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| | The ''Bhagavad-gītā'' was important to Śrīla Prabhupāda. He saw it as the perfect book to convey Krishna consciousness, as it consists of the Lord's own words and His interactions with His loving devotee. When Prabhupāda arrived in New York in 1965, he gave priority to his work on the ''Gītā''. In India he had already completed a translation, spanning well over a thousand pages, but it was stolen. In New York, he met with another loss: his typewriter, cassette recorder, and several books were taken from him. But he was resilient and determined to complete his work. In 1967 he finished the new manuscript, again over a thousand pages, and resolved to get a major publisher so that his message would be heard throughout the world. Several friends and disciples tried to find a publisher, but until Brahmananda Das came , did it bear some fruits. He didn't know anything about publishing, but Prabhupāda put the manuscript in his hands, saying, 'You must get this published.' The opportunity arrived when the devotees received an order from the Macmillan office for one of their records, released in 1967. Macmillan was one of the biggest publishers in the world at that time and they were based just a few blocks away from the temple. Prabhupāda gazed knowingly into his disciple's eyes and gave the following directives: "Do not mail out this order as we do with others. Instead, bring the record to Macmillan's offices and hand deliver it to the person who sent us the letter. "When you deliver the album," Prabhupāda continued, "tell them that you are a disciple of a guru from India and that he has translated the ''Bhagavad-gītā'. They will publish it. Do not worry." |
| [[Category:Society, Culture and Human Experience]]
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| <big>'''UNDERSTANDING THE POSITION AND PRESENCE OF HIS DIVINE GRACE A.C. BHAKTIVEDANTA SWAMI PRABHUPADA, FOUNDER-ACARYA OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS'''</big>
| | The next day, dressed in suit and tie, Brahmananda made his way up to the Macmillan skyscraper. His expectations as large as the building itself, he was disappointed when he learned that the order for the album had come from a clerk in the mailroom. So Brahmananda dutifully delivered the album and had pretty much given up hope that his teacher's ''Gītā'' would get published. Just then, in the midst of polite small talk with the clerk, a young executive happened to appear, hoping to collect his mail. Brahmananda seized the moment and introduced himself as a disciple of a Guru from India, who has just finished the translation of the ''Bhagavad-gītā''. |
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| :'''"Let me introduce myself as the Founder-Ācārya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness." <ref>See [https://vanisource.org/w/index.php?title=710420_-_Letter_to_Unknown_written_from_Bombay&hl=Founder-Ācārya Letter to Unknown written from Bombay]</ref><br>[[Vanisource:710420 - Letter to Unknown written from Bombay|- Śrīla Prabhupāda in a letter dated April 20, 1971 (Bombay)]]'''
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| | "What?" Wade responded, incredulously. "We've just published a full line of spiritual books, and we were looking for a ''Bhagavad-gītā'' to fill out the set." |
| ==='''Śrīla Prabhupāda – Founder Ācārya and Origin'''===
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| The continual recognition of Śrīla Prabhupāda's central position as the foundation of the ISKCON movement, would lead to - a strong connection with the disciplic succession, harmony among various branches of his movement, togetherness among all followers, cooperation born out of love for him and a bonafide path to loving devotional service. Śrīla Prabhupāda's position and presence in his movement today can be realised in the words directly expressing his desire <ref>See [https://vanisource.org/wiki/Letter_to_Deoji_Punja_--_Bombay_13_November,_1974?hl=Founder-Ācārya Letter to Deoji Punja - Bombay 13 November, 1974]</ref>
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| :'''"One thing, regarding registering, is that our system is to keep the name of the Founder-Ācārya His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda on all registration documents, as well as all stationery, books, and publications." - [[Vanisource:741113 - Letter to Deoji Punja written from Bombay|Letter to Deoji Punja written from Bombay]]
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| to always be recognised as the world leader, <ref>See [https://vanisource.org/wiki/Letter_to_Attorney_General's_Department_--_Bombay_26_November,_1974?hl=Founder-Ācārya Letter to Attorney General's Department - Bombay 26 November, 1974]</ref>
| | And the rest is History…… After printing the abridged version of the ''Bhagavad-gītā'' in 1968, The Macmillan printing company published the full complete edition of the ''Bhagavad-gītā'' as It Is in 1972. Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and commentary are not merely his own; they bring to bear the insights of his predecessors in disciplic succession. And so he titled his edition "As It Is." The name boldly announces to his readers that this is not yet another interpretation but rather the original message of the book's initial speaker: Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. |
