Disciplic Succession

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness draws its legitimacy from its place in a long succession of spiritual teachers and disciples (parampara). There are four major disciplic successions (sampradayas), ISKCON belongs to the Brahma Sampradaya, founded by Lord Krishna Himself.

There are many branches to this sampradaya. Our society belongs to the branch founded by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in the 16th century.

The principle is that Vaisnava teachings should be passed on, unchanged, from guru to disciple. The most prominent devotees in this lineage are accepted as acaryas: those who teach by example, who carry the line forward. Listed below are the acaryas since, and including, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

• Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
  - The Six Goswamis of Vrindavana
  - Srila Rupa Goswami
  - Srila Sanatana Goswami
  - Gopal Bhatta Goswami
  - Ragunatha dasa Goswami
  - Ragunatha Batta Goswami
  - Jiva Goswami
  
• Krsnadasa Kaviraj Goswami
• Narottama Dasa Thakura
• Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura
• Srila Baladeva Vidyabhusana
• Jagganathdas Babaji
• Bhaktivinoda Thakura
• Gaurakisora Dasa Babaji
• Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura
• A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

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