Srila Prabhupada

February 8, 2024

Context:

The Prime Minister addressed the programme marking the 150th anniversary of Srila Prabhupada at Bharat Mandapam and released a commemorative stamp and a coin in his honour.

About Srila Prabhupada

Srila Prabhupada: Born as Abhay Charan, he was the founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), commonly known as the Hare Krishna movement.
Mission: To spread the teachings of Bhagavad-gita and the principles of Bhakti Yoga (the path of loving devotion to God), particularly focused on the worship of Lord Krishna.
Gaudiya Mission: Srila Prabhupada was the founder of Gaudiya Mission, which played a pivotal role in preserving and spreading the fundamental tenets of Vaishnava faith.
- Gaudiya Mission has played a significant role in propagating the teachings of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

Srila Prabhupada

Birth of ISKCON: He left India in 1965 to fulfil the order of his spiritual master, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, to spread the teachings of Krishna consciousness in the Western world.
Maha Mantra: ISKCON promotes the chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra as a means to attain spiritual enlightenment and happiness.
Works: He translated and commented on numerous Vedic texts, including the Bhagavad-gita, Chaitanya Charitamrita, etc.

About Chaitanya Mahaprabhu

About: He was a 15th century Vedic spiritual leader, who is considered an avatar of Lord Krishna by his followers.
Founded Gaudiya Vaishnavism: It is a religious movement that promotes Vaishnavism or worship of Lord Vishnu as the Supreme Soul.
Gaudiya Vaishnavism: It teaches the acceptance of Bhakti yoga as a method to realise the ultimate truth.
Maha Mantra and Prayer: Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is credited with popularising the ‘Maha Mantra’. He is also known for composing in Sanskrit a prayer of eight verses, known as ‘Siksastakam.’

News Source: AIR

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