Abhay became a disciple of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta in 1933 and resolved to carry out his Guru’s request. He wrote a commentary on the Bhagavad-gita, assisted the Gaudiya Matha in its work, and, in 1944, started Back to Godhead, an English fortnightly magazine. Single-handedly, he edited it, typed the manuscripts, checked the galley proofs, and even distributed the individual copies.

Abhay, later known by the honorific A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, spent the next 32 years preparing for his journey to the West.

In 1950, Abhay retired from married life, adopting the vanaprastha order to devote more time to his studies and writing. Later, he took sannyasa and traveled to the holy city of Vrindavana, where he lived in humble circumstances in the historic Radha-Damodara Temple.

In 1965, at the age of sixty-nine, Srila Prabhupada traveled to New York City aboard a cargo ship. The journey was treacherous, and the elderly spiritual teacher suffered two heart attacks aboard the ship. Arriving in the United States with just seven dollars in Indian currency and his translations of sacred Sanskrit texts, Srila Prabhupada began to share the timeless wisdom of Krishna consciousness. His message of peace and goodwill resonated with many young people, some of whom came forward to become serious students of the Krishna tradition.

On July 11, 1966, he officially registered his organization in the state of New York, formally founding the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).

In the eleven years that followed, Srila Prabhupada circled the globe fourteen times on lecture tours, bringing the teachings of Lord Krishna to thousands of people on six continents. Men and women from all backgrounds and walks of life came forward to accept his message, and with their help, Srila Prabhupada established ISKCON centers and projects throughout the world. Under his inspiration, his disciples established temples, rural communities, educational institutions, and started what would become the world’s largest vegetarian food relief program. With the desire to nourish the roots of Krishna consciousness in his homeland, Srila Prabhupada returned to India several times, where he sparked a revival of the Vaishnava tradition. In India, he opened dozens of temples, including large centers in the holy towns of Vrindavan and Mayapur.

In developing rural communities, Srila Prabhupada visited ISKCON’s first farm community in Moundsville, West Virginia, for the first time on May 21, 1969. He had numerous ideas about how to develop the place as a replica of Vrindavan Dhama. In a letter to Hayagriva Dasa (March 1968), Srila Prabhupada wrote, “I am so glad to learn that one gentleman is going to open an ashram in West Virginia, and he has secured a big tract of land, 320 acres, and I wish that this tract of land may be turned into New Vrindaban. You have New York, New England, and so many “New” duplicates of European countries in the USA; why not import New Vrindaban in your country?”

In letters to Hayagriva, Kirtanananda Swami, and others between 1968 and 1973, Srila Prabhupada shared his vision for New Vrindaban and emphasized its vital aspects: cow protection, agriculture, simple village life, a place of pilgrimage (a replica of Vrindavan), a place of higher learning, and ultimately, a place for people to develop their love for Krishna.

Srila Prabhupada's most significant contribution, perhaps, is his books. Highly respected by scholars for their authority, depth, and clarity, they are used as textbooks in numerous college courses. His writings have been translated into over fifty languages. His most prominent works include Bhagavad-gita As It Is, the 30-volume Srimad-Bhagavatam, and the 17-volume Sri Caitanya-caritamrita.

In choosing Prabhupada as his guru, Radhanath Swami felt compelled to shave his matted locks and re-enter Western society with a mission to share the sacred wisdom he had received.

This return exemplifies the form of devotional yoga at the heart of Radhanath Swami’s teachings—a spiritual practice expressed through tangible action, meant to bring about personal fulfillment and benefit the world.

His life is dedicated to helping people find meaning through serving others. "Things can give pleasure to the mind and senses, but only love can give pleasure to the heart. And ultimately, that is what we are looking for."

Today, Radhanath Swami travels the world and has been invited to share timeless wisdom in many forums, including some of the world’s leading academic institutions and corporations, helping millions of people find meaning, purpose, and fulfillment. He is not only a guide but also a community builder, activist, and a New York Times bestselling author.

One of the purposes of ISKCON listed in Srila Prabhupada’s founding documents is "To erect for the members and for society at large a holy place of transcendental pastimes, dedicated to the personality of Krishna." Radhanath Swami had been longing for decades to fulfill Srila Prabhupada’s desires in this regard, and he inspired the devotees at ISKCON Chowpatty (Mumbai) to work toward this goal.

Emphasizing the urgency of the project, Radhanath Swami told the devotees in 2009, "Now our number one priority is developing the farm community. We want to put our best men and resources into developing this project into a wonderful place where we can demonstrate to the whole world the glories of protecting cows and living with respect for and harmony with Mother Earth."

In dedication to the vision of his spiritual master, Radhanath Swami inspired the creation of Govardhan Ecovillage (Home of Sri Sri Radha Vrindavanbihari), a place where there is honor, respect, and affection for all living beings, and a community living with Krishna as the center.

Govardhan Ecovillage (GEV) is situated in the lush green Sahyadri mountain range, close to the Vaitarna River in the Palghar district of Maharashtra. Spread over 140 acres, it is home to several eco-friendly initiatives.

Radhanath Swami’s message is as profound as it is simple: by cultivating a rich inner life of self-awareness and serving others with humility, we can become instruments of compassion and agents of sustainable change in the world.