After experiencing a spiritual awakening, Prahladananda Swami joined ISKCON in 1968. He was at that time a student at the State University of New York (Buffalo). At the beginning of 1969, he received first and second initiation from Srila Prabhupada. In January 1969, immediately upon moving in to the Buffalo temple, he was made treasurer and head pujari and worshiped Lord Jagannatha, Lord Baladeva, and Srimati Subhadra Devi.

Inspired by Srila Prabhupada’s instructions and the financial needs of the temple, Prahladananda Swami organized daily harinamas and book distribution in Buffalo. Every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., the sankirtana party would go out, even during the severe Buffalo winters when temperatures would drop below 20° F (about -7° C).

Following Srila Prabhupada’s instruction, Prahladananda Swami helped open temples in Coconut Grove, Florida, and in Houston, Texas. He was also temple president of two other ISKCON temples in Texas, namely Dallas and Austin. In 1975, he joined the Radha-Damodara traveling bus party and distributed books in airports and parking lots throughout the United States. No matter what other services he had, for thirty years he has always continued to distribute Srila Prabhupada’s books — a service he still sometimes performs.

From 1987 until 1997, Prahladananda Swami taught at the Vaishnava Institute for Higher Education (VIHE) in Vrindavana, India. At the VIHE, he taught subjects such as the Krishna Book and Ayurveda, and he still teaches seminars all over the world. Of course, he also regularly studies and teaches from Srila Prabhupada’s books. In 1992, he became the Minister for Sannyasa Services, and he has been the Minister for Health and Welfare. Over the years, he has also served as the chairman of several GBC committees such as the GBC Nominations Committee.  Presently he is the Chairman of the Guru Services Committee and the ISKCON Dispute Resolution Committee (IDRD).

Presently, Prahladananda Swami travels and preaches in Europe, especially in Eastern Europe. He regularly visits the Ukraine, Russia, and India. Once a year, he travels around the world to Peru, USA, Australia, and New Zealand.