Prabhupada, Bhaktivedanta Svami

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Prabhupada, Bhaktivedanta Svami (1896–1977). Founder (i.e. ācārya) of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. He was born Abhay Charan De in Calcutta. He undertook translation work until he retired in 1959, when he took the saṃnyasin vow which set him free for his mission. In 1965 he went to Boston and established ISKCON. In 1967 he moved to California where the movement began to grow rapidly. In contrast to some other Hindu-based new religions, he discouraged his followers from regarding him as an avatāra, but rather presented himself as one who, like them, was endeavouring to be a servant of God.