinners reject religion or flee to foreign countries… I will
send mor senapati bhakta (My military field commander) to go there and deliver them”
(Sri Chaitanya Mangala)
 Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura: “A personality will soon appear in order to preach the
teachings of Sri Chaitanya and move unrestrictedly over the whole world with His
message” (Sajjana-tosani, 1885)

2. How did Lord Chaitanya set the stage for Srila Prabhupada’s advent?

 16th Century: Mahaprabhu’s Sankirtana movement ignites a Bhakti renaissance in India

 19th Century: Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur revives Mahaprabhu’s pure teachings and
envisions a worldwide movement of Krishna consciousness
 Early 20th Century: Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura’s Gaudiya mission spreads
Krishna Consciousness throughout India and sends the first Vaishnava preachers to
Europe
 1960s: Just before our Srila Prabhupada sails West, the USA relaxes its Asian immigration
laws, the Vatican relaxes its attitude towards other religious teachings and the American
counter-culture begins to look to the East for truth.
3. How did Srila Prabhupada manifest the symptoms of a Founder-acharya?

 Divine Leadership: Circles the globe 14 times in 12 years, inspiring people to help him
establish Krishna Consciousness on every major continent. Founds over 100 KC temples,
schools, farms and restaurants.

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 Maha-grantha: Writes and publishes scores of books revealing the truth of foundational
Vaishnava sastras
 Uddharika: Initiates thousands of disciples into Brahma-Madhva-Gaudiya Vaishnava
sampradaya
 Dinabhaya: Inspires hundreds of thousands of people to awaken their dormant Krishna
Consciousness
 Great spiritual strength: Though very elderly, he exhibits extraordinary spiritual strength,
preaching Krishna Consciousness day and night to whoever would listen
 Unique post: Founds the ISKCON branch of the “Chaitanya tree” destined to carry pure
love of God to every town and village on earth.

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 Section 2: Abhidheya

This section provides the historical context that culminated in Srila Prabhupada’s astounding success in
expanding his ISKCON society to a worldwide movement. We see his initial preparations for his mission, his use
of strategy in developing and consolidating his growing movement and his future vision for a worldwide
community of devotees. It is most interesting to note that all this he was able to do by his deep understanding and
sincere following of his Guru’s instruction. The section includes a Lesson discussing the prime importance of
finding our mission within Srila Prabhupada’s greater mission, if we are to live a life that is beneficial both to
ISKCON and to ourselves.

Lesson 5: A look into History

1. From Mahaprabhu to Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati

 Establishment – Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu starts Harinam Sankirtan in Srivas Angan and
Nagar Sankirtan in Navadvip. Later travels all over India and preaches to great personalities
like Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya and Prakasananda Sarasvati.
 Development – The Six Goswamis revive Krishna’s pastime places in Vrindavan and write
voluminous literature explaining Mahaprabhu’s philosophical teachings
 Growth – Three students of Srila Jiva Goswami preach widely to expand the movement. Srila
Narottam das Thakur conquers Bangladesh, Srinivasa Acharya conquers West Bengal and
Syamananda Pandit conquers Orissa
 Decline – False representatives of Mahaprabhu form apasampradayas that spread
unauthorized or sinful practices in the name of sankirtana movement. The good name of
Gaudiya Vaishnavas is tarnished
 Revival – Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura singlehandedly revives the respectability of Gaudiya
Vaishnavas. He writes volumes of books and discovers Lord Chaitanya’s birthplace, earning
him the name “the Seventh Goswami”. He takes to the printing press as a way to expand
Mahaprabhu’s teachings by literary sankirtana. He starts the Nama-hatta style of preching and
writes books like Godruma kalpatavi which become the blueprint for future worldwide
expansion of devotees. He sends “Lord Chaitanya : His Life and Teachings” to McGill

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 University, Canada – the first Gaudiya publication to go West – in the year 1896, the year of
Srila Prabhupada’s birth.
 Expansion – Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura follows his exalted father’s footsteps
and founds the Gaudiya mission, the first organized institution in the world to spread
Vaishnava teachings. Expanding to 64 branches in India and even to Rangoon, Burma, he
sends the first Vaishnava preachers to London and Germany. Printing and distributing
transcendental literature, he practices and preaches the philosophy of yukta-vairagya1.
Simultaneously he revives the sannyasa-asrama in Gaudiya sampradaya and initiates several
sannyasis for the purpose of preaching and organization.

2. Decline - Gaudiya mission splinters and becomes asara

 Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati had instructed his senior disciples to form a Governing
Body Commission (GBC) to manage the affairs of the Gaudiya mission after his
departure. He did not wish to appoint any one person as his successor, but wanted all of
his disciples to work cooperatively for spreading Lord Chaitanya’s sankirtan mission.
 However, his disciples neglected to follow his order. As a result, immediately after Srila
Bhaktisiddhanta’s disappearance, the fire of party spirit engulfed the Gaudiya mission and
it splintered into various groups, with various leaders claiming to be the exclusive
acharyas of their regions.
 By neglecting to follow the spiritual master’s orders, the Gaudiya mission gradually lost
its preaching spirit and became asara – devoid of essence.
 Our Srila Prabhupada, who was a grihastha at that time, painfully witnessed his spiritual
master’s mission deteriorate, being unable to do much as he had little managerial
importance within that institution.
 Question: What significant lessons can we learn from the decline of the Gaudiya mission?
As ISKCON devotees, how should we be careful?

