Part
II In