Srila Prabhupada is the Acharya of the ISKCON institution
Acharya. The religion is originally spoken by Krishna Himself and that message or science is coming down directly through the chain of disciplic succession and one who is in that chain is called…
"One has to hear the message of Godhead from the lips of the pure devotee of the Lord or Acharya. The religion is originally spoken by Krishna Himself and that message or science is coming down directly through the chain of disciplic succession and one who is in that chain is called Acharya or one who teaches by his life. Religion is practically presented by the bonafide spiritual master or Acharya." ———(Srila Prabhupada Letter, October 6, 1970) "So far I am concerned, I am a humble disciple of His Divine Grace, Om Vishnupad Sri Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Maharaj, who was the original pioneer of spreading this movement in the Western world. During his lifetime, up to 1936, he started 64 main centers all over the world, including centers in Berlin, Germany, and London, England. His Divine Grace entrusted me to spread this movement in the Western countries, and since 1965, I am trying in my humble way to spread this movement in this part of the world. I am recognized Acharya of this movement, as will be evidenced by the enclosed copies of different branches of the Goudiya Math institutions." ———–(Srila Prabhupada Letter, February 21, 1968) "I am so glad to learn that you appreciate my mission in the United States as without any rival.
Actually this is a fact, because I am presenting nothing manufactured by me. I am presenting the genuine thing as it was given by Lord Krishna Himself, or Lord Chaitanya Himself, approved by the Great Acharyas, so the activities which we have adopted, Krishna Consciousness, it is authorized and in the disciplic succession from Krishna directly." ———(Srila Prabhupada Letter, October 18, 1968) "This is to inform you that I, the undersigned, am the Founder-Acharya of ISKCON and the world leader for all of its branches." ———–(Srila Prabhupada Letter, November 26, 1974)
"In that trust you must be very careful to make sure that my name is registered there as the Founder-Acharya and that I am to be the ultimate authority. In other words, in any case of necessity of vetoing or cancelling any decision made by the other trustees, I should be able to do like that. My decision should over-rule all the other trustees combined." ———–(Srila Prabhupada Letter, December 28, 1974) "So you can go ahead and register our Society there with taking all proper and necessary steps.
Before the finalization of registration takes place I would request you to send me one copy of the constitution for our society there so I can approve it finally. My name should be there as the Founder-acharya, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami. I should have full authority in all matters." ———-(Srila Prabhupada Letter, December 29, 1974) [Compilation by Padmapani Dasa]