Lesson 6: Our Founder-Acharya’s Mission

1. 1922 : His Mission’s seed

 “While the two young men were still rising and preparing to sit, before any preliminary
formalities of conversation had begun, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta immediately said to them,
“You are educated young men. Why don’t you preach Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s
message throughout the whole world?” (Srila Prabhupada Lilamrita, Vol 1)
 “I was from a Vaishnava family, so I could appreciate what he was preaching. Of course,
he was speaking to everyone, but he found something in me… I was so much struck with

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Yukta-vairagya means “appropriate detachment” – properly utilizing the objects of the material world exclusively for the sake of
serving the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the master of all the worlds and its objects. A karmi (materialistic sense enjoyer)
is attached to attachment, a jnani (materialistic renunciate) is attached to detachment while a suddha-bhakta (pure devotee) is truly
detached from both attachment and detachment. This is because he is attached only to Krishna’s service and can therefore use
material objects in His service without being affected by them.
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 wonder. I could understand: here is the proper person who can give a real religious idea”
(SP LA 7 Feb 1969)

2. 1933: The Seed Sprouts

 “With folded palms, Abhay looked up humbly at his spiritual master. He and Srila
Bhaktisiddhanta were now face to face, and Srila Bhaktisiddhanta recognized him and was
visibly pleased to see him. He already knew him. “Yes,” he said, exchanging looks with
Abhay, “he likes to hear. He does not go away. I have marked him. I will accept him as
my disciple.” (Srila Prabhupada Lilamrita, Vol 1)

3. 1935 : His creeper blessed

 “Deeply concerned, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta said to Abhay, “agun jvalbe” – “there will be
fire”. One day there would be fire in the Calcutta Gaudiya Math, and that fire of party
interests would spread and destroy.
 Srila Bhaktisiddhanta then said directly to Abhay, “amar iccha kichu bai karana” – “I had a
desire to print some books. If you ever get money, print books”. Standing by Radha-
kunda and beholding his spiritual master, Abhay felt the words deeply enter his own life –
“If you every get money, print books” (Srila Prabhupada Lilamrita, Vol 1)

4. 1936 : His mission confirmed

 "I am a householder... Sometimes I give monetary help, while I cannot give you direct
service. Is there any particular service I can do?" (Excerpt from Srila Prabhupada's last
letter to his Guru Maharaja, December 1936)
 "I am fully confident that you can explain in English our thoughts and arguments to the
people... "This will do much good to yourself as well as your audience… "I have every
hope that you can turn yourself into a very good English preacher if you serve the mission
to inculcate the novel impression of Lord Chaitanya's teachings in the people..." (Srila
Sarasvati Thakura's reply, 2 weeks later)
 "Abhay at once recognized this to be the same instruction he had received at their first
meeting, in 1922. He took it as a confirmation. There was now no doubt as to the purpose
of his life." (Srila Prabhupada Lilamrita, Vol 1)

5. 1953 : His mission’s first flower

 "The League of Devotees after deliberate consideration of authoritative scriptures for

Spiritual science has put forward the following aims and objects in view for the society.
 To propagate spiritual knowledge systematically for checking the imbalance of
life, to the whole race of India and the world over, with a view to educate the
people in general in the techniques of spiritual life as the basis for balanced
psychic and biological developments of the human race…
 To prove it practically by active work and preaching that Shree Krishna is the
only Enjoyer of all the outcome of everyone's sacrifice, penance, meditation, arts,
culture, science, because He is the Supreme Proprietor of the whole Universe,
and Eternal Friend of everybody. "(May 1953)

6. 1962 : His Bhagavatam blossoms

 "Our capacity of presenting the matter in adequate language, specially a foreign language,
will certainly fail and there may be so many literary discrepancies in spite of our honest
attempt to present it in the proper way. But we are sure that with our all faults in this
connection the seriousness of the subject matter will be taken into consideration and the

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 leaders of the society will still accept this on account of its being an honest attempt for
glorifying the Almighty Great so much now badly needed. (SP's original Preface to SB 1.1)

7. 1965 : His Mission sails West

 “I planned that I must go to America. Generally they go to London, but I did not want to
go to London. I was simply thinking how to go to New York. I was scheming, "Whether I
shall this way, through Tokyo, Japan, or way? Which way is cheaper?" That was my
proposal. And I was targeting to New York always. Sometimes I was dreaming that I have
come to New York” (SP Morning Walk Mayapur 9 Mar 76)