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| :'''"This is to inform you that I, the undersigned, am the Founder-Ācārya of ISKCON and the world leader for all of its branches." - [[Vanisource:741126 - Letter to Attorney General's Department written from Bombay|Letter to Attorney General's Department written from Bombay]]'''
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| principal ācārya, <ref>See [https://vanisource.org/wiki/680611_-_Letter_to_Mr._J.A._Hamilton_Jr_written_from_Montreal?hl=I%20am%20the%20principal%20Ācārya Letter to Mr. J.A. Hamilton Jr written from Montreal] </ref>
| | Fast forward to 2022, Prabhupāda's ''Gītā'' went on to become the most important edition in the modern world, outselling both popular and scholarly translations. Claiming millions of readers in over sixty languages, from Polish to Japanese, German to Azerbaijani, Danish to Croatian, English to numerous Indian languages, Śrīla Prabhupāda's ''Gītā'' is a phenomenon. It can be found in homes, bookstores, research libraries, and academic institutions around the world. |
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| :'''"I am the principal Ācārya or Chief Minister of the organization." - [[Vanisource:680611 - Letter to Mr. J.A. Hamilton Jr written from Montreal|Letter to Mr. J.A. Hamilton Jr written from Montreal]]'''
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| final authority, founder ācārya <ref>See [https://vanisource.org/wiki/760729_-_Letter_to_Mr._B._J._Murdock_written_from_Paris?hl=as%20the%20Founder-Ācārya. Letter to Mr. B. J. Murdock written from Paris]</ref>
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| :'''"As the Founder-Ācārya and final authority on all ISKCON matters please be informed that until you receive authorization from me you may kindly wait in these matters of loans until further notice from me." - [[Vanisource:760729 - Letter to Mr. B. J. Murdock written from Paris|Letter to Mr. B. J. Murdock written from Paris]]'''
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| and origin. The understanding and recognition of his position as the principal ācārya can be derived directly from his clear instructions. He states how he must be understood as the life of this movement. He also further qualifies what it means to be the founder-ācārya and origin. His position encompasses that he is directly or indirectly informed of everything concerning this movement. This may also be perceived as informing or aligning all our actions to his instructions and words:<ref>See [https://vanisource.org/wiki/Lecture_on_SB_1.1.1_--_Caracas,_February_21,_1975?hl=founder-ācārya. Lecture SB 01.01.01 - Caracas] </ref>
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| :'''"Just like if I am taken as the origin of this Krsna consciousness movement, that means I know everything directly and indirectly of all this movement. If I do not know directly or indirectly everything of this movement, then I cannot be called the founder-ācārya. And as soon as the origin becomes a knower, he is life." - [[Vanisource:750221 - Lecture SB 01.01.01 - Caracas|Lecture SB 01.01.01 - Caracas]]'''
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| In a room conversation in 1977, Śrīla Prabhupāda further expands how for general understanding, the founder may be understood as a director, but the common connotation of the term director must not be mistaken to be applicable here. Śrīla Prabhupāda's position cannot be shared, he is the sole ācārya and origin of his movement – the only founder. He emphasised on why the term founder-ācārya must specifically be used.<ref> See [https://vanisource.org/wiki/Room_Conversation_about_BTG_the_Moon_--_February_18,_1977,_Mayapura Conversation C - Mayapur]</ref>
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| :'''Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: It says: His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami, founder and director of the . . .'''
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| :'''Brahmānanda: No ‘Prabhupāda'?'''
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| :'''TamālaKṛṣṇa:'A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda, founder and director of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement.''''
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| :'''Prabhupāda: Of course, ācārya means director. That is another . . . but why they . . . (indistinct) . . .?'''
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| :'''Satsvarūpa:One difficulty is later in the issue they referred to Kīrtanānanda Mahārāja as ‘Founder and director.' So it makes him . . . ‘Of New Vrindaban.' So you're director and he's director, so you're equal. They're described as equals. But if you were ācārya, he could not be also called ācārya of New Vrindaban.'''
