A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Indian Gaudiya Vaishnava spiritual teacher, founder-acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), and the man who, at sixty-nine years of age in 1965, sailed from Calcutta to New York with seven dollars and a trunk of books to carry the Hare Krishna lineage of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (1486-1534) to the West. Born Abhay Charan De in 1896 in Calcutta, initiated by his guru Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati in 1933, he received the order to bring Krishna consciousness to the English-speaking world and spent the next twelve years preparing — translating, writing, and finally embarking on the voyage that would establish ISKCON in 1966. By the time of his death in 1977 he had circled the globe fourteen times, founded over a hundred temples, written or translated more than seventy volumes (including the canonical Bhagavad-gītā As It Is and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam), and trained the disciples who would carry the movement forward. His teaching centers on bhakti-yoga — the path of devotion — and on the chanting of the Hare Krishna mahamantra as the most accessible spiritual practice for the present age (Kali Yuga).
115
quotes in library
Quotes by A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
115 quotes“So why not begin with bhakti?”
bhaktiThe Nectar of Devotion
“The chanting is the same in any age and any country.”
chantingLectures
“Hare Krishna is for everyone, regardless of caste, creed, or color.”
chantingLectures
“Krishna is the father of all living beings.”
krishnaBhagavad-gītā As It Is 14.4
“Therefore all living beings are brothers and sisters.”
brotherhoodBhagavad-gītā As It Is, purport
“Do not envy. Do not be jealous. See Krishna in every heart.”
envyBhagavad-gītā As It Is, purport
“This is the vision of the saints.”
visionBhagavad-gītā As It Is, purport
“A devotee is humble like a blade of grass and tolerant like a tree.”
humilitySikshastakam, cited often
“He gives respect to others without expecting any in return.”
respectSikshastakam
“This is the qualification of one who chants the holy name constantly.”
qualificationSikshastakam
“Krishna says: I am easily approached by my devotees.”
krishnaBhagavad-gītā As It Is 9.32, purport
“Even women, merchants, and laborers — anyone — can come to Me.”
krishnaBhagavad-gītā As It Is 9.32
“How much more so the brahmanas, the devotees, the saints.”
saintsBhagavad-gītā As It Is 9.33
“Therefore, having come to this temporary, miserable world, engage in loving service unto Me.”
serviceBhagavad-gītā As It Is 9.33
“That is the perfection of human life.”
perfectionBhagavad-gītā As It Is 9.33, purport
“You can chant Hare Krishna at any time, in any place, in any condition.”
chantingLectures
“You don't need any qualification.”
chantingLectures
“Just chant — and gradually everything will be revealed to you.”
chantingLectures
“The four pillars of dharma are austerity, cleanliness, mercy, and truthfulness.”
dharmaŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.17.24, purport
Explore More Teachers
Discover wisdom from 500+ spiritual teachers across all traditions.
Browse All Teachers