8. 1966 : ISKCON is born

 Soon after moving into the storefront, the Swami decided to incorporate his fledgling
movement. "We will call it the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. ISKCON
for short," he said one day.
 "Why don't you call it the International Society for God Consciousness?" someone
suggested. "No," the Swami said. "Krishna Consciousness."
 A lawyer named Steven Goldsmith oversaw the proceedings. As part of the process, the
Swami drew up a document, which he entitled "Seven Purposes of the International
Society for Krishna Consciousness."
 The Swami asked Jan and me if we would act as signatories of this document that would
establish his movement as a legal entity. In our early twenties, we were almost the oldest
people frequenting the Swami's chanting evenings, so it made sense to us that he would
ask us over the teenagers and less-responsible visitors who drifted in and out of the scene.
We agreed to his proposal, even though the legality of it all seemed a bit excessive given
that the "movement" consisted of nothing more than a handful of alternatives and a
rented storefront. (Mukunda Goswami, Miracle on Second Avenue – Chapter 5)

9. 1970 : After first round of growth, SP consolidates his movement

 Now that ISKCON became a little successful, Srila Prabhupada was very careful to
prevent the kind of situation that came upon the Gaudiya mission after they were a little
successful.
 Boil the milk: "Now I want that we shall concentrate on making our devotees Krishna
conscious and ourselves becoming Krishna conscious, and not be so much concerned
with expanding ourselves widely but without any spiritual content. Just like boiling the
milk, it becomes thicker and sweeter. Now do like that, boil the milk." (Srila Prabhupada
Letter, May 9, 1972)
 One moon is better: "You can thin milk by adding water and you can make it thick by
boiling. Now is the time for us to begin the boiling process. Now you know everything
how to be a Vaisnava brahmana, now you must practice these things or the whole thing
will be a show only. Better to develop the small number of devotees we have, make them
truly Krishna conscious boys and girls than to go on getting many followers who do not
understand and practice the real principles. Better one moon that many stars." (Srila
Prabhupada Letter, May 9, 1972)
 Writes books: In order to build a strong foundation for his fledgling movement, Srila
Prabhupada goes night after night without sleep, translating BG, SB, CC and other books
and embellishing them with his deep personal realizations in the form of Bhaktivedanta
purports. He gives further instructions through his numerous recorded lectures, written
letters, morning walks and conversations.

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10. 1970 : Two significant events in two consecutive days

 July 28, 1970 - Forms GBC

 I, the undersigned, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami, disciple of Om Visnupad
Paramahamsa 108 Sri Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Maharaj
Prabhupada...
 Now we have got thirty-four (34) branches enlisted herewith. As we have
increased our volume of activities, now I think a Governing Body Commission
(hereinafter referred to as the GBC) should be established.
 I am getting old, 75 years old, therefore at any time I may be out of the scene,
therefore I think it is necessary to give instruction to my disciples how they shall
manage the whole institution. They are already managing individual centers
represented by one president, one secretary and one treasurer, and in my opinion
they are doing nice.
 But we want still more improvement in the standards of Temple management,
propaganda for Krishna consciousness, distribution of books and literatures,
opening of new centers and educating devotees to the right standard.
 Prabhupada then listed the names of the twelve persons who would form the
GBC, and he noted: These personalities are now considered as my direct
representatives. While I am living they will act as my zonal secretaries and after
my demise they will be known as Executors (Srila Prabhupada Biography, “In
every town and village”, 2007 ed, page 191)

 July 29, 1970 - Forms BBT

 The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust account will be used to publish my books and
literature and to establish Temples throughout the world, specifically three
temples are to be established, one each in Mayapur, Vrindaban and Jagannath
Puri. (Srila Prabhupada Biography, “In every town and village”, 2007 ed, page 191)

11. 1977 : He entrusts his ISKCON mission with his senior disciples

 Following his Guru’s example, Srila Prabhupada does not appoint any one person as his
successor
 Srila Prabhupãda had already given the outline for his will to Tamala Krsna Goswami.
The G.B.C. would be the ultimate governing authority in ISKCON. Three trustees would
be assigned to each ISKCON property. The G.B.C. was to make a thorough draft and
make the will legal.
 For Srila Prabhupäda, a will meant protection for his ISKCON. As Srila Prabhupada had
explained, a devotee has not a tinge of self-interest-everything is for Krsna. But in his
purity he must not be naive. ISKCON was a large, growing organization of properties and
monies intended one hundred percent for use in the devotional service of Krşna. Šrila
Prabhupāda called on the G.B.C. to be vigilant.
 A few days later the final version of the "Declaration of Willwas notarized in the presence
of a lawyer.
 “Now manage everything,” he said, “and let me think of Krishna-Balarama” (SP to Tamal
Krishna Goswami in Vrindavan, late 1977)

Question: Seeing how carefully Srila Prabhupada has crafted his ISKCON movement, what are
your thoughts? What inspiring lessons can you learn from this?

