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His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda’s mission can be summed up in his own words:
“To preach the message of Lord Caitanya all over the world.”
Śrīla Prabhupāda saw himself as an instrument to fulfill Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s prophecy that the holy name of Kṛṣṇa would be chanted in every town and village.
He taught:
- Chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra as the primary spiritual practice for this age
- Bhakti-yoga (devotional service) as the natural function of the soul
- Love of God (prema) as life’s ultimate goal
He often said:
“I have not manufactured anything. I am simply repeating what Kṛṣṇa has spoken.”
He established ISKCON as a vehicle, not the goal:
Śrīla Prabhupāda founded the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in 1966 as a practical tool to carry out Lord Caitanya’s mission.
His intent was that ISKCON:
- Remain a preaching movement, not an institutionalized religion
- Train devotees in strict sādhana and character
- Cooperate to distribute books, prasādam, and the holy name
He warned repeatedly that bureaucracy and power struggles could derail the mission.
The Hare Krishna Movement 