Answer
When Prabhupada says, “ISKCON is my body,” he means that his mission lives through this organization. Just as we do not want harm to come to our physical body, we should not harm the spiritual master’s body — his mission. His desire to spread Krishna consciousness is invested in this transcendental movement. So when the mission is harmed, it pains him, just as injury to the body causes pain.
This does not mean the legal registration itself is his body. Rather, any organization that genuinely works to fulfill his mission is his body. That body should be cared for and protected. We should not allow māyā to weaken it or obstruct its preaching. Sometimes people say that if there are different groups, ISKCON has “split.” But if both are sincerely preaching Krishna consciousness and serving Prabhupada’s mission, then both are functioning as his body. Prabhupada is not limited to one structure. Just as temples all over the world are separately registered yet not considered a split, any organization serving his mission represents his body.
At times, one part of the body may become dysfunctional, and questions arise — for example, about the role of dīkṣā-guru. Dīkṣā-guru does not simply mean performing an external ceremony like giving a name or beads. According to the traditional definition, a dīkṣā-guru is one who continuously gives transcendental knowledge and guides the conditioned soul step by step, helping remove anarthas and awaken Krishna consciousness. The ceremonial aspects — training, purification, name-giving, and initiation — can be performed by representatives within the institution on behalf of the ācārya. In that sense, everything is done on behalf of Prabhupada.
The distinction between dīkṣā-guru and śikṣā-guru is important. Both give instruction, but the dīkṣā-guru accepts a deeper responsibility — a relationship of obligation, guidance, and commitment to help the disciple progress toward Krishna. A śikṣā-guru may instruct and inspire, but does not necessarily take that full responsibility. That is why tradition speaks of one dīkṣā-guru and many śikṣā-gurus. If everyone is responsible, then effectively no one is responsible. The guru, in the fullest sense, is the one who leads the disciple back to Godhead.
Scripture emphasizes the gravity of this relationship. The spiritual master is to be regarded as good as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and even a slight deviation from this understanding can create disaster in the disciple’s spiritual life. Therefore, the disciple must have complete faith — the same depth of faith in guru as in Krishna. Only then is transcendental knowledge fully transferred to the heart.
Prabhupada created an institution where devotees support one another through association, instruction, and guidance. Senior devotees provide living association; newcomers grow gradually in Krishna consciousness. As one advances, he learns to take deeper shelter of Prabhupada through his teachings and mission. In this way, the structure supports both living guidance and enduring connection to the ācārya.
Thus, when Prabhupada says ISKCON is his body, the essential point is that his mission — spreading Krishna consciousness — is alive through those who serve it. Protecting that mission, cooperating in it, and faithfully following his instructions is how we care for his body.
