“I was sitting alone in Vṛndāvana, writing. My Godbrother insisted to me, ‘Bhaktivedanta Prabhu, you must accept the renounced order of life. Without accepting sannyāsa, nobody can become a preacher.’ My Guru maharaj wanted me to become a preacher, so he forced me through this Godbrother: ‘You accept.’ So, unwillingly I accepted.”
— Śrīla Prabhupāda

These were the humble words of our ācārya. He did not see himself as a great visionary or reformer. He simply saw himself as an obedient servant of his guru. Yet, that “unwilling” acceptance of sannyāsa in 1959 in Mathurā became the spark that lit the fire of a global spiritual revolution.

At that time, Śrīla Prabhupāda had nothing. No wealth. No institution. No disciples. Only the order of his spiritual master and the shelter of Śrī Vṛndāvana-dhāma. Many others had taken saffron robes—some out of frustration, some to retire, some for prestige—but Prabhupāda’s sannyāsa was different. It was born not of escape, but of sacrifice.

What is real sannyāsa?
True sannyāsa is not a change of dress, nor a withdrawal from responsibility. It is not meant for dry renunciation or impersonal speculation. Real sannyāsa means to dedicate one’s life completely for the welfare of others, to carry the burden of suffering souls and return them to Kṛṣṇa.

Just as Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu accepted sannyāsa at a young age so His preaching could reach every heart without offense, Prabhupāda, in the same disciplic line, accepted sannyāsa to fulfill the prophecy that *Kṛṣṇa’s holy name would be heard in every town and village.*

And from that one step of surrender, the impossible became reality. A lone sadhu with no material support crossed the ocean, and within a few years, the holy name resounded across continents. Today, temples, devotees, books, and Harināma-saṅkīrtana are spread worldwide—all sprouting from that one act of surrender on this sacred day.

This is our sampadāya, this is our paramparā
From Lord Caitanya, the Six Gosvāmīs, Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura, to Śrīla Prabhupāda—the current of renunciation, compassion, and preaching flows like a river. Prabhupāda’s life shows us that sannyāsa is not rejection, but the highest form of service and compassion.

On this day, let us bow our heads in gratitude to Śrīla Prabhupāda, who accepted sannyāsa not to save himself, but to save the world. His sannyāsa was not the end—it was the beginning of the golden age of Harināma.

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Prabhupāda & Paramparā Quotes

“Sannyāsa does not mean stopping work. Sannyāsa means beginning real work—preaching Kṛṣṇa consciousness.” — Śrīla Prabhupāda

“The real meaning of sannyāsa is not to think, ‘I will be free from suffering.’ Real sannyāsa means, ‘I will take the suffering of others and give them Kṛṣṇa.’” — Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura

“A Vaiṣṇava is he who has no desire for his own happiness, but who lives only for the happiness of others.” — Caitanya-caritāmṛta

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All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda, whose sannyāsa changed the destiny of the world.