Understanding the Position and Presence of Srila Prabhupada
UNDERSTANDING THE POSITION AND PRESENCE OF HIS DIVINE GRACE A.C. BHAKTIVEDANTA SWAMI PRABHUPADA, FOUNDER-ACARYA OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS
Let me introduce myself as the Founder-Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. [1]
Srila Prabhupada – Founder Acarya and Origin
The continual recognition of SrilaPrabhupada’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. SrilaPrabhupada’s position and presence in his movement today can be realised in the words directly expressing his desire [2]
"One thing, regarding registering, is that our system is to keep the name of the Founder-Acarya His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada on all registration documents, as well as all stationery, books, and publications."
to always be recognised as the world leader , principal acarya , final authority, founder acarya andorigin. The understanding and recognition of his position as the principal acarya 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-acaryaand 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: 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-acarya. And as soon as the origin becomes a knower, he is life. In a room conversation in 1977, SrilaPrabhupada 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. SrilaPrabhupada’s position cannot be shared, he is the sole acarya and origin of his movement – the only founder. He emphasised on why the term founder-acarya must specifically be used. Even in the legal sense , the movement derives legitimation and full authority from him and his words are to always be made the ultimate and overruling decision: “In that trust you must be very careful to make sure that my name is registered there as the founder-acarya 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.”
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