A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada arrived in New York in 1865 following the request of his spiritual master to propagate Gaudiya Vaishnavism philosophy in the west. His early contact with the hippies in New York sparked interest in this ancient spiritual tradition and started the movement known as the “Hare Krishna Movement” or ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness). Srila Prabhupada continued his prolific translation work up until his earthly departure in 1977, leaving us a treasure of Vedic scriptures (originally written in Sanskrit or Bengali), most of these translations had been previously unavailable in the west.
Although the ISKCON movement suffered early attacks by anti-cult groups, several court cases involving corrupt members and in recent years have faced internal power struggles, Srila Prabhupada’s book translations and commentaries have been well received and praised by university scholars all over the world. His mission of translating and publishing classics like Bhagavad Gita (Song of God), Srimad Bhagavatam, Chaitanya Caritamrita, Nectar of Devotion and more than 80 books is a complete success.