The Journey of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

1922 — The Beginning of a Lifelong Mission

In 1922, Srila Prabhupada met Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura in Calcutta. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura recognised the educated young man before him and encouraged him to dedicate his life to presenting Vedic knowledge in English.

At that time, Srila Prabhupada was a young householder with family and professional responsibilities. He could not immediately devote himself fully to the mission, but the instruction of his spiritual master remained within his heart.

1933 — Formal Initiation

In 1933, Srila Prabhupada formally accepted Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura as his spiritual master through initiation at Allahabad. His connection with the Gaudiya Matha continued, and his service increasingly included writing, assisting the mission and communicating its teachings.

1935 — Writing, Publishing and the Importance of Books

Srila Prabhupada's writing became an important part of his devotional service. In the mid-1930s, he wrote in glorification of his spiritual master, and his writings were published in The Harmonist, the English-language journal associated with the Gaudiya Matha.

Srila Prabhupada later recalled that during a visit to Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura at Radha-kunda in 1935, he received important instructions concerning the construction of temples and the publication of books. Srila Prabhupada remembered this emphasis on publishing for many years.

For Srila Prabhupada, writing was not merely an intellectual exercise. It became an instrument of service—a way of carrying the teachings of Krishna and the instructions of his spiritual master to people he might never personally meet.

1936 — A Sacred Final Instruction

In 1936, as Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura's health declined, Srila Prabhupada wrote to his spiritual master asking for a specific service. The reply reaffirmed the instruction first given in 1922: he should preach in the English language.

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura departed from this world on 31 December 1936. Srila Prabhupada carried the instruction of his spiritual master with deep determination, contemplating how he could fulfil it despite limited means.

1944 — One Devotee. One Instruction. One Offering.

In 1944, Srila Prabhupada took a decisive step toward fulfilling his spiritual master's desire. He began publishing Back to Godhead, an English-language fortnightly magazine devoted to presenting spiritual knowledge and the teachings of Krishna consciousness.

There was no large publishing organisation behind the project. Srila Prabhupada personally took responsibility for the publication. He wrote, edited, prepared the manuscripts, checked proofs and distributed copies. The publication was a direct expression of his determination to carry out the instruction he had received.

The first issue was launched in 1944, on the appearance day of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura. From its beginning, Back to Godhead was therefore inseparably connected with Srila Prabhupada's service to his guru.

Back to Godhead was not simply a magazine. It was an offering—a humble attempt to fulfil the desire of Srila Prabhupada's spiritual master and to make the timeless message of Krishna available to English-speaking readers.

1954 — Retirement from Family Life

Srila Prabhupada gradually withdrew from family responsibilities and, in 1954, retired from family life. He increasingly dedicated himself to writing, translating, publishing and preaching.

1959 — Accepting the Renounced Order

In 1959, Srila Prabhupada accepted sannyasa, the renounced order of life. This enabled him to intensify his dedication to the mission of spreading Krishna consciousness and publishing spiritual literature.

The Srimad-Bhagavatam Project

After accepting sannyasa, Srila Prabhupada devoted himself increasingly to translating and publishing Srimad-Bhagavatam. He worked from Vrindavan and Delhi and personally sought support for bringing this major Vaishnava scripture to English-speaking readers. After publishing the first three volumes in India, Srila Prabhupada prepared for the journey that would take him to the West.

1965 — The Journey to the West

On 13 August 1965, at the age of 69, Srila Prabhupada travelled from India to the United States aboard the Jaladuta. He carried his books, personal belongings and, above all, the instruction of his spiritual master. His journey across the ocean marked a turning point in the history of the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition. What had begun as a determined effort to publish and preach in English was now reaching a new continent.

1966 — The Founding of ISKCON

In July 1966, Srila Prabhupada established the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in New York. The mission that had begun with the instruction he received from his spiritual master in 1922 was now becoming an organised worldwide movement. Srila Prabhupada continued to write, translate, lecture, publish books and guide his disciples as Krishna consciousness spread to cities around the world.

Through the years, Back to Godhead became an important vehicle for sharing the teachings of Srila Prabhupada and the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition. Its pages have explored Krishna consciousness, Bhagavad-gita, Srimad-Bhagavatam, bhakti-yoga, spiritual life, the nature of the self, the relationship between the individual and the Supreme, and the practical application of spiritual wisdom in everyday life.

The original issues published by Srila Prabhupada from 1944 onward remain an important part of the publication's history. They allow readers to encounter the message in the writings and editorial work of the founder himself.

What began in 1944 as Srila Prabhupada's humble offering continues today through readers, writers, devotees and seekers around the world.

The technology has changed. The languages have expanded. The way people read has changed. But the purpose remains the same: to make the timeless wisdom of Krishna consciousness accessible to people everywhere.

Today, BTG Global carries this legacy into the digital age—bringing the teachings, stories, wisdom and spiritual insights associated with Back to Godhead to a new generation of readers across the world.

From a small publication prepared in India in 1944 to a global digital platform reaching seekers everywhere—the journey continues.