ISKCON Founder Srila Prabhupada Honored with ‘Vishwa Guru’ Title at Maha Kumbh. A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder and acharya of ISKCON, also known as the Worldwide Hare Krishna Movement, was present during the holy event of Maha Kumbh. There, he was honored with the title of ‘Vishwa Guru’ by Akhila Bhartiya Akhara Parishad (ABAP). Please read the full article to learn the full details.
ISKCON Founder Srila Prabhupada Honored with ‘Vishwa Guru’ Title at Maha Kumbh
During the auspicious event of Mahakumbh Mela in Prayagraj, the founder and acharya of ISKCON and the Worldwide Hare Krishna Movement, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, was honored with the significant title of ‘Vishwa Guru.’ He was bestowed this title by Akhila Bhartiya Akhara Parishad. It is the first time in history that such an honor has been given to any person.
When this title was being awarded, there were many great spiritual leaders present, such as Mahant Ravindra Puri Ji Maharaj, President of Akhara Parishad, Swami Kailashanand Giri Ji Maharaj; Acharya Mahamandaleshwar of Niranjani Akhara; and Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Avadhoot Arun Giri Ji Maharaj of Awahan Akhara.
The deity of Srila Prabhupada was offered an elaborate abhishek, Pushpa vrishti (showering of flowers), a grand aarti, and auspicious paraphernalia accompanied by sacred chants.
Acknowledgment Voices
Shri Madhu Pandit Dasa said, “It brings me and the entire ISKCON community immense joy and happiness to see that Srila Prabhupada, our Acharaya, has been offered the title of Vishwa Guru in the divine atmosphere of Maha Kumbh Mela. It is a matter of pride for us that Srila Prabhupada has been recognised and honored for making people accept Sanatana Dharma, or timeless ancient wisdom, Bhartiya culture and the way of life beyond the shores of India. His pioneering efforts to propagate the message of Lord Krishna have transformed lakhs of people all over the world.”
Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Kailashanand Giri Ji Maharaj remarked, “The title ‘Vishwa Guru’ finds its true significance today as it is being conferred upon Srila Prabhupada. His dedication to spreading the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita and Sanatana Dharma is nothing short of divine grace. Though this honor should have ideally been given to him much earlier, it is our great fortune that we can do so now in this sacred confluence of Triveni. The entire Sanatani community worldwide celebrates this moment.”
Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Avadhoot Arun Giri Ji Maharaj shared his reflections: “At a time when India faced numerous challenges, Srila Prabhupada took it upon himself to carry the light of Sanatana Dharma across the globe. It is our privilege to bestow this title upon him in the presence of revered saints and leaders of the Akhara Parishad.”
About Srila Prabhupada
He was born in 1896 in Calcutta to a pious family. He devoted his entire life to the service of Lord Krishna. He practiced an exemplary grihastha (householder) life while actively preaching Krishna consciousness. Afterwards, he took sannyasa and became the 32nd Acharya in the pure Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition. He set out to spread the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita and the practice of bhakti-yoga to the West at the age of 69. He never wavered from his mission in the face of overwhelming adversity.
The Accomplishments of Srila Prabhupada
Although it would be impossible to list all of Srila Prabhupada’s significant accomplishments, some of them are as follows:
- He founded ISKCON by uniting people from all walks of life in Krishna consciousness.
- He translated and commented on sacred Vedic scriptures, including the Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam, making them available to a global audience.
- He motivated millions of people to follow Sanatana Dharma, transforming lives worldwide.
- He built more than a hundred temples, establishing centers for spiritual learning and community.
- He pioneered Krishna prasadam distribution, guaranteeing that sanctified food was available to all, exhibiting compassion and care.
- He distributed over 503,385,383 Krishna Consciousness books worldwide in 87 languages.
- He constructed more than a thousand ashrams, schools, temples, organisations, and cow protection farming societies across the world.
- He founded the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, which claims to be the world’s largest publisher of ancient and classical Vaishnava religious texts.
- He introduced Vedic Gurukul education to a Western audience.
- He founded the religious colony New Vrindavan in West Virginia.
- He authored more than 70 volumes on Vedantic philosophy and religion.
- He also introduced the Jagannatha Ratha Yatra in the West.
- He delivered approximately 1,989 discourses on Shrimad-Bhagavatam, Bhagavad Gita, etc.
- He initiated thousands of disciples, awarding sannyasa initiations.