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 Lesson 7: ISKCON’s growth in 4 phases

1. Phase One : Holy Names and Holy Books

 "Leaders and politicians may take lessons from the life of Mahatma Gandhi, who was
undoubtedly a great and busy politician, in respect of his daily evening prayer meetings
and regular recitation of Bhagwat Geeta...Such regular habit of reciting the readings of
Bhagwat Geeta makes one able to get rid of the demoniac way of life and gradually rising
up to the plane of pure devotional life of the gods." (BTG 20 May 1956)
 ISKCON's Application
 Harinama-sankirtana in the streets, parks, and beaches of the world.
 Sastra classes & book distribution.

2. Phase Two : Temples and Deities

 "The temple entry movement of Mahatma Gandhi is another attempt to deliver people in
general from spiritual degradation and by such movement the mass of people can be
saved from gliding down to the lowest status of demoniac life..." (1956 BTG article
excerpt)
 "The mission of Geeta Nagari must have its aim amongst others to rectify the anomalies
that have entered into the life of these centres of spiritual education and regenerate them
to the sense of spiritual life through the exemplary life of devotees..." (BTG 1956)
 ISKCON's Application
 Renting storefronts, buying churches and castles, building temples.
 Deity paintings, importing Deities, crafting Deities.

3. Phase Three : Congregation and Initiation

 "The third item is to take up the harijana movement. This movement is, in the real sense,
a spiritual initiation movement and this should be organized in such a manner that
people all over the world may take interest in it...The mayajana is a word which is
applicable to a person who is ordinarily engaged in the service of materialistic pursuits,
whereas the harijana is the person whose main business is to attain perfection of human
life, as Mahatma Gandhi did, by spiritualistic realization." (1949 letter excerpt to Indian
Deputy PM Dr. Patel)
 ISKCON's Application
 Life Membership
 Congregational Ministry
 Nama-hatta, Bhakti-vrksa programs

4. Phase Four : Daiva-varnasrama

 "I have only done fifty percent of what I want to do. The farms have to be done. If they
are established, varnasrama will be established." (TKG's Diary, 10 August 1977)
 "I have one lamentation.' A devotee asked, 'Because you have not finished translating the
Srimad Bhagavatam?' Prabhupada replied, 'No, that I have not established varnaśrama."
(Phone Interview with Abhirāma Prabhu, Vrndavana 18 Feb 1996)
 ISKCON's Application
 Barely begun.

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Question: What is your understanding of varnasrama? Does Srila Prabhupada wish to bring back the caste
system?

Lesson 8: Varnasrama for a good future

1. Types of varnasrama

 Latent varnasrama: "And in the Bhagavad-gita-perhaps you have read Bhagavad-gita-

there is also the statement, catur-varnyam maya srstam [Bg. 4.13] ... So, sunshine is here
in America, in Russia, in India-everywhere. Similarly, this varnasrama system is prevalent
everywhere in some form or other. Just like the brahmanas. The brahmanas means the
most intelligent class of men, brain, brain of the society. Then the kşatriyas, the
administrator class. Then the vaisyas, the productive class, and the sudras, the worker
class. These four classes of men are everywhere present in different names. And because it
is creation by the original creator, so it is prevalent everywhere, varnasrama-dharma.”
(Srila Prabhupada to Professor C.G. Kotovsky, Indian Studies Dept., Moscow Univ)

 Materialistic varnasrama: "Out of many, many thousands and millions of people, one
takes to the scientific institute of varnasrama-dharma. That means followers of the Vedas,
strictly. Out of these persons who are following the Vedic principles, mostly they're
attached to karma- handa, ritualistic ceremonies." (Gita lecture 7.1 Calcutta 27 Jan '73)
"The vitiated caste system of present India is never sanctioned by the scriptures. But the
caste system is made by God according to quality and work of the subject and it was
never designed for the benefit of accidental birth right." (1949 letter excerpt to Indian
Deputy PM Dr. Patel)

 Vedic Isavasya (daiva) varnasrama

 "The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Visnu, is worshiped by the proper

execution of prescribed duties in the system of varna and aśrama. There is no
other way to satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead. One must be situated
in the institution of the four varnas and aśramas.' (Parasara Muni, Visnu Purana
3.8.9)

 "By following his qualities of work, every man can become perfect. Now please
hear from Me how this can be done. "By worship of the Lord, who is the source
of all beings and who is all- pervading, a man can attain perfection through
performing his own work. (Bhagavad-gita 18.45-46)

2. Srila Prabhupada’s Daiva-varnasrama for ISKCON and Planet Earth

 1966-1973: Forget varnasrama, chanting Hare Krsna is the panacea: "Therefore this is
the panacea, to engage everyone in Krşna consciousness, chanting Hare Krsna. He comes
above the highest principle of brahmanism. This is the greatest gift to the humanity, that
even he is in the, I mean to say, fallen condition, the most degraded position, he can be
raised to the highest position simply by chanting. This is the only remedy. Now you
cannot again introduce this system of varnasrama" (Bg. lecture 3.18-30 L.A. 30 Dec 1968)