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| :'''Prabhupāda: No, it should be continued, 'ācārya.''''
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| :- [[Vanisource:770218 - Conversation C - Mayapur|'''Conversation C - Mayapur''']]
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| Even in the legal sense, <ref> See [https://vanisource.org/w/index.php?title=741030_-_Letter_to_Whom_it_may_concern_written_from_Calcutta Letter to Whom it may concern written from Calcutta]</ref>
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| :'''"As the Founder-Ācārya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, I authorize that the Society may incorporate under the Religious Societies Act of 1860 separately in West Bengal as the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (Calcutta) with myself as Founder-Ācārya." - [[Vanisource:741030 - Letter to Whom it may concern written from Calcutta|Letter to Whom it may concern written from Calcutta]] '''
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| the movement derives legitimation and full authority <ref> See [https://vanisource.org/w/index.php?title=741229_-_Letter_to_Mr._Punja_written_from_Bombay&hl=founder-ācārya Letter to Mr. Punja written from Bombay]</ref>
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| :'''Before the finalization of registration takes place I would request you to send me one copy of the constitution for our society there so I can approve it finally. My name should be there as the founder-ācārya, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami. I should have full authority in all matters. - [[Vanisource:741229 - Letter to Mr. Punja written from Bombay|Letter to Mr. Punja written from Bombay]]'''
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| from him and his words are to always be made the ultimate and overruling decision:<ref> See [https://vanisource.org/wiki/741228_-_Letter_to_Kurusrestha_written_from_Bombay Letter to Kurusrestha written from Bombay]</ref>
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| :'''"In that trust you must be very careful to make sure that my name is registered there as the founder-ācārya and that I am to be the ultimate authority. In other words, in any case of necessity of vetoing or cancelling any decision made by the other trustees, I should be able to do like that. My decision should over-rule all the other trustees combined." - [[Vanisource:741228 - Letter to Kurusrestha written from Bombay|Letter to Kurusrestha written from Bombay]]'''
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| ==='''Śrīla Prabhupāda – The Tattva-darsi Siksha-guru'''===
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| Our understanding of Śrīla Prabhupāda can be derived from the understanding we have received from him. In line with this understanding, on March 12, 2013, the GBC released a statement on the position of Śrīla Prabhupāda as the pre-eminent siksha guru. <ref> See [https://iskconnews.org/gbc-statement-on-srila-prabhupadas-preeminent-position,3748/ GBC Statement on Śrīla Prabhupāda's Preeminent Position] </ref>
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| :'''Statement of the Governing Body Commission (GBC) of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). Adopted March 9, 2013. - [https://iskconnews.org/gbc-statement-on-srila-prabhupadas-preeminent-position,3748 GBC Statement on Śrīla Prabhupāda's Preeminent Position]
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| Moreover, in the Krsna book,<ref> See [https://vanisource.org/wiki/Krsna_The_Supreme_Personality_of_Godhead_(1970) Krsna The Supreme Personality of Godhead (1970)]</ref> a siksha guru is referred to as the spiritual master who instructs the disciple about spiritual matters and such a guru is recognised as the bonafide representative of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Śrīla Prabhupāda states that Krishna helps us from within as caitya guru and He expands Himself externally as siksha guru and diksha guru. Therefore, whatever is instructed by the caitya guru internally may be confirmed by the instructor externally and thereby one's progress becomes complete.<ref> See [https://vanisource.org/wiki/690521_-_Letter_to_Sivananda_written_from_New_Vrindaban,_USA Letter to Sivananda written from New Vrindaban, USA]</ref>
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| :'''"Regarding your question of Paramatma: you are fortunate enough for your sincere service, Krishna as Paramatma Who is sitting within your heart is now dictating. Krishna is so kind that He wants to help us as Spiritual Master in two ways. He helps us from within as Caitya Guru and He expands Himself externally as Siksha Guru (as instructor) and diksha Guru (initiator). So the principle is that whatever you are instructed by the Chaitya Guru internally may be confirmed by the instructor or initiator externally. Then your progress will be complete." - [[Vanisource:690521 - Letter to Sivananda written from New Vrindaban, USA|Letter to Sivananda written from New Vrindaban, USA]]
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| And although siksha gurus can be many, Śrīla Prabhupāda is the pre-eminent siksha guru and the ultimate authority.
