What is Srila Prabhupada's departure for the USA?
His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada left Calcutta for New York on the Jaladuta, a cargo ship of the Scindia Steam Navigation Company. The ship sailed at 9:00 AM on Friday, 13 August 1965. In 2027 the Vaishnava calendar marks his departure on Wednesday, 18 August.
Significance
Srila Prabhupada went to carry out the order of his spiritual master, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, to teach Krishna consciousness in the West. He sailed on a complimentary ticket, with trunks of Srimad-Bhagavatam volumes.
At sea he suffered seasickness first, and then two heart attacks in two days. Lord Krishna appeared to him in a dream, rowing a boat, and told him not to fear. After thirty-five days the ship reached Boston on 17 September 1965, and New York two days later. During the crossing he wrote in his diary:
I have left Bharatabhumi just to execute the order of Sri Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati in pursuance of Lord Chaitanya’s order.
Srila Prabhupada, Jaladuta diary, 10 September 1965, in Srila Prabhupada-lilamrta, Volume One, chapter 12
How to observe it
Mark the day by reading the Jaladuta diary and Markine Bhagavata-dharma, the Bengali prayer Srila Prabhupada wrote at Commonwealth Pier in Boston. Chant a few extra rounds of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra in gratitude. You might also tell one person who has not yet heard of Krishna consciousness about it, for that is the very work he crossed the ocean to begin.
Questions
When is Srila Prabhupada's departure for the USA in 2027?
It falls on Wednesday, 18 August 2027 in the Vaishnava calendar. The Jaladuta itself left Calcutta at 9:00 AM on Friday, 13 August 1965.
Which ship did Srila Prabhupada take to America?
He sailed on the Jaladuta, a cargo ship of the Scindia Steam Navigation Company, travelling in its single passenger cabin from Calcutta to Boston and then New York.
How long did Srila Prabhupada's voyage to America take?
The voyage to Boston took thirty-five days, and the Jaladuta docked there at 5:30 AM on 17 September 1965. The ship reached New York on 19 September.
Why did Srila Prabhupada go to the West?
He went to carry out the order of his spiritual master, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, to spread Krishna consciousness. His Jaladuta diary adds that he was also acting in pursuance of Lord Caitanya's order.
Reviewed by ISKCON Kurukshetra · Updated
Key facts
- Date
- Wednesday, 18 August 2027
- Ship
- Jaladuta, Scindia Steam Navigation Company
- Sailed from
- Calcutta, to Boston and New York
- Voyage to Boston
- Thirty-five days
Seva for this day
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