 1974-1976: We must establish varnasrama, humanity is in chaos: The varnasrama

college has to be established immediately. Everywhere, wherever we have got our center,
a varnasrama college should be established to train four divisions Because if the people
are in chaos, how they'll be able to accept the great philosophy? It requires cool brain.
(Morning Walk, Vrndavana, 14 March 1974)
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  1977: Varnasrama a must for ISKCON and the world: "The varnasrama-dharma should
be established to become a Vaişnava. It is not so easy to become Vaişnava...If Vaişnava, to
become Vaişnava is so easy, why so many fall down, fall down? It is not easy. (Room
Conversation Mayapur 14 Feb 1977)

 "This is the next aspect of Krishna consciousness which I wish to push forward...
On these farms we can demonstrate the full varnasrama system. If these farms
become successful then the whole world will be enveloped by Krishna
consciousness… In the cities, we are interested for preaching but we cannot
present the ideal varnasrama system, this is only possible at the farms, so they are
very important." (Letter excerpts from Srila Prabhupada to Hari Sauri recorded in
TKG's Diary, Vrindavan 10 Aug 1977)

3. Relevance of varnasrama in our lives as devotees

 BG 18.45-46 : Find work that suits your nature and then do it as an offering
 Food for thought: Do not compare your work with another’s. Your natures may be
different. Follow the philosophy of diversity on the material platform and unity in the
spiritual platform. That is unity in diversity.
 Krishna does not consider our material differences but only our spiritual eagerness to
serve Him. Read Chapter 86 of Krishna book describing how Lord Krishna visits His two
pure devotees Srutadeva and Bahulasva.

Lesson 9: Finding our mission in His Mission

1. Importance of doing one’s own duty

 "It is far better to discharge one's prescribed duties, even though faultily, than another's
duties perfectly. Destruction in the course of performing one's own duty is better than
engaging in another's duties, for to follow another's path is dangerous." (Bg. 3.35)
 "It is better to engage in one's own occupation, even though one may perform it
imperfectly, than to accept another's occupation and perform it perfectly. Duties
prescribed according to one's nature are never affected by sinful reactions." (Bg. 18.47)

2. In Kali-yuga why is it difficult to know who we are and what our duty is?

 "The Vedic civilization is varnāśrama-dharma. If the varnāśrama- dharma is not properly

protected, then there will be population who are called varna-sankara, mixed
population." (lecture to World Health Organization, Geneva 6 June 1974)

3. Helpers for determining one’s prescribed duty

 "Dhruva Mahårâja indirectly informed the great sage Närada that there are four kinds of
human spirit-the brahminical spirit, the kşatriya spirit, the vaisya spirit and the südra
spirit. The spirit of one caste is not applicable to the members of another. ...unless a child
is trained according to his tendency, there is no possibility of his developing his particular
spirit. It was the duty of the spiritual master or teacher to observe the psychological
movement of a particular boy and thus train him in a particular occupational duty." (SB
4.8.36 ppt)
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  Question: Are you satisfied with your occupation? If not, how would you apply this
instruction in your present situation? Whom would you take guidance from, in this
regard?
4. Be all you can be in our Founder-acharya’s daiva-varnasrama mission

 "It does not matter what one is. One must dedicate everything in the service of the
Lord...That is the way to realize the Lord in every sphere of life....one should try to engage
in the service of the Lord everything for which one has specific attraction, and that is the
way of peace and prosperity..." (SB 1.5.32 ppt)

 “Your seva will save ya!” – you need to find “your mission” in devotional service, if you
are to keep going enthusiastically year after year, decade after decade in ISKCON

 Question: Think about what solid lifelong contribution you wish to make in ISKCON (we
are not talking about those little emergency services we keep doing all the time, but a
greater mission for which you have inclination). Are you satisfied being a jack of all
trades or would you wish to specialize in some area of service? If yes, list them down
here.

Lesson 10: Seven purposes of ISKCON

1. Seven Purposes of ISKCON

 (1) To systematically propagate spiritual knowledge to society at large and to educate all
peoples in the techniques of spiritual life in order to check the imbalance of values in life
and to achieve real unity and peace in the world.
 (2) To propagate a consciousness of Krishna as it is revealed in the Bhagawat Gita and
Srimad Bhagawatam.
 (3) To bring the members of the Society together with each other and nearer to Krishna,
the prime entity, and thus to develop the idea, within the members, and humanity, at
large, that each soul is part and parcel of the quality of Godhead (Krishna).
 (4) To teach and encourage the Samkirtan movement congregational chanting of the holy
name of God as revealed in the teachings of Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
 (5) To erect for the members, and for society at large, a holy place of transcendental
pastimes, dedicated to the personality of Krishna.
 (6) To bring the members closer together for the purpose of teaching a simpler and more
natural way of life.
 (7) With a view towards achieving the aforementioned purposes, to publish and
distribute periodicals, magazines, books and other writings. (A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami,
13 July 1966 NY, NY)

