What is the meaning of the word 'ISKCON' and what are its Seven Purposes?'इस्कॉन' (ISKCON) शब्द का अर्थ क्या है और इसके सात उद्देश्य क्या हैं?

ISKCON is an acronym for the *International Society for Krishna Consciousness*. When Srila Prabhupada incorporated the society in New York City in July 1966, he deliberately chose the words 'Krishna Consciousness' rather than 'Hinduism' or 'Sanatana Dharma.' He wanted to emphasize that the movement was not a localized cultural or ethnic religion, but a universal, scientific psychological process aimed at reawakening the innate, dormant consciousness of the soul.

In the founding legal document, Prabhupada articulated the **Seven Purposes of ISKCON**, which continue to guide the movement:
1. To systematically propagate spiritual knowledge to society at large and to educate all people in the techniques of spiritual life.
2. To propagate a consciousness of Krishna, as it is revealed in the Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam.
3. To bring the members of the Society together with each other and nearer to Krishna, the prime entity.
4. To teach and encourage the sankirtan movement, congregational chanting of the holy name of God.
5. To erect for the members and for society at large a holy place of transcendental pastimes dedicated to the personality of Krishna.
6. To bring the members closer together for the purpose of teaching a simpler, more natural way of life.
7. With a view towards achieving the aforementioned purposes, to publish and distribute periodicals, magazines, books and other writings.

These seven goals seamlessly integrate mass education, deep individual spiritual practice, community building, agricultural sustainability, and intellectual publication into a comprehensive worldwide mission.