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| The acceptance of his position as our ultimate authority can be substantiated by what Śrīla Prabhupāda gave us, as a definition of who can be recognised as an ultimate authority. His position in the movement today can be realised not only through his words directly expressing his desire to always be recognised as the origin, final authority and founder ācārya, but also from scriptural understanding of him being the ultimate authority or tattva darsi. A good starting point is to study the term tattva-darsi. In the purport to Srimad Bhagavatam 5.15.4, Śrīla Prabhupāda states that the word tattva-darsirefers to one who has perfectly realized the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Such a person can become a guru and propound Vaiṣṇava philosophy all over the world.<ref> See [https://vanisource.org/wiki/SB_5.15.4 SB_5.15.4 Srimad Bhagavatam 5.15.4]</ref>
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| :'''As confirmed in Bhagavad-gītā (4.34), upadekṣyantitejñānaṁjñāninas tattva-darśinaḥ: "one who has seen the truth can impart knowledge." The word tattva-darśī refers to one who has perfectly realized the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Such a person can become a guru and propound Vaiṣṇava philosophy all over the world. - [[Vanisource:SB 5.15.4|Purport to Srimad Bhagavatam 5.15.4]]'''
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| Śrīla Prabhupāda further clarifies what are the qualities of an authority and why a tattva-darsiis to be considered authoritative - it is because he is very pure and uncontaminated,<ref> See [https://vanisource.org/wiki/731116_-_Lecture_-_Delhi 731116 - Lecture - Delhi]</ref>
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| :'''"So according to Vedic scripture, a tattva-darśī should be very pure, uncontaminated. Therefore, generally we go to the qualified Brāhmaṇa, satyaṁśamodamastitikṣāārjavam, jñānaṁvijñānamāstikyaṁ brahma-karma svabhāva-jam." - [[Vanisource:731116 - Lecture - Delhi|731116 - Lecture - Delhi]]'''
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| knower of the absolute truth, complete in knowledge, self-realised soul and seer of the truth. Such a person is capable of propounding transcendental knowledge all over the world as the ultimate guru. The aspect of tattva-darsi is very important and one should accept as ultimate authority, a guru who is tattva-darsi and who is above the bodily concept of life:
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| :'''This word tattva is very important. Unless one is tattva-darsi, there is no use to take instruction from him. Useless waste of time. Tattva-darśi means... Kṛṣṇa says in another place, manuṣyāṇāṁsahasreṣukaścidyatatisiddhaye (BG 7.3). Siddhi means liberated, means who has no more the bodily concept of life. <ref> See [https://vanisource.org/wiki/750918_-_Lecture_SB_06.02.15_-_Vrndavana 750918 - Lecture SB 06.02.15 - Vrndavana]</ref> - [[Vanisource:750918 - Lecture SB 06.02.15 - Vrndavana|Lecture SB 06.02.15 - Vrndavana]] '''
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| The knowledge of the Vedic scriptures cannot be understood directly and therefore, there is a need to approach atattva-darsi.It is just like when Sukadeva Gosvami, atattva-darsi was approached by Pariksit Maharaja. Such personalities aresudhyanti or purified. <ref> See [https://vanisource.org/wiki/760911_-_Lecture_SB_01.07.12_-_Vrndavana 760911 - Lecture SB 01.07.12 - Vrndavana]</ref> The self-realized soul can impart knowledge because he has seen the truth. Therefore, unless one is tattva-darsi, in complete knowledge of the Absolute Truth, one cannot describe the activities of the Personality of Godhead." <ref> See [https://vanisource.org/wiki/SB_8.24.53 Purport to Srimad Bhagavatam 8.24.53]</ref> Given that it is little chance of spiritual advancement recommended that one approach the tattva-darsi to receive transcendental knowledge, it is repeatedly specified that spiritual advancement is actually dependent on taking shelter of such a tattva-darsi. For knowledge we have to go to the right person - pranipatena, the one who has actually seen or experienced the Absolute Truth and unless one finds out such a person who has actually seen the Absolute Truth through spiritual eyes or who has experienced what the Absolute Truth is, there is very little chance of spiritual advancement. <ref> See [https://vanisource.org/wiki/760613_-_Conversation_-_Detroit Lecture on BG 4.34-38 -- New York, August 17, 1966]</ref>,<ref>See [https://vanisource.org/wiki/760613_-_Conversation_-_Detroit Room Conversation with Mother and Sons - June 13, 1976, Detroit]</ref> Śrīla Prabhupāda recommends that a seeker must learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master, inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. Moreover, in the Bhagavad-gita, Krishna can be seen as providing evidences from the tattva-darsibhiḥ, those who have seen the truth –"they have concluded like that."
