His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada was born in 1896 in Calcutta, India. At his initiation in 1933, his spiritual master, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura, named him Abhay Charanaravinda Dasa. After retiring from household life in 1950, Srila Prabhupada deeply studied and translated the Vedic literature and earned the honorific title Bhaktivedanta. In 1965, on the order of his spiritual master, he went to the West to spread Krishna consciousness. He founded the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in New York City in 1966. He opened 108 temples and inspired the formation of traditional Vedic farm communities and schools. He also organized festivals worldwide. His most significant contribution is his books, including his translation and commentaries for Bhagavad-gita, Srimad-Bhagavatam, and Chaitanya-charitamrita. In 1972 Srila Prabhupada founded the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust to publish his books. He left this world in 1977.