Part II In Every Town and Village
Branches of the Gaudiya Math
The following section is a list of different Gaudiya
Math missions. Some are very large missions, and some
are smaller branches started by individual Vaisnavas.
What they hold in common is that they are autonomous
branches of the Chaitanya Tree. Almost all of them
have published books and periodicals, and opened one
or more temples. This list is not complete, yet it
gives us an idea of how widely spread the influence
of the Gaudiya Math has already become. It also shows
us the extent to which it has expanded, and, by increasing
the Vaisnava presence, how this serves the entire world.
If anyone wishes to have further information on the
respective Vaisnava missions, their founders, or members,
we would like to refer you to the Internet homepage
of the Visva Vaisnava Raj Sabha (VVRS) which tries
to keep updated information on the expanding Vaisnava
activities world-wide. Because we did not get complete
information on all missions, some of them will just
appear in name and without extensive information on
their activities.
If I have not adequately purified myself by glorifying
all the wonderful Vaisnavas, their missions, and services,
I beg to be forgiven. I also beg to be informed of
my ignorance and oversights, so that in the next edition
the information supplied herein may be updated. Thank
you for your kind understanding.
Abbreviations used in the following pages are:
VVRS-WVA = Visva Vaisnava Raj Sabha - World Vaisnava
Association
SPBSST = Srila Prabhupad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati
Thakur
G = Generation
M = Maharaj
B = Bhakti
Sri Navadvip Dham Pracharini Sabha
Founder acharya: Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur (9th Generation).
He received Vaisnava diksa from Vipin Bihari Goswami
and siksa from Srila Jagannath Das Babaji (8th G.).
Later, in 1908, Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur received
Babaji-vesa from Srila Gaur Kishor Das Babaji M. Samadhi
Mandir in Godrum Navadvip.
Next acharya: Srila Prabhupad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati
Thakur (11th G.) Disciple of Srila Gaur Kishor Das
Babaji M. (10th G.)
Present acharya: The respective acharya of the Chaitanya
Math.
Branches: First in Yogapith. Then in Srivas Angan, Advaita
Angan, Gadadhara Bhavan.
Other special features:
Established the Gaur Kishor das Babaji M. Samadhi Mandir
in Mayapur (Sri Chaitanya Math)
Established the Sri Nrisingha Mandir
Established the Nama Hatta Program
In 1894 the Maharaj of the Tripura state, Bir Chandra
Dev Burman Manikya Bhadur, was nominated the first
president of this Pracharini Sabha.
The objectives of the Sabha are:
To improve Sri Navadvip Dham and give publicity to
its sanctity, glory, as well as its religious and historical
importance.
To maintain the temple called Yogapith, Sri Mandir
at the birth site of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu at Sri
Mayapur; to carry on the daily seva puja to the deities
namely Sri Gaur Vishnupriya and other deities installed
therein with periodical festivals in honor of these
Deities.
Upkeep of the library of arya shastras namely the Vedas,
Upanishads and Bhakti literature, and the reading rooms
for general use for the public.
Collection of historical materials and archaeological
finds relating to, and in connection with, Sri Navadvip
Dham.
Promotion and publication of Bhakti literature.
Establishment and maintenance of Chatuspathi for studying
Sanskrit and Bhakti literature.
Broadcast knowledge of Arya Sastras namely Vedas, Upanishads
and Bhakti literature.
To own, hold, possess, manage, conduct or control the
properties, land buildings, temples known as Yogapith
Sri Mandir and Srivas Angan both situated at Sri Mayapur.
To construct and erect new buildings; to extend, repair,
improve, secure and acquire further properties both
moveable and immovable for furthering the said objectives.
To award medals and prizes and bestow honors to scholars
on Bhakti literature and to those who rendered meritorious
services to the said Sabha and the said Deities.
To do all such things as may be incidental or conducive
to the objectives of the Sabha or any of them as aforesaid.
Chaitanya Math
Founder acharya: Paramapujapada Srila Prabhupad Bhaktisiddhanta
Sarasvati Thakur (11th G).
Disciple of Srila Gaur Kishor Das Babaji M. (10th G.)
Samadhi Mandir in Chaitanya Math, Mayapur.
Srila Prabhupad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur (SPBSST)
was the president of the Visva Vaisnava Raj Sabha .
Next acharyas:
Srila Bhakti Vilas Tirtha M. (12th G.) He was sisya
of SPBSST and took sannyas from Srila Bhakti Vijñan
Ashram M. The Samadhi Mandirs of Srila Bhakti Vilas
Tirtha M. and Srila Bhakti Vijñan Ashram M.
are in Sri Chaitanya Math, Mayapur.
Srila Bhakti Kusum Sraman M. (12th G) Sisya of SPBSST
and sannyas from Srila B. V. Tirtha M. Samadhi Mandir
in Sri Chaitanya Math , Mayapur.
Srila Bhakti K. Tapasvi M. (12th G) Sisya of SPBSST
Samadhi Mandir in Srivas Angan, Mayapur.
Present acharya: several
Branches: sixty-six. These later divided and are currently
forty-two.
Sannyas initiates of SPBSST: twenty
Sannyas initiates of other Chaitanya Math acharyas:
nearly forty
Books published: nearly 300 in Bengali, Sanskrit, English
and Hindi.
