Srila Prabhupada started Back to Godhead to fulfill the mission of his spiritual master, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, who had ordered him to preach Vaishnavism, the science of Krishna consciousness, in the English-speaking world.

Srila Prabhupada was determined to succeed, and Back to Godhead became a major part of his attempt. In some ways the magazine has changed in the last sixty years. Most of the issues published between 1944 and 1966 (when he arrived in America and turned the magazine over to his disciples) were simply one sheet folded in half, making for a four-page newspaper. Srila Prabhupada wrote almost all the articles. He also oversaw the printing — one thousand copies of each issue. And he single-handedly distributed them. Now Back to Godhead is 66 pages long and appears six times a year, in color, with articles by various contributors, and in a print run of some twenty thousand, which mostly go to subscribers.

But in the most important ways Back to Godhead remains the same. It is still Srila Prabhupada’s magazine, presenting Krishna consciousness without compromise. The founder’s lecture begins each issue — it’s a transcription of one of the hundreds of lectures he gave. In the other articles, Prabhupada’s followers explain the philosophy in their own words, ensuring the continuity of the Vaishnava tradition.

Back to Godhead explains Krishna consciousness and often comments on how this philosophy applies to current events. This is a format introduced in the early magazines. Srila Prabhupada would discuss World War II, karma, Gandhi, the cycle of birth and death, the Indian government, the highest aspects of love of God ... Back to Godhead continues his legacy with articles on ISKCON around the world, current topics, and philosophy.

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