2. Roadmap for organic development of an ISKCON center

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 Step 1 : Books - Seventh purpose comes first
 Step 2 : Education and Training – through classes, courses and practical services
 Step 3 : Krishna consciousness – transcendental consciousness pervades when devotees
absorb Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam and bring them into their thoughts, words
and deeds
 Step 4 : Krishna-centered loving relationships – When individuals are trained and
practiced to live Krishna-centered lives, their relationships will also be Krishna-centered
and hence will abound in unity, peace and love
 Step 4 : Preaching – With such a happy community in place, preaching is natural since it
is an expression of the community’s sharing its joy with others
 Step 5 : Temple – As the number of devotees increases through preaching, a need is felt
for a bigger, more established place for the community to congregate and worship the
Lord’s deity form
 Step 6 : Farm communities – The community gradually thrives on internal dependence
and progressive independence from the rat race economy. Farm communities and
devotee-driven business initiatives abound at this stage. The city center and farm
community can progress by mutual cooperation.

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 Section 3: Prayojana

In order to attain prayojana, life’s ultimate goal – pure love for Krishna and
also for Srila Prabhupada - we should sincerely follow Srila Prabhupada’s
instructions to cooperate with each other and serve within ISKCON to
expand Krishna Consciousness to every town and village as Lord Chaitanya
Mahaprabhu and our entire Guru Parampara desired. We can also perform
daily activities like Srila Prabhupada puja, studying his books, hearing from
him and about him, telling others about him and also praying regularly to
Srila Prabhupada so that he is not only ISKCON Founder-acharya Srila
Prabhupada, but “my Prabhupada” as well.

Lesson 11: To love is to Cooperate

1. To love is to serve

 “So, you just do your service,” he continued. “That is all that is necessary. This is what
love means. To do service.” (What is the difficulty? Srutakirti das)

2. Love also means to cooperate

 "Your love for me," said Šrila Prabhupāda, "'will be shown by how much you cooperate to
keep this institution together after I am gone. (Srila Prabhupada - lilamrta, Vol 6)
 Śrila Prabhupada emphasized, "Your love for me will be tested how after my departure
you maintain this institution. We have glamour and people are feeling our weight. This
should be maintained." (TKG's Diary, May 23, 1977)
 Material nature means dissension and disagreement, especially in this Kali yuga. But, for
this Krishna consciousness movement its success will depend on agreement, even though
there are varieties of engagement.

3. But don’t expect Utopia

 "People should not expect that even in the Krishna Consciousness Society there will be
Utopia. Because devotees are persons, therefore there will always be some lacking, but the
difference is that their...lackings have become transcendental because, despite everything
they may do, their topmost intention is to serve Krishna." (letter to Atreya Rsi 4 Feb '72)
 He told the story of the father who came home at night after a hard day's work and
requested his sons to massage different parts of his body. But while the sons were
massaging, they fell to quarreling with one another and began punching the different
parts of the father's body. "By your fighting you are killing me!" the father cried out. And
so also did Prabhupāda cry out: the inevitable quarreling should not become a painful
situation for the spiritual master. "We must exist on cooperation," wrote Srila
Prabhupada, "otherwise the whole thing is doomed if we simply go on fighting over some
small thing" (letter to Madhu-mangala 18 Nov 72)
 Srila Prabhupada’s comparison : Honeybee mentality vs housefly mentality

4. Find unity in diversity

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  "The materialist without being able to adjust the varieties and the disagreements makes
everything zero. They cannot come into agreement with varieties, but if we keep Krsna in
the center, then there will be agreement in varieties. This is called unity in diversity. "I
am therefore suggesting that all our men meet in Mayapur every year during the birth
anniversary of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. With all GBC and senior men present we
should discuss how to make unity in diversity." (letter to Kirtanananda 18 Oct 73)

5. On principles and details

 "Prabhupada, how can we tell the difference between making an adjustment and changing
a principle?" Prabhupāda closed his eyes and I continued to rub his body. Finally, he
opened his eyes and responded, "That requires a little intelligence." (Srutakirti Prabhu,
What is the Difficulty?)
 "To foolishly mistake a non-adjustable principle for an adjustable detail will cause havoc
in spiritual life, and to accept each detail as if it can never be adjusted is fanaticism.
Fanaticism will cause havoc of a different nature. (Bhurijana Prabhu, My Glorious Master)
 Question: Give three examples of details that Srila Prabhupada adjusted in order to
further his preaching movement in the Western world.

 Question: Give one example of what damage can happen if an essential principle is
changed in the name of preaching or devotional service.

6. Associate with likeminded devotees, but respect all

 "One must. . .associate with like-minded Vaisnavas who are pure, more elevated, and
realized." (Srila Rupa Gosvami, Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu 1.2.90-92)
 Mature devotees are like ripe mango and immature devotees are like green mango – they
shall gradually ripen with heat (continued association) and time.
 At the same time one should respect all and cooperate with the aim of pleasing Srila
Prabhupada, the parampara acharyas and Lord Krishna.

