The International Society for Krishna consciousness is a denomination of the Gaudiya Vaishnava faith, a devotional tradition based on the teachings of Bhagavad-gita and the Bhagavat Purana (Srimad Bhagavatam). The precepts and practices of the members of the present day ISKCON were taught by the 15th century saint and religious reformer Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and His principle associates, the si
x Goswamis of Vrindavana. HDG Srila Prabhupada
Sri Chaitanya, whom devotees revere as a direct incarnation of Lord Krishna, gave a powerful impetus for a bhakti (devotional) movement of Krishna followers throughout India. It was under His direction that hundreds of volumes on the philosophy of Krishna consciousness were compiled. The movement diminished somewhat until the 19th century, when an outstanding Vaishnava theologian, Bhaktivinoda Thakura, again revived Krishna consciousness. His son, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami, became the guru of Srila Prabhupada and instructed him to make the spreading of Krishna consciousness all around the world the mission of his life. After arriving at New York City in September 1965, Srila Prabhupada struggled alone for the first year to establish his God conscious movement. He lived simply, lectured whenever and wherever he got opportunity, and gradually began to attract some small interest in his teachings. In July of 1966, while still working alone from an obscure storefront in New York City’s Lower East Side, Srila Prabhupada nonetheless founded a spiritual society intended for worldwide participation.
