International Society of
Krishna Consciousness
(ISKCON)
This religious group is a modern continuation of a movement
that adherents claim predates Hinduism. The central theme is devotion to Krishna
as the highest personality of the Godhead. Devotees state their lineage goes all
the way back to Lord Brahma, creator of this particular universe around 105
trillion earth-years ago. One of the most revered proponents of this worldview
is Caitanya (1486-1534 A.D.), recognized as an avatar ("one who
descends")-a manifestation of both Krishna, and Radha, his chief consort.
Radha is described as a gopi (a shepherdess), who is so overwhelmed with a
longing for Krishna that she leaves all other earthly attachments. Thus, she
becomes the personification of the ecstatic love existing between God and the
soul of every devotee. Radha is also worshipped as a goddess herself.
In 1922 a philosophy and economics major at the Scottish
Churches College named Abhay Charan De was initiated into this worldview. He was
greatly influenced by an Indian Guru and Spiritual Master (Acharya),
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura Goswami
Maharaja, who was spearheading a revival of devotion to Krishna in the early
1900's. At the age of 54, Abhay Charan De withdrew from business and family
associations, only to assume the sannyasa order of life as a renunciate
ten years later. At the age of 70 he came to the Western world and founded
ISKCON. He then became known as His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
Prabhupada. The main source of the religious philosophy of ISKCON is the
Bhagavad-Gita. Other Vedic sacred books are revered.
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