7. What happens to one who chants Hare Krishna but doesn’t associate with other devotees?

 The significant point in Dhruva Mahārāja’s statement is that he wanted the association of
pure devotees. Transcendental devotional service cannot be complete and cannot be
relishable without the association of devotees. We have therefore established the
International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Anyone who is trying to be aloof from
this Krishna Consciousness Society and yet engage in Kṛṣṇa consciousness is living in a
great hallucination, for this is not possible. From this statement by Dhruva Mahārāja it is
clear that unless one is associated with devotees, his devotional service does not mature;
it does not become distinct from material activities. (SB 4.9.11 purport)
 Question: If a devotee says, I love Srila Prabhupada and am chanting Hare Krishna, but I
do not wish to serve along with other devotees in ISKCON. Is this pleasing to Srila
Prabhupada? Quote from Srila Prabhupada’s purports in Nectar of Instruction to justify
your answer.

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 Lesson 12: Fictional Prabhupadas

1. Impersonal fiction : Prabhupada is God

 Fact: "The spiritual master is to be honored as much as the Supreme Lord because he is
the most confidential servitor of the Lord"...(Sri Gurvastakam 7, Srila Visvanatha
Caravarti Thakura)
 Fact: "There is only one thing worse than underestimating the guru--overestimating the
They have said I am God. Therefore, if I am God, they also guru. can become God. This is
impersonalism." (Prabhupada's verdict on "Prabhupada-is- God,' recounted by Madhudvisa
Prabhu)

2. Impersonal fiction : Prabhupada is ISKCON

 Fact: "ISKCON is my body." (Srila Prabhupada)

 Fact: "In ISKCON, Prabhupāda himself remains present, generation after generation, as
the single prominent siksa-guru immanent in the life of each and every ISKCON devotee-
a perpetual, indwelling active guiding and directing presence. He is thus the soul of
ISKCON. (The Position of Srila Prabhupada, HG Ravindra Svarupa Prabhu)

3. Impersonal fiction : Prabhupada is the GBC

 Fact: "The Governing Body Commission (GBC) will be the ultimate managing authority
of the entire International Society for Krishna Consciousness..." (from Srila Prabhupada's
Declaration of Will, 4 June 1977)

4. Impersonal fiction : Prabhupada is the guru only of his initiated disciples

 Fact: "Srila Prabhupada is the foundational siksa-guru for all ISKCON devotees because
he has realized and presented the teachings of the previous acaryas of the Brahma-
Madhva- Gaudiya sampradaya appropriately for the modern age." (from 1994 GBC
Resolution No. 35, Founder-Acarya Statement)
 This misunderstanding led to the unfortunate Zonal Acharya system which was later
abolished by the GBC

5. Sentimental fiction : Prabhupada is not strict

 "I had been imagining a Prabhupada that allowed a compromise of purity and Krsna
conscious practices. When I was suddenly confronted by the real Prabhupāda, the illusory
Prabhupada dissolved like mist after sunrise. Prabhupada, as he himself said, was "90%
liberal," but that other 10% was strict. (Bhurijana Prabhu, My Glorious Master)

6. Sentimental fiction : Prabhupada is only a figurehead

 "The guru is not like a family priest for performing ritual ceremonies, nor is he a
figurehead appointed by the institution, without real presence in the heart and mind of
the disciple. Rather the spiritual master is the center of the disciple's very being - "He is
my lord, birth after birth." (Vaisnava Behavior, Satsvarupa dasa Goswami)
 We have to install Srila Prabhupada in our hearts!

7. Sentimental fiction : Prabhupada is no more

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  "There are two ways of association--by vănĩ and by vapuh. Vani means words, and vapuh
means physical presence. Physical presence is sometimes appreciable and sometimes not,
but vani continues to exist eternally. Therefore we must take advantage of the vani, not
the physical presence. (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya-lila, Concluding Words)
 In San Francisco 1975, when a reporter asked SP what would happen to his movement
after he died, HDG boomed: “I shall never die, I will live forever in my books!”

8. Sentimental fiction : Prabhupada is the only initiating guru (Ritvik-mayavada)

 "Keep trained up very rigidly and then you are bona fide Guru, and you can accept
disciples on the same principle. But as a matter of etiquette it is the custom that during
the lifetime of your Spiritual master you bring the prospective disciples to him, and in his
absence or disappearance you can accept disciples without any limitation. This is the law
of disciplic succession. I want to see my disciples become bona fide Spiritual Master and
spread Krishna consciousness very widely, that will make me and Krishna very happy."
(letter to Tusta Krsna 2 Dec 1975)
 Question: Think of 3 or more logical and sastric reasons why the idea of Prabhupada as
the only perpetual initiating guru in ISKCON does not hold valid.

 Question: There is one very important thing that Srila Prabhupada does not teach
personally. We need to learn that only from Srila Prabhupada’s disciples and grand
disciples. What is that one thing?

Lesson 13: Your Srila Prabhupada

1. Standard understandings of Srila Prabhupada

 As ISKCON’s Founder-acharya
 As jagat-guru, the world teacher empowered to spread Krishna consciousness worldwide
 As a nitya-siddha, saktyavesa-avatara, situated on the topmost platform of pure devotional
service to Sri Sri Radha and Krishna
 "Unless one is empowered by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Śrī Caitanya
Mahaprabhu, one cannot spread the holy names of the Hare Krşna mahã-mantra
throughout the world. Persons who do so are empowered. Therefore they are
sometimes called aveśaravatāras, or empowered incarnations, for they are
endowed with the power of Srī Caitanya Mahaprabhu." (CC Antya-lila 2.15
purport)
 As the foundational spiritual master for all ISKCON devotees
 a. Srila Prabhupada is the foundational siksa-guru for all ISKCON devotees
because he has realized and presented the teachings of the previous acaryas of
the Brahma Madhva Gaudiya sampradaya appropriately for the modern age.
 b. Srila Prabhupada's instructions are the essential teachings for every ISKCON
devotee...
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  e. Every spiritual master is responsible to guide his disciples to follow Srila
Prabhupada's instructions. (1994 GBC Resolution No. 35 Founder Acarya
Statement)
2. Don’t jump over or under Srila Prabhupada

 Jumping over to previous acharyas like SBSST/SBVT: "You cannot imagine what my
spiritual master said. Or even if you read some books, you cannot understand unless you
understand it from me. This is called parampară system. You cannot jump over to the
superior guru, neglecting the next acarya, immediate next acarya. (Lecture SB 1.15.30 LA
8 Dec 73)
 Jumping under without sufficiently understanding the founder-acharya: "..nobody should
accept blindly any guru, and nobody should blindly accept any disciple. They must
behave one another, at least for one year...This is the instruction by Sanātana Gosvämi in
his Hari- bhakti-vilasa.' (Gita lecture 25 Feb 1975 Miami)
 "Establishing a relationship with a spiritual master in the line of Śrīla
Prabhupada means establishing a relationship with him as the founder-acarya."
(Lokanath Swami in his Intro duction to Srila Prabhupada's Centennial Vyasa-puja
Book, 1996)

3. Connect with “Your” Srila Prabhupada

 Srila Prabhupada is a transcendental preacher, writer, publisher, pujari, cook, musician,

dancer, social reformer, strategist, entrepreneur, storyteller, satirist, leader, manager,
caregiver, friend…
 Question: Think of 3 aspects of Srila Prabhupada’s transcendental personality that appeal
to you personally – that you would want to describe as “my Srila Prabhupada”.

 Question: How would you wish to connect to Srila Prabhupada on a practical basis in
your day-to-day life? Describe five life improvements you wish to make so you can
become a better Prabhupadanuga, a better follower of Srila Prabhupada?

Lesson 14: Keeping Srila Prabhupada in the Center

1. What we can do as a ISKCON center

 In any printed material, whenever ISKCON name is officially mentioned, we write

immediately below it: “Founder-acharya: His Divine Grace A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami
Prabhupada”
 In all his books, SP repeatedly insisted to write his name “His Divine Grace
A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada” as the author, and immediately below write
"Founder-acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness"
 We shall give distinct prominence to Srila Prabhupada in all ISKCON functions,
publications, worship, lectures etc.
 Add to the list…

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2. What we can do as individual devotees

 Regularly read his books, listen to his audio lectures

 Follow his instructions especially the daily life schedule he has given us
 Perform Srila Prabhupada Puja
 Discuss Srila Prabhupada's teachings and pastimes among each other
 Write offerings for Srila Prabhupada Vyasa Puja
 Pray to Srila Prabhupada daily
 Learn how to serve Srila Prabhupada from one's diksa and siksha gurus
 Properly represent Srila Prabhupada in public by right appearance and ideal behaviour
 Add to the list…

Lesson 15: Benefits

1. Benefits of deeply understanding Srila Prabhupada’s position

 1. Generation after generation will be able to receive the special mercy offered by Śrila
Prabhupâda.
 2. By taking full shelter of Srila Prabhupāda as sikşa guru in his väni manifestation, all
teachers in ISKCON, on various levels of advancement, will be able authentically to
convey Srila Prabhupāda's real teaching, thus giving proper guidance, shelter, and
protection to all.
 3. Śrīla Prabhupāda's active presence will help to secure the unity of ISKCON,
strengthening both the GBC & guru/disciple bonds...
 4. Our teachings will remain consistent over space and time.
 5. Prabhupada's realized knowledge, endowing him with the specific potency to spread
Krsna consciousness, will be not only preserved but also developed.
 6. His books will remain central to us, for they contain insights and directions that await
future development to be realized
 7. His eyes will always remain the lens through which all future generations see
Prabhupada's predecessor acaryas. (The Position of Srila Prabhupada, HG Ravindra Svarupa
Prabhu)

All glories to our beloved founder-acarya, Srila Prabhupada,

as well as every Prabhupada follower's foundational relationship with him!

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