The Great Personality

Innovation by an acarya does not adulterate the teachings of Lord Caitanya. The goal remains the same, but only the means are modified to suit the time, place and circumstances. This enthusiasm for preaching is the very essence of the teachings of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who Himself even preached to the animals in the forests. Srila Prabhupada's success in doing what no other spiritual master has ever done is simply due to his unflinching dependence on Lord Krsna and the previous acaryas. The evidence is found on page after page of Srila Prabhupada's books. For example, he writes in his preface to Bhagavad-gita As It Is:

"Our Krsna consciousness movement is genuine, historically authorized, natural and transcendental due to its being based on Bhagavad-gita As It Is. It is gradually becoming the most popular movement in the entire world, especially amongst the younger generation. It is becoming more and more interesting to the older generation also. Older gentlemen are becoming interested, so much so that the fathers and grandfathers of my disciples are encouraging us by becoming life members of our great society, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. In Los Angeles many fathers and mothers used to come to see me to express their feelings of gratitude for my leading the Krsna consciousness movement throughout the entire world. Some of them said that it is greatly fortunate for the Americans that I have started the Krsna consciousness movement in America. But actually the original father of this movement is Lord Krsna Himself, since it was started a very long time ago but is coming down to human society by disciplic succession. If I have any credit in this connection, it does not belong to me personally, but it is due to my eternal spiritual master, His Divine Grace Om Visnupada Paramahamsa Parivrajakacarya 108 Sri Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Maharaja Prabhupada."

Now Srila Prabhupada has brought many of his disciples to India so that his Godbrothers can see the results of his preaching for themselves, and a few of them are beginning to recognize that he is actually the successor to Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura.

While this article was first being written, preparations for the first great Mayapur pilgrimage were in full swing. On land purchased at the birth site of Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Srila Prabhupada has initiated a project to build the tallest and most majestic temple in India, as well as a Vedic University for students from all over the world. Already one building has been completed. For this year's festival, devotees from ISKCON centers throughout the world will have gathered for nine days of chanting, processions, lectures, films, exhibitions, organizational meetings and prasada feasting, as well as the bliss of associating with their beloved spiritual master and each other. Lord Krsna says in Bhagavad-gita that His devotees like very much to be together.

"The thoughts of My pure devotees dwell in Me, their lives are surrendered to Me, and they derive great satisfaction and bliss enlightening one another and conversing about Me." (Bg. 10.9)

It cannot be disputed that the great personality predicted by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura is none other than His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. He has traveled and preached around the world almost 10 times, he has opened centers in America, Europe, South America, India, the Far East, Australia and also Africa, and he has written a score of best-selling books on the teachings of Lord Caitanya. It is quite understandable why Srila Prabhupada dedicates one of those books (aptly entitled Teachings of Lord Caitanya) as follows:

DEDICATED TO

The Sacred Service
of
SRILA SACCIDANANDA
BHAKTIVINODA THAKURA

Who Initiated The Teachings of Lord Caitanya
in
The Western World
(McGill University, Canada)
in 1896

The Year Of My Birth