New Missions branching out from this mission: approximately
twenty-five
Srila Prabhupad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur employed
the following methods for the practice and preaching
of the teachings of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
1. In order to circulate and popularize Bhakti literature,
he established several printing presses, namely: Bhagavat
Press and Krishnanagar, Nadia Prakash Printing at Sri
Mayapur, Gaudiya Printing Works at Calcutta, and the
Paramartha Press at Cuttack. He also edited, printed
and published large volumes of Bhakti literature, mainly
Shastras written by the six Goswamis and other Vaisnava
masters of the Gaudiya Vaisnava schools. These books
were made easily available to the people, either free
or at nominal prices.
2. He started several journals exclusively dealing with
Bhakti. These include:
The Sajjan Toshani, a Bengali monthly.
The Harmonist, an English monthly.
The Gaudiya, a Bengali weekly.
The Nadia Prakash, a Bengali daily.
The Bhagavat, a Hindi fortnightly.
The Kirtan, an Assami monthly.
The Paramarthi, an Oriya fortnightly.
3. He held pictorial exhibits demonstrating the lives
and teachings of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and the Vaisnava
saints along with the stories and sermons taken from
Upanishads, Puranas, Mahabharata and Ramayana. This
method of preaching was very impressive and effective
even among illiterate men, women and children.
4. He preached from door to door and from village to
village, holding meetings and discourses with groups
of men. With this purpose Srila Prabhupad Bhaktisiddhanta
Sarasvati Thakur not only sent his preachers to the
remotest villages of India from North to South and
from East to West but also to Burma and Europe.
5. He held religious festivals in all the centers and
maths, attracting people and giving them opportunities
to listen to religious discourses.
6. He also introduced and popularized the Vaisnava smritis
such as the Hari Bhakti Vilas of Sanatana Goswami and
Sat Kriya Sar Dipika and Samskara Dipika of Srila Gopal
Bhatta Goswami. He introduced Vaisnava practices (achar)
based on the said smriti works among his disciples
in the matter of sraddha and other religious rites.
7. He introduced and administered Pancharatrika Diksha
to his disciples regardless of caste and thereby conferred
on them the right to worship Bhagavan Vishnu.
8. Another aim of his was to introduce the purely Vaisnavite
education and for this reason he published Hari Namamrita
Vyakarana, a Sanskrit grammar book written by Sri Jiva
Goswami, and established a Sanskrit Academy for study
of the said grammar. It is now one of the subjects
for conferring a degree at Upadhi Vyakaran Tirtha.
9. He established a Sanskrit Academy (Bhagavata Pathasala
or Paravidya-pitha) for the study of Bhakti literature
under his own guidance, and brought expert pandits
from Udupi (South India) and other places to teach
the philosophy of different schools.
10. He also established a residential English High
School called Thakur Bhaktivinode Institute at Sri
Mayapur to impart education based on Vaisnava faith
to young boys. He did not believe in Godless education.
Subsequently a junior basic school after the name
of Thakur Bhaktivinode has been established by Srila
B. V. Tirtha M.
11. He reclaimed and improved the old or neglected temples
and places of religious importance and discovered old
places associated with the life of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
and other Vaisnava saints. He also raised temples and
memorials at the places visited by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
all over India.
12. He introduced ten examinations of Vaisnava literature
and philosophy, and history of religious sects.
13. He revived the Sri Visva-Vaisnava Raj Sabha founded
by Sri Rupa and Sri Sanatana Goswami.
14. He introduced the practice of brahmacharya, vanaprastha
and sannyas among his disciples, all directed towards
the service of Godhead. The said practice is a healthy
method of regulating life as a first step for entry
into spiritual life.
Srila Prabhupad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Thakur
popularized Gaudiya Vaisnavism with all its high excellence
throughout the world. He established Sri Chaitanya
Math at Sri Mayapur - a town full of temples and monasteries
now with about a hundred branches of the Gaudiya Math.
He also established places of worship in different
parts of India and abroad.
Other special features and accomplishments:
Maths established by Srila B. Vilas Tirtha M:
Banga, W. Bengal, Haridas Thakur bhajana-kutir
Guntur Gaudiya Math, Andhra Pradesh
Burdwan, Kuliya Gram - bhajan-sthan of Thakur Haridas.
Diamond Harbor Gaudiya Math, 1963
Vaisnava Journals:
Dainik Nadia Prakash" The editor of this daily
publication was Srila Bhakti Promode Puri M.
Gaudiya" Bhakti Vilas Tirtha M. Published in
various languages including Hindi, Bengali, Oriya,
Assami, English, etc.
Parikramas:
Vraja-mandal parikram
Navadvip Dham parikram
Homeopathic dispensaries.
Gaudiya Mission
Founder acharya: Srila Prabhupad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati
Thakur (11th G.)
The Bagh Bazaar Gaudiya Math in Calcutta became the
head-quarters of the Gaudiya mission, under the direction
of Bhakti Prashad Puri M. (12th G.) The mission was
continued by Srila Bhakti Keval Audulaumi M. (12th
G.).
Next acharya:
Srila Bhakti Keval Audulaumi M. (12th G.) Sisya of
SPBSST. Samadhi Mandir in Godrum, Navadvip.
Srila Bhakti Srirup Bhagavat M. (12th G.) Sisya of
SPBSST and sannyas from Srila B. K. Audulaumi M. Samadhi
Mandir in Godrum, Navadvip.
Present acharya: Srila Bhakti S. Parivrajak M. (13th
G.) Disciple and sannyas from Srila B. K. Audulaumi
M.
Branches: thirty-four
Sannyas initiates: approximately sixty
New missions emanating from this mission: four
Other special features:
Srila B. K. Audulaumi M. has written two kirtans:
Sri Kshetra Dham parikram, and Navadvip Dham parikram.
Bhakti Patra' - a monthly magazine in Bengali (Calcutta).
Created medical services and dispensaries.
Temples established by him:
Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gaudiya Math, Godrum Dham.
The Pushpa Samadhi of SPBSST is found here.
Radha-Govinda Gaudiya Math, Dist. Haila Gandhi, Po.
Lala Bazaar, Assam
Bhakti Keval Audulaumi Gaudiya Math, Dist Mughalserai,
Bihar
Bhagavat GM, Po. Karim Ganj, Assam
Outstanding activities:
He had a very special kirtan style. Many previously
rented buildings of the Gaudiya Math were also purchased
by the Mission.
Vaisnava Acharyas, New Missions an Projects of the Twelfth
Generation
In alphabetical order by the acharya's name
Srila Bhakti Prakash Aranya Maharaj (12th G.)
Received sannyas from SPBSST.
Srila Bhakti Vaibhav Aranya Maharaj's mission
Founder acharya: Srila Bhakti Vaibhav Aranya M. (12th
G.) Founding member of the VVRS-WVA. Sisya of SPBSST
and sannyas from Srila B. Bhudev Srouti M.
Established: Krishna Balaram Mandir, Mathura. Samadhi
Mandir in the same location.
New missions emanating from this mission: three
Srila Bhakti Vaibhav Aranya M. preached strongly through
the letters he wrote to his disciples all over the
world. He also closed a slaughterhouse in Mathura.
Srila Bhakti Soudha Ashram Maharaj's mission
Founder acharya: Srila Bhakti Soudha Ashram M. (12th
G.) Sisya of SPBSST and sannyas from Srila B. Vaikanash
M. Samadhi Mandir in Mayapur.
Branches: four
He started a school in Calcutta.
Srila Bhakti Sambal Bhavat Maharaj (12th G.)
Sannyas from SPBSST.
Sri Gauranga Gaudiya Math
Founder acharya: Srila Bhakti Saurabhi Bhakti Sar M.
(12th G.) Founding member of the VVRS-WVA. Sisya of
SPBSST, sannyas from Srila Bhakti Saranga Goswami M.
Samadhi Mandir in Mayapur.
Present acharya: Srila Bhakti Sundar Sudir Acharya M.
(13th G.)
Branches: four
Sannyas initiates: six
Srila Bhakti Rañjan Bhaktisar (12th G.)
Sannyas from SPBSST.
Srila Bhakti Bhushan Bharati Maharaj (12th G.)
Sisya of SPBSST. Founding Member of VVRS-WVA.
Sri Rupanuga Bhajanashram
Founder acharya: Srila Bhakti Vilas Bharati M. (12th
G.), sannyas from Srila Bhakti Shouti Goswami M.
Deities: Sri Radha Shyama Sunder. Samadhi Mandir in
Sri Rupanuga Bhajanashram, Mayapur.
Sannyas disciples: one
Present acharya: Srila Bhakti Sadhan Tatpar M. (13th
G.) Sannyas from Srila Bhakti Vilas Bharati M.
Books: many
Other special features:
A very nice Temple full of Bhagavan-lila dioramas.
Srila Bhakti Prosun Bodhayan Maharaj (12th G.)
Sannyas from SPBSST.
Institute of Oriental Philosophy
Founder acharya: Srila Bhakti Hriday Bon M. (12th G.)
Sisya of SPBSST.
Samadhi Mandir and Bhajan Kutir in the Madan Mohan Temple,
Vrindavan.
Next acharya: Srila Bhakti Rasika Bon M. (13th G.)
Founding member of the VVRS-WVA. Srila Krishnananda
Bon M. (13th G.) Both received sannyas from B. H.
Bon M.
Present acharya: Srila Gopananda Bon M. (13th G.) Founding
member of the VVRS-WVA.
Branches: four
Sannyas initiates: twenty
Books published: forty
New missions emanating from this mission: two
Books: many
Other special features:
Srila Bhakti Hriday Bon M. was the first Gaudiya Vaisnava
to start preaching in the West. He managed to establish
temples in London and Berlin.
He brought the first European, Bhakta Sadananda Swami,
to India. He preached in practically all of the important
Universities of Europe.
He met with the King and Queen of England and with
many other aristocrats in Europe. He learned German
in order to facilitate his lectures at German Universities.
He toured the whole world several times
He was elected leader of the Mahants at the Kumbha
Mela and received support from many Indian leaders
for his educational projects.
Gaur Gadadhar Gaudiya Math
Founder acharya: Bhakti Prapanna Damodar MAHARAJ (12th
G.) Sisya of SPBSST.
Founding and honorary member of the VVRS-WVA.
Established: a math of Sri Sri Gaur Gadadhar in Puri.
Sri Gaur Gadadhar Math
Founder of the mission Sri Dwija Bani Nath (12th G.),
under Chaitanya Math, diksa from SPBSST and babaji
of Srila Bhakti Promode Puri MAHARAJ in 1994.
Present acharya: Srila Jyoti M. (13th G.) Founding member
of the VVRS-WVA.
Srila B. Vilas Gavasthi Nemi Maharaj (12th G.)
Sannyas from SPBSST. He was a great pandit, had many
disciples, wrote a book, and later surrendered everything
to SPBSST
Srila Bhakti Gambhir Giri Maharaj (12th G.)
Sisya of SPBSST. Founding Member of VVRS-WVA.
Srila Bhakti Sarvasa Giri Maharaj's Mission
Founder acharya: Srila Bhakti Sarvasa Giri M. (12th
G.) Sannyas from SBSSTP. Opened his own Math in Vrindavan.
Gaudiya Sanga
Founder acharya: Srila Bhakti Saranga Goswami M. (12th
G.) Sisya of SPBSST and sannyas from Srila B. R. Sridhar
M.
Samadhi Mandir in Nandan Acharya Bhavan, Mayapur.
Present acharya: Srila Bhakti Suhrit Akiñchana
M. (13th G.) Sannyas from Srila Bhakti Saranga Goswami
M. Founding member of the VVRS-WVA.
Branches: thirty
Sannyas initiates: forty
Books published: approximately twenty
New missions emanating from this mission: four
Other special features:
Recovered the holy place Imli Tala in Vrindavan.
Srila Bhakti Saranga Goswami M. went with Srila Bhakti
Pradip Tirtha M. to England and preached.
They established a permanent center in London.
Navadvip Dham Parikram.
Established the meeting place of Sri Nitai Gaur in
Mayapur (Nandan Acharya Bhavan).
Gaudiya Vedanta Samiti
Founder acharya: Srila Bhakti Prajñan Kesava
M.(12th G.)Sisya of SPBSST and sannyas from Bhakti
Rakshak Sridhar Dev Goswami M.
Samadhi Mandir in Devananda Gaudiya Math, Navadvip.
Present acharya: Srila Bhaktivedanta Vamana M. (12th
G.) Sannyas from Srila B. P. Keshava M. Founding
member of the VVRS-WVA.
Other acharya: Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayan M.(13th G.).
Founding member of the VVRS-WVA.
Branches: fifty
Sannyas initiates: fifty
Books: approximately one hundred in many languages.
Other special features:
A yearly, very large Navadvip Dham parikram
A yearly Vrindavan Dham Parikram
Several Journals in Hindi, Bengali and English
Srila Bhakti Prajñan Kesava M. was a very learned
renunciate from a wealthy family.
He also wrote a book called Vaisnava Vijay to soundly
defeat the Mayavadi philosophy.
He started a center of the Gaudiya Math in Mathura.
He gave sannyas to the founder of ISKCON, Srila A.
C. Bhaktivedanta Swami M.
Srila Niskiñchana Krishna das Babaji Maharaj
(12th G.)
Sisya of SPBSST. He was beloved by all. His Samadhi
Mandir is in Nandagram next to Sanatana Goswamis bhajan
kutir. All mission was happy when Srila N. Krishna
das Babaji M. came to sing kirtan.
Sri Chaitanya Gaudiya Math
Founder acharya: Srila Bhakti Dayita Madhava M. (12th
G.). Sisya of SPBSST and sannyas from Srila B. G. Vaikanash
Maharj Samadhi Mandir in Sri Chaitanya Gaudiya Math,
Mayapur.
Present acharya: Srila Bhakti Vallabha Tirtha M. (13th
G.) Sannyas from S. B. D. Madhava Maharj. Founding
member of the VVRS-WVA.
Branches: approximately twenty-four. In Punjab and
Assam.
Sannyas initiates: approximately sixty
Books published: forty
New missions emanating from this mission: four
Other special features:
They constructed a temple at the site of the birthplace
of the Gaudiya Math Founder in Puri.
Large guest houses in the Holy Dham.
A yearly Navadvip Dham Parikram. Every third year a
Vraj Mandal Parikram.
A monthly magazine; Krishna Vani.'
Sri Krishna Chaitanya Math
Founder acharya: Srila Bhakti Kamal Madhusudana M. (12th
G.) Sisya of SPBSST and sannyas from Srila B. R. Sridhar
M. Samadhi Mandir in Mayapur.
Present acharya: Srila Bhakti Prinan Vishnu Devatam
M. (13th G.) Founding member of the VVRS-WVA.
Branches: six
Sannyas initiates: five
Books published: five
Other special features:
His temples are very elaborate
He was a great scholar.
Srila Nayanananda das Babaji Maharaj (12th G.)
Sisya of SPBSST. Founding Member of VVRS-WVA.
Other special features:
Srila Nayananada das Babaji M. supervised the constructions
in all branches of the Chaitanya Math. This service
was given by SPBSST.
Now he is in charge of the Champahatta Gaudiya Math
center of Gaur Gadadhar. This temple has existed since
the time of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
Srila Nayananada das Babaji M. always wore white clothes
following the instructions of SPBSST in spite of his
spirit of renunciation. Later he took babaji from Srila
Bhakti Promode Puri Maharaj.
Paramahamsa Gaudiya Math
Founder acharya: Srila Bhakti Alok Paramahamsa M. (12th
G.) Sisya of SPBSST. Sannyas from Srila B. R. Sridhar
M. B. A. Paramahamsa M. was the personal servant
and use to preach with SPBSST. Samadhi Mandir in Mayapur.
Present acharya: Srila Bhakti Sadhak Niskiñchana
M. (13th G.) Diksa from Paramahamsa M. and sannyas
from B. Promode Puri M. Founding member of the VVRS-WVA.
Sannyas disciples: three
Present acharya: Srimad Bhakti Sadhak Niskiñchan
M. (13th G.) Previous manager of a big Zamindar in
Mayapur.Held the responsibility of Grantha publishing
department.
Gopinath Gaudiya Math
Founder acharya: Srila Bhakti Promode Puri M. (12th
G.) President of the VVRS-WVA. Sisya of SPBSST, and
sannyas from S. B. G.. Vaikanash M.
Branches: fifteen
Sannyas initiates: one hundred
Books published: approximately eighty
Other special features:
Excellent writer and editor of many magazines.
His publications include
Nadiya Prakash,'
Krishna Vani,'
Gaudiya, Bhagavat Darshan.'
Srila B. P. Puri M. is expert in all Puja and Deity
installations, temple inaugurations, etc.
He installed over eighty Deities in his life.
He is one of the first members of the Gaudiya Math
Many senior Vaisnavas, from godbrothers to acharyas
of other missions come to consult him.
He revived the Visva Vaisnava Raj Sabha in 1994.
Almost 100 years old, he still opens temples, giving
relief to others.
He restored the Keshi Ghat and the famous Dauji Mandir
in Vrindavan.
He is famous for cooperating with his godbrothers.
Srila Bhakti Srirup Puri Maharaj (12th G.)
Sannyas from SPBSST. Protector of Svarup Ganj. Intimate
associate of SPBSST.
Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mission
Founder acharya: Srila Bhakti Vaibhav Puri M. (12th
G.) Sisya of SPBSST, and sannyas from Srila B. Giri
M. Founding member of the VVRS-WVA.
Branches: sixteen
Sannyas initiates: twenty
Books published: approximately thirty in Oriya
Other special features:
Preached in Orissa.
Beautiful temple constructions.
Preached in South India.
Restored an old Seva Kuñja temple of Radha Vrindavan
Chandra in Vrindavan.
Srila Sadananda Swami (12th G.)
Sisya from SPBSST.
Books: six in German, others in Swedish, English and
Spanish
Other special features:
He was the first German Vaisnava.
Srila B. M. Bon M. brought him to India.
He lived in India with his guru SBSSTP and later returned
to Germany and Sweden.
He did this with the help of a disciple of Srila B.
M. Bon M. - Vamana das (Walter Eidlitz) (13th G.).
This was the first time that Gaudiya Vaisnava literature
was published outside of India.
They also preached in universities and started the
first European Vaisnava circle.
Srila Bhakti Vaibhav Sagar Maharaj (12th G.)
Sannyas from SPBSST. He did seva to the deities in Mamghati.
Sakhi Charan Babu (12th G.)
Outstanding contributor to the Gaudiya Math. He helped
many godbrothers and missions. He entered his Samadhi
in Imli Tala.
Srila Bhakti Kumud Santa Maharaj's Mission
Founder acharya: Srila Bhakti Kumud Santa M. (12th G.)
Founding member of the VVRS-WVA Sisya of SPBSST and
sannyas from S. B. G. Vaikanash M.
Branches: six
Sannyas initiates: thirty
Books published: twelve
Other special features:
Srila Bhakti Kumud Santa M. is always helping to celebrate
Vaisnava functions.
He also preached in the West.
His main center is in Beherla, Calcutta
Professor Srila Nisikantha Sanyal (12th G.)
Sisya of SPBSST. He did not open his own mission, but
he wrote the important book Sri Krishna Chaitanya in
English. His own guru wrote the introduction to this
book. He was a professor at Ravenshaw College and chief
editor of many Gaudiya Math publications.
Srila Bhakti Svarup Sar Maharaj (12th G.)
Sannyas from SPBSST.
Sarasvat Gaudiya Ashram
Founder acharya: Srila Bhakti Srirup Siddhanti M. (12th
G.) Sisya of SPBSST.
Present acharya: Sri Bhakti Rañjan Sagar M. (13th
G.) Founding member of the VVRS-WVA. Sannyas from Srila
Bhakti Srirup Siddhanti M.
Branches: three
Sannyas initiates: seven
Books published: forty. He published and wrote many
important books, Guru Prestha being one of them, and
others which were out of print for a long time.
Other special features:
He constructed three elaborately decorated temples
with permanent theistic exhibition incorporated into
the sculptures of the entire temple area.
Sri Chaitanya Sarasvat Math
Founder acharya: Srila Bhakti Rakshak Sridhar Dev Goswami
M. (12th G.) Sisya and sannyas from SPBSST. Founding
member of the VVRS-WVA. Samadhi Mandir in Sri Chaitanya
Sarasvat Math, Navadvip.
Present acharya: Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda M. (13th
G.) Sannyas from Srila B. R. Sridhar M.
Branches: fifty
Sannyas initiates: approximately thirty
Books published: approximately two hundred (Translations
to other languages)
New missions emanating from this mission: nearly ten
Other special features:
Vaisnava Toshani monthly English Magazine
Publications in many languages.
Journals in several languages.
Yearly Navadvip Dham Parikram and Vraj Mandal Parikram.
Centers world-wide.
Srila B. R. Sridhar M. was highly accepted by most
Vaisnavas. He opened several of the original Gaudiya
Maths. He composed many songs which are sung in many
places in the Gaudiya Math, i.e. his song to his spiritual
master, the Sri Sri Premadham Dev Stotram, and the
Sri Sri Prapanna Jivanamritam. In the last years of
his life, his preaching extended all over the world,
and his books were published in many languages. Many
spiritual masters came to him for advise. He was a
great Sanskrit scholar and poet.
Srila Bhakti Bhudev Srouti Maharaj (12th G.)
Sannyas from SBSSTP. He opened his own Math in Chalgram
Midnapur, prepared articles of his guru for the Gaudiya
Patrika.
ISKCON: International Society for Krishna Consciousness
BBT: Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.
Founder acharya: Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami M.
(12th G.) Sisya of SPBSST, and sannyas from S. B. P.
Kesava M.
Samadhi Mandir in Krishna Balaram Mandir, Vrindavan.
Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami M. surprised the entire world
as well as his godbrothers with his outstanding achievements.
He single handedly fulfilled the prediction of Sri
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu: The Holy Names of Krishna will
be sung in every town and village in the world.
Srila B. R. Sridhar M. said: What was announced by Sri
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, conceived of by Srila Bhaktivinode
Thakur, started by Srila Prabhupad Bhakti Siddhanta
Sarasvati Goswami M. was fulfilled by Swami M. (Srila
A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami)."
Present acharyas: many
Branches: approximately five-hundred
Sannyas initiates: approximately 150
Books published: about three thousand titles (in 64
languages)
Printed and distributed: 400 million
New missions emanating from this mission: fifteen
Other special features:
The founder started 108 centers around the world, which
were later increased by his disciples.
Many vegetarian restaurants and farm communities.
Bhaktivedanta Book Trust
Publications in over sixty-four languages. The first
complete edition in English of the Srimad Bhagavatam
and the Chaitanya Charitamrita with the purports of
Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami M.
Several homepages in the Internet for preaching in
digital format.
Bhaktivedanta Archives
Vedabase - a computer database containing 80 translations
of Vaisnava classic books on digital format with Bhaktivedanta
purports
A library of recorded lectures and songs on Tape and
CD. (magnetic and digital media formats)
14,000 letters to his disciples.
Bhaktivedanta Institute
scientific research, publications and conferences
promotion on traditional Vaisnava arts worldwide
training seminars on arts and sciences
Origins magazine" an analysis of life & matter
issues
Other Publications
Biography of the founder by Srila Satsvarup das Goswami
Back to Godhead Magazine, in English and many other
languages (started by the founder on 1944)
Hare Krishna World - an international newspaper in
English
ISKCON Television Vaisnava television pioneers
ISKCON Cinema - Sri Yadubara and Srimati Visakha prepared
many movies for preaching.
Other Preaching Activities:
Pada-yatras world-wide walking and preaching around
the globe.
Ratha-yatras in major cities all around the world (more
than 50).
Television biography of the Founder of ISKCON to be
broadcasted for two years in India.
Gurukulas - pioneer work of establishing Vedic principles
in primary school education.
Prasadam distribution, food relief, and vegetarian
restaurants world-wide.
FATE - First American Transcendental Exhibition.
Attempts to create self sufficient farm communities
world-wide.
Penetrating politically very difficult areas, such
as Communist and Muslim countries; successfully establishing
Krishna Consciousness in these areas.
The Mahamantra and other devotional songs were included
in their music and thus made Krishna's name very famous.
Srila Bhakti Pradip Tirtha Maharaj (10th G.)
Disciple of Srila B. Vinode Thakur, and sannyas from
SPBSST.
He was a great writer and published a commentary on
the Bhagavat Gita. He was sent to England to preach.
Sri Chaitanya Gaudiya Math
Founder: Srila Bhakti Gaurab Vaikanash M. (12th G.)
this is a branch of Sri Chaitanya Gaudiya Math of Srila
Bhakti Dayita Madhava M. (12th G.).
Sannyas initiates: thirteen
Books published: ten
Srila Bhakti Gaurab Vaikanash Maharaj (12th G.)
Sannyas from SPBSST. Established Math in Bhuvanesvara,
Orissa. Known also as Raj Pandit.
Srila Bhakti Sudhir Yachak Maharaj (12th G.)
Sannyas from SPBSST. Well known as a great cook and
did seva in Vrindavan.
Sri Chaitanya Bhagavat Math
Founder acharya: Srila Bhakti Vicar Yajavar M. (12th
G.) Sannyasi of SPBSST
Present acharya: Bhakti Vistar Vishnu M. (13th G.) Founding
member of the VVRS-WVA
Branches: six
Sannyas initiates: ten
Books published: six
Other special features:
Srila Bhakti Vichar Yajavar M. has his Samadhi in Mayapur.
He was the last sannyasi of Srila SPBSST.
His temples are very elaborate.
He was also the first to declare, in a public Vaisnava
meeting, that Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami M. must
be a Shakti-avesa-avatar in order to do what he was
chosen to do. Srila B. R. Sridhar M. agreed with this
intuition.
Vaisnava Acharyas, New Missions and Projects of the Thirteenth Generation
In alphabetical order by the acharya's name
International Association - Sri Chaitanya Bhakti Rakshak
Mandapa
Founder acharya: Srila Badri Narayan Bhagavat Bushan
(13th G.) Sisya of Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
M. and Srila B. R. Sridhar Maharaj
Branches: ten
Books published: fourteen.
Other special features:
Publications in English and Spanish.
Jayasri Classics publishing house.
Opened centers in Radha Kunda and Sevaite of Gadadhar
Danta Samadhi in Vrindavan.
Ratha Yatra in Caracas Venezuela.
Bhakti Keval Audulaumi Gaudiya Math
Founder: Srila Bhakti Vilas Bharati M. (13th G.) Founding
member of the VVRS-WVA. Sisya of Bhakti Keval Audulaumi
M.
Branches: six. He opened one of the branches coming
from the Bagh Bazaar Gaudiya Mission.
Books: two in Bengali.
Srila Bhakti Rasananda Bon Maharaj (13th G.)
Founding member of the VVRS-WVA Sisya of S. B. M. Bon
M.
Branches: one; Bon M. Gaudiya Math Mayapur
Bhaktivedanta Institute ISKCON
President: Srila Bhakti Svarup Damodar M. (13th G.)
Sannyas from Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami M. Founding
member of the VVRS-WVA.
Other special features:
He organizes scientific conferences on the synthesis
of science and religion.
Sripad Dasarath Suta das B. (13th G.)
Sisya of Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami M. Member of
VVRS-WVA,
Books: Translator and publisher of about one hundred
Vaisnava books.
ISKCON Bhuvanesvar
Founder: Srila Gaur Govinda Swami (13th G.). Sannyas
from Bhakti Vedanta Swami M. Samadhi Mandir in Sri
Sri Krishna Balaram Mandir ISKCON, Bhuvanesvara.
Books: he personally translated the books of his guru
into Oriya
Other special features:
He wrote different books and magazines
He opened a temple in Bhuvanesvara.
He was an exalted devotee and a great and learned scholar.
Sri Chaitanya Mudrani Mission
Founder: Srila Bhakti Prakash Hrisikesh M. (13th G.).
Diksa from Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami M., siksa
from Srila B. R. Sridhar M. and sannyas from Srila
B. P. Puri M. Founding member of the VVRS-WVA.
Other special features:
Opened missions in Bulgaria and Malaysia.
He has published many books by Srila B. R. Sridhar
M. in English.
Editor of VVRS-WVA magazine.
Bhaktivedanta Swami Ashram Trust
Founder: Srila Bhaktivedanta Ksirodaksayi Vishnu M.
(13th G.) Sisya of Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami M., and
sannyas from Srila B. A. Paramadvaiti Swami M. Founding
Member of VVRS-WVA
Branches: two (Vrindavan and London)
Number of Books published: twenty
Other special features:
Bhagavat Darshan' magazine in Hindi
Krishna Institute
Founder: Sripad Kusakratha das Brahmachari (13th G.)
Sisya of Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami M. Also a
Sanskrit scholar.
Other special features:
Translator and publisher of more than 300 Volumes of
Goswami literature.
Srila Bhakti Madhava Maharaj (13th G.)
Sisya of Srila B. D. Madhava M. Founding member of
the VVRS-WVA.
Srila Bhakti Prabhav Mahavir Maharaj (13th G.)
Sisya of Srila B. D. Madhava M. Founding member of
the VVRS-WVA.
Branches: three
Books published: three
Other special features:
Preaches in Vrindavan and in Western countries.
Hungarian Vaisnava Association
Founder: Srila Bhakti Abhay Narayan M. (13th G.) Founding
member of the VVRS-WVA. A fearless preacher; he was
a disciple of Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami M. and
took sannyas from Srila B.R. Sridhar M. His Samadhi
Mandir is in Balastia, Hungary.
Present acharyas:
Srila Bhakti Kamal Tirtha M. (14th G.) Sannyas from
Srila Bhakti Abhay Narayan M.
Founding member of the VVRS-WVA.
Srila Krishnananda Prabhu (14th G.)
Founding member of the VVRS-WVA.
Branches: five
Sannyas initiates: one
Books published: forty
Other special features:
Kagylókürt Magazine four times a year in
Hungarian
Ganges Vaisnava Journal four times a year in Hungarian
Srila Bhakti Abhay Narayan M. is the first preacher
behind the Iron Curtain.
He translated the Bhagavad Gita into Russian and Hungarian.
He opened temples in Hungary, Rumania, Bulgaria, and
Yugoslavia.
Srila Bhakti Kinkara Narayan Maharaj (13th G.)
Disciple of Srila B. K. Sraman M. and sannyas from Srila
B. P. Puri M. Founding member of the VVRS-WVA.
Temples: Sri Sri Radha-Govinda, Milan Kuñja,
Radha-Govinda-Mahaprabhu, Parganas, West Bengal.
Sripad Nrisinghananda das Adhikari (13th G.)
Member of the VVRS-WVA.
Other special features:
Director of ISKCON Television - the first Vaisnava
World Video service.
Produced and published over 200 videos on Vaisnava
topics.
Srila Bhakti Vikash Padmanabha Maharaj (13th G.)
Sisya of S. B. R. Sridhar M. and sannyas from S. B.
P. Puri M. Founding member of the VVRS-WVA.
VRINDA: Vrindavan Institute for Vaisnava Culture &
studies
ISEV: Superior Institute of Vedic Studies
SEVA: Editorial Service of Vaisnavas Acharyas
Founder acharya: Srila Bhakti Alok Paramadvaiti Swami
M. (13th G.) Founding member of the VVRS-WVA. Sisya
of Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami M. and sannyas from
Srila B. R. Sridhar Mahraj.
Other acharyas:
Srila Bhakti Vimal Harijan M. (13th G.) Sisya of Srila
A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami M. and sannyas from Srila
B. R. Sridhar M. Founding member of the VVRS-WVA.
Samadhi Mandir in Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Radha Vrajesvara,
Bogota, Colombia.
Srila Atulananda Acharya Prabhu (13th G.) Sisya of
Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami M.
Founding member of the VVRS-WVA.
Branches: eighty-two
Sannyas initiates: fifteen
Books published: 120
New missions emanating from this mission: two
Other special features:
VRINDA has restored old temples in Vrindavan including:
VRINDA Kuñja Mandir, the Gopal Mandir, and the
Yamuna Kuñja at Imli Tala.
Many vegetarian restaurants, ashrams, and farm communities
in Europe, America (South, Central, North), and India.
Publications in German, Spanish and English.
ISEV is a program which also offers Bhakti Yoga Courses
by correspondence.
First German and Spanish Internet Presence of Vaisnavism.
Srila Bhakti Paramarthi Maharaj (13th G.)
Sisya of Srila B. R. Sridhar M. and sannyas from Srila
B. P. Puri M. He has a center in Assam.
Srila Bhakti Parivrajak Maharaj (13th G.)
Started a mission in Mayapur and Howrah, Calcutta. Founding
member of the VVRS-WVA.
Organization of Navadvip Dham Parikram.
Srila Bhakti Prasun Puri Maharaj's Mission
Founder acharya: Srila Bhakti Prasun Puri M. (13th G.)
Disciple of Srila B. Vilas Tirtha M. Founding member
of the VVRS-WVA.
Books published: two
Radha Krishna Math
Founder acharya: Srila Bhakti Vijay Puri M. (13th G.)
Founding member of the VVRS-WVA. Sisya of S. B. Saran
Santa M. and sannyas from S. B. P. Puri M.
Other acharyas: Srila Bhakti Mangal M. (13th G.) Sisya
of S. B. Saran Santa M.
Branches: One, in Calcutta
Srila Bhakti Vaibhava Sagar Maharaj (13th G.)
Sisya of Srila B. Vilas Tirtha M. Founding member of
the VVRS-WVA.
Branches: one, in Mayapur
Other special features:
Caretaker of Rudradvip Gaudiya Math. Maintains an
excellent library of Gaudiya Math literature.
Sripad Satyaraj das Adhikari (13th G.)
Disciple of Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami M. Founder
of Folk Books.
Publisher of the Journal of Vaisnava Studies' - A quarterly
with scientific articles.
Books: Author of many on Vaisnava research.
Srila Jagat Guru Siddha Svarupananda Maharaj (13th G.)
Disciple of Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami M. Founding
member of the VVRS-WVA.
Branches: eighty
Books published: thirty, in English
Other special features:
In the 1960's he was a yogi in Hawaii and had many
disciples.
He later surrendered, with all of his disciples, to
Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami M.
Life-force News' in English, Polish, Russian and Filipino.
He is a pioneer in preaching on Cable TV.
He is accompanied by another disciple of Srila A. C.
Bhaktivedanta Swami M., Sripad Tusta Krishna (13th
G.).
He has published many booklets giving Vaisnava guidance
on social topics.
His mission also preaches in many communist countries.
Srila Bhakti Siddhanti Maharaj (13th G.)
Sisya of Srila B. R. Sridhar M. and sannyas from Srila
B. P. Puri M. He has a center in Navadvip.
Chaitanya Isha Mandalam
Founder acharya: Srila Bhakti Nandan Swami M. (13th
G.) Sisya of Srila B. R. Sridhar M. and sannyas from
Srila B. Promode Puri M. Founding member of the VVRS-WVA.
Centers: England, USA, and Malaysia.
Books published: six
Srila Bhakti Svarup Tirtha Maharaj (13th G.)
Founding member of the VVRS-WVA.
Sannyas and disciple of Srila B. S. Bhagavat M. of Bagh
Bazaar Gaudiya Math. Mission close to Calcutta. Well
known as an international preacher.
Gaudiya Vaisnava Society
Founder acharya: Srila Bhakti Vedanta Tripurari M.
(13th G.) Sisya of Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
M. and sannyas from Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
M. Founding member of the VVRS-WVA.
Branches: six
Sannyas initiates: three
Books: approximately twenty
Other special features:
The founder has written many books.
Publishes the Gaudiya Vedanta' magazine - a quarterly
in English
One of the best philosophical Vaisnava Journals available.
Clarion Call' is also published by him.
He is famous for organizing the world's largest distribution
of Vaisnava literature.
Other acharyas: Srila Bhakti Gaurava Narasinha M. (13th
G.) Founding member of the VVRS-WVA. Sisya and sannyasi
of Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami M.
Sannyas initiates: three
Books published: two
Other special features:
Srila B. G. Narasingha is the first Western born Vaisnava
to open a Mandir in Vrindavan and South India.
Mantra Meditation, Hawaii
Founder: Srila Turiya Mahasaya M. (13th G.) Sisya of
Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami M. Founding member
of the VVRS-WVA.
Other special features:
Renovation project in Govardhan Vrindavan.
Newsletter in English, and expert in Deity worship.
Sri Chaitanya Gaudiya Sevashram.
Founder acharya: Srila B. Sambandha Yachak M (13th
G.) Sisya of B. Vilas Tirtha M. and sannyas from B.
P. Puri M.
Acharya of Chaitanya Math, Midnapur, W. Bengal.
Srila Bhakti Yati Maharaj (13th G.)
Sisya of Srila B. Vilas Tirtha M. and sannyas Srila
B. Promode Puri M. Founding member of the VVRS-WVA.
Guardian of Radha Kunda Kuñja Bihari, Gaudiya
Math.
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