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| :'''So this is... Kṛṣṇa, although He is the authority, still, He says that ubhayorapidṛṣṭaḥantaḥtuanayos tattva-darśibhiḥ. He says, "All the tattva-darśī, the knower of the Absolute Truth, they know it very well, and they have decidedSuch personalities aresudhyanti or purified like that." The purpose is that we have to accept the experience of the tattva-darśī, of the seer of the Absolute Truth. That is knowledge.<ref> See [https://vanisource.org/wiki/750216_-_Lecture_BG_02.16_-_Mexico 750216 - Lecture BG 02.16 - Mexico]</ref> - [[Vanisource:750216 - Lecture BG 02.16 - Mexico|Lecture BG 02.16 - Mexico]]'''
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| Furthermore, in philosophical and logical traditions, jnanamaya-yajna is recommended to be the highest yajna and if one actually wants jnana, then he has to first of all find out a person who is tattva-darsi. Thus, using the example of gold, Śrīla Prabhupāda points out how when a person digresses from the ultimate authority, such a person is then cheated. Just like if one wishes to purchase gold, one must know where gold is available and the attempts to purchase gold from a grocer shop is simply hopeless and impossible - then one will be cheated. <ref>See [https://vanisource.org/wiki/660810_-_Lecture_BG_04.24-34_-_New_York 660810 - Lecture BG 04.24-34 - New York] </ref>
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| :'''So from whom you'll have to inquire? From a person who has actually seen what is tattva, what is truth, from him. Therefore I was speaking yesterday, last night, in Hindi, that the tattva is not to be inquired from a pān-wala or biḍi-wala. No. One who has actually seen the tattva, tattva-darśī.<ref> See [https://vanisource.org/wiki/731116_-_Lecture_-_Delhi 731116 - Lecture - Delhi]</ref> - [[Vanisource:731116 - Lecture - Delhi|731116 - Lecture - Delhi]]'''
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| This indicates the need to adhere to bonafideauthority and this is the way of proper understanding. Śrīla Prabhupāda distinguished that although we may give references sometimes in the modern age that such and such professor says such and such, but these individuals are not tattva-darsibhiḥ - they are all speculators. Emphasis must be laid upon the term tattva-darsibhih andŚrīla Prabhupāda instructs that the essence of this termmustbe learnt very nicely in order to distinguish what is authoritative and what is not authoritative or "simply speculation." <ref> See [https://vanisource.org/wiki/730822_-_Lecture_BG_02.16_-_London Lecture on BG 2.16 - London, August 22, 1973]</ref>
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| ==='''Associating with Śrīla Prabhupādathrough His vāṇi'''===
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| It is evident how the association with Śrīla Prabhupāda through his wordsbuilds the very foundation of one's life in devotional service. Association with Śrīla Prabhupāda should not merely be understood as being in his physical presence as association with His words are immensely significant. Śrīla Prabhupāda describes the distinction between vapu and vāṇi. Vapu refers to the physical body and vāṇi means the vibration. The ācāryas, their body is not considered as materiel - arcyeśilā-dhīrguruṣunara-matir. Although the physical body of the ācārya is not present, the vibration should be accepted as his presence – that is real association:
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| :'''So we should associate by the vibration, and not by the physical presence. That is real association. Śabdādanavṛtti. <ref>See [https://vaniquotes.org/wiki/We_should_associate_by_the_vibration,_and_not_by_the_physical_presence._That_is_real_association Lecture on SB 7.9.12 - Montreal, August 18, 1968]</ref> - [[Vanisource:680818 - Lecture SB 07.09.12 - Montreal|Lecture SB 07.09.12 - Montreal]]'''
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| And what is heard from the spiritual master, that is living. <ref>See [https://vanisource.org/wiki/690113_-_Lecture_Excerpt_-_Los_Angeles Lecture Excerpt - Los Angeles]</ref>In the purport to Srimad Bhagavatam 2.9.8, Śrīla Prabhupāda states that the potency of transcendental sound is never minimized because the vibrator is apparently absent. Similarly, the prowess and effect of association with Śrīla Prabhupāda's books, lectures, letters and conversations have the potency as any transcendental sound and he is living in them:
