# Śrīla Prabhupāda's Appearance Day > Vyāsa-pūjā — Honoring the representative of Vyāsadeva **Observed:** The day after Kṛṣṇa Janmāṣṭamī (Nandotsava) --- ## Significance His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda appeared in this world on September 1, 1896 (Nandotsava, the day after Janmāṣṭamī), in Calcutta, India. His appearance on this most auspicious day—the celebration of Kṛṣṇa's birth—was a sign of his divine mission. The appearance day of the spiritual master is called Vyāsa-pūjā because the *guru* is the representative of Vyāsadeva, the compiler of the Vedic literatures. By honoring the spiritual master, one honors the entire disciplic succession. --- ## His Mission Śrīla Prabhupāda single-handedly brought Kṛṣṇa consciousness to the Western world. At the age of 69, with forty rupees and a trunk of books, he sailed to America on the order of his spiritual master. In just twelve years, he: - Circled the globe fourteen times - Established 108 temples on six continents - Initiated over 5,000 disciples - Translated and published over 80 volumes of Vedic literature - Founded the International Society for Krishna Consciousness --- ## Observance - **Fasting:** Until noon (or as temple schedule) - **Abhiṣeka:** Ceremonial bathing of Śrīla Prabhupāda's mūrti - **Offerings:** Written homages from disciples and followers - **Feast:** Grand prasādam distribution - **Readings:** From Śrīla Prabhupāda's books and biography --- ## His Divine Qualities > He reasons ill who tells that Vaiṣṇavas die, > When thou art living still in sound! > The Vaiṣṇavas die to live, and living try > To spread the holy name around. > > — Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura Śrīla Prabhupāda lives forever through his books, his teachings, and the society of devotees he created. His appearance day is a time to renew our commitment to his mission. --- ## Related - [[extra/video|Video: Śrīla Prabhupāda]] - [[letters|Letters from Śrīla Prabhupāda]] - [[spoken|Lectures and Conversations]] - [[wiki/events/srila-prabhupada-disappearance|Śrīla Prabhupāda's Disappearance Day]] --- *See [[wiki/events/events|Vaiṣṇava Calendar]] for this year's date.*