Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, a well-known scholar and devotee and the founder of sixty-four temples across India, took a liking to the learned young man and at their first meeting asked him to spread Vedic knowledge in English. Prabhupada became his disciple and eleven years later (1933) he received formal initiation in Allahabad.

In the years that followed, Srila Prabhupada, under the direction of his spiritual master, wrote many articles on the philosophy of Krishna consciousness; he also supported Srila Bhaktisiddhanta's Gaudiya-matha movement in her work.

In 1944 he began publishing an English language semi-monthly magazine called Back to Godhead, which he wrote, produced, financed and distributed unaided. This magazine is continued today by Prabhupada's disciples and is published in many languages.

In the fall of 1965, Srila Prabhupada traveled to the United States aboard the cargo steamer Jaladuta to fulfill his spiritual master's mission. He was completely on his own for the first year in an effort to build his God Consciousness movement. Living a simple life, he lectured whenever and wherever he had the opportunity, and gradually aroused some interest in his teachings.

In July 1966, Srila Prabhupada was still operating alone from a humble New York shop, and yet he was establishing a spiritual society for people from all over the world to join. He called it the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).

At the time of inception, Srila Prabhupada had not gained a single serious follower.

Today, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness comprises more than 300 temples, farm communities, schools and restaurants, and its congregation numbers in the millions.