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| :'''"The potency of transcendental sound is never minimized because the vibrator is apparently absent. Therefore Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam or Bhagavad-gītā or any revealed scripture in the world is never to be accepted as an ordinary mundane sound without transcendental potency."<ref> See [https://vaniquotes.org/wiki/Potency_of_transcendental_sound_is_never_minimized_because_the_vibrator_is_apparently_absent Potency of transcendental sound is never minimized because the vibrator is apparently absent]</ref> - [[Vanisource:SB 2.9.8|Purport to Srimad Bhagavatam 2.9.8]]'''
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| :'''Prabhupāda: I will never die.
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| :'''Devotees: Jaya! Hari bol! (laughter)
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| :'''Prabhupāda: I shall live for my books, and you will utilize.<ref>See [https://vaniquotes.org/wiki/I_will_never_die,_I_shall_live_for_my_books,_and_you_will_utilize I will never die, I shall live for my books, and you will utilize]</ref> - [[Vanisource:750716 - Interview - San Francisco|'''750716 - Interview - San Francisco''']]'''
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| And when one tries to serve such an ācārya according to His desire, one does not factually feel any separation from him: <ref>See [https://vanisource.org/wiki/700622_-_Letter_to_Hansadutta_written_from_Los_Angeles 700622 - Letter to Hansadutta written from Los Angeles] </ref>
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| :'''I thank you very much and all the devotees for offering me a garland daily as you were doing when I was physically present. If a disciple is constantly engaged in carrying out the instructions of the Spiritual Master he is supposed to be constantly in company with his Spiritual Master. This is called Vaniseva. So there are two kinds of service to the Spiritual Master. One is called vaniseva and the other is called vapuseva. Vaniseva means as above mentioned, executing the instructions, and vapuseva means physically or personally rendering service. So in the absence of physical presentation of the Spiritual Master the vaniseva is more important. My Spiritual Master, Sarasvati Gosvami Thakur, may appear to be physically not present, but still because I try to serve His instruction I never feel separated from Him. I expect that all of you should follow these instructions. <ref>See [https://vanisource.org/w/index.php?title=700822_-_Letter_to_Karandhara_written_from_Tokyo&hl=physical+presentation+of+the+Spiritual+Master 700822 - Letter to Karandhara written from Tokyo]</ref> - [[Vanisource:700822 - Letter to Karandhara written from Tokyo|700822 - Letter to Karandhara written from Tokyo]]'''
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| Therefore, to carry out the teachings of the ācārya is more important than to worship the form, although none of them should be neglected,<ref>See [https://vanisource.org/wiki/721214_-_Letter_to_Tusta_Krsna_written_from_Ahmedabad 721214 - Letter to Tusta Krsna written from Ahmedabad]</ref> and if we keep to the vāṇi - words, then we remain very fixed up.<ref>See [https://vanisource.org/wiki/750302_-_Lecture_Festival_Appearance_Day,_Bhaktisiddhanta_Sarasvati_-_Atlanta 750302 - Lecture Festival Appearance Day, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati - Atlanta]</ref>
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| Śrīla Prabhupāda, through his vapu and continually with his vāṇi, spreads the message of Lord Chaitanya –the dharma of the golden age, and the extent of his efforts are unprecedented in the history of Vaishnavism. One who preaches thisdharma all over the world is the empowered ācārya – "kali-kālera dharma —kṛṣṇa-nāma-saṅkīrtana, kṛṣṇa-śakti vinā nahe tāra pravartana." <ref> See [https://vanisource.org/wiki/CC_Antya_7.11 Chaitanya Charitamrita Antya 7.11]</ref> Śrīla Prabhupāda empowered by the Lord, is our connection to the disciplic succession, preceded by Lord Krishna. In the purport to Srimad Bhagavatam 1.5.39, it is stated that the Lord reveals His identity gradually to one who has unflinching faith, both in an ācārya and in the Lord.<ref>See [https://vanisource.org/wiki/SB_1.5.39?hl=unflinching%20faith Purport to Srimad Bhagavatam 1.5.39]</ref> Further, in the purport to 3.33.10, it can be confirmed that in the discharge of devotional service, if one has unflinching faith in the instruction of the bona fide spiritual master and follows the rules and regulations, he is sure to be liberated, even within this present body. <ref>See [https://vanisource.org/wiki/SB_3.33.10?hl=unflinching%20faith Purport to Srimad Bhagavatam 3.33.10]</ref>Therefore, attachment to the lotus feet of Śrīla Prabhupāda – our principal and founder ācārya, as well as unflinching faith in and association with his vāṇi are our only means to develop unflinching faith in the Lord, in this process of Krishna-consciousness.
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| ==='''FOOTNOTES'''===
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The Bhagavad-gītā was important to Śrīla Prabhupāda. He saw it as the perfect book to convey Krishna consciousness, as it consists of the Lord's own words and His interactions with His loving devotee. When Prabhupāda arrived in New York in 1965, he gave priority to his work on the Gītā. In India he had already completed a translation, spanning well over a thousand pages, but it was stolen. In New York, he met with another loss: his typewriter, cassette recorder, and several books were taken from him. But he was resilient and determined to complete his work. In 1967 he finished the new manuscript, again over a thousand pages, and resolved to get a major publisher so that his message would be heard throughout the world. Several friends and disciples tried to find a publisher, but until Brahmananda Das came , did it bear some fruits. He didn't know anything about publishing, but Prabhupāda put the manuscript in his hands, saying, 'You must get this published.' The opportunity arrived when the devotees received an order from the Macmillan office for one of their records, released in 1967. Macmillan was one of the biggest publishers in the world at that time and they were based just a few blocks away from the temple. Prabhupāda gazed knowingly into his disciple's eyes and gave the following directives: "Do not mail out this order as we do with others. Instead, bring the record to Macmillan's offices and hand deliver it to the person who sent us the letter. "When you deliver the album," Prabhupāda continued, "tell them that you are a disciple of a guru from India and that he has translated the Bhagavad-gītā'. They will publish it. Do not worry."
The next day, dressed in suit and tie, Brahmananda made his way up to the Macmillan skyscraper. His expectations as large as the building itself, he was disappointed when he learned that the order for the album had come from a clerk in the mailroom. So Brahmananda dutifully delivered the album and had pretty much given up hope that his teacher's Gītā would get published. Just then, in the midst of polite small talk with the clerk, a young executive happened to appear, hoping to collect his mail. Brahmananda seized the moment and introduced himself as a disciple of a Guru from India, who has just finished the translation of the Bhagavad-gītā.
"What?" Wade responded, incredulously. "We've just published a full line of spiritual books, and we were looking for a Bhagavad-gītā to fill out the set."
And the rest is History…… After printing the abridged version of the Bhagavad-gītā in 1968, The Macmillan printing company published the full complete edition of the Bhagavad-gītā as It Is in 1972. Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and commentary are not merely his own; they bring to bear the insights of his predecessors in disciplic succession. And so he titled his edition "As It Is." The name boldly announces to his readers that this is not yet another interpretation but rather the original message of the book's initial speaker: Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Fast forward to 2022, Prabhupāda's Gītā went on to become the most important edition in the modern world, outselling both popular and scholarly translations. Claiming millions of readers in over sixty languages, from Polish to Japanese, German to Azerbaijani, Danish to Croatian, English to numerous Indian languages, Śrīla Prabhupāda's Gītā is a phenomenon. It can be found in homes, bookstores, research libraries, and academic institutions around the world.
