History
The establishment of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in 1966 in New York City marked a pivotal moment in the propagation of the transcendental message of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. This spiritual movement was initiated by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, a prominent figure within the Brahma Madhva Gaudiya Vaishnava Sampradaya—one of the four Vaishnava traditions. ISKCON's roots trace back to an authorized disciplic succession, where spiritual preceptors imparted the science of self-realization based on the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagwatam.
Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, along with His brother Nityananda Prabhu and the Goswamis of Vrindavana, including Sanatana, Rupa, Jiva, Gopal Bhatta, Raghunatha Dasa, and Raghunatha Bhatta, played a pivotal role in codifying the precepts and practices that form the foundation of ISKCON. The Bhagavad Gita, considered the principal scripture of The Hare Krishna Movement, has an ancient lineage, with its teachings passed down through oral tradition for over 5000 years before being put into writing.
The establishment of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in 1966 in New York City marked a pivotal moment in the propagation of the transcendental message of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. This spiritual movement was initiated by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, a prominent figure within the Brahma Madhva Gaudiya Vaishnava Sampradaya—one of the four Vaishnava traditions. ISKCON's roots trace back to an authorized disciplic succession, where spiritual preceptors imparted the science of self-realization based on the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagwatam. Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, along with His brother Nityananda Prabhu and the Goswamis of Vrindavana, including Sanatana, Rupa, Jiva, Gopal Bhatta, Raghunatha Dasa, and Raghunatha Bhatta, played a pivotal role in codifying the precepts and practices that form the foundation of ISKCON. The Bhagavad Gita, considered the principal scripture of The Hare Krishna Movement, has an ancient lineage, with its teachings passed down through oral tradition for over 5000 years before being put into writing. Sri Chaitanya's profound impact on fostering a massive devotional movement in India led to the compilation of numerous volumes on Krishna consciousness philosophy. In the 19th century, Bhaktivinoda Thakura, a distinguished Vaishnava theologian, brought Krishna consciousness to a contemporary audience by dispatching a book on the Teachings of Lord Caitanya to McGill University in Canada in 1896. Following in this preceptorial line, Bhaktivinoda Thakur's son, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami, instructed Srila Prabhupada to spread Krishna consciousness among the English-speaking populace of the West.
In adherence to this directive, Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada embarked on a daring journey across the Atlantic Ocean in 1965, arriving in the USA. This marked the inception of The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), a spiritually significant movement aimed at fulfilling his guru's desire. Within a remarkably brief span of 11 years, ISKCON expanded to major cities worldwide, perpetuating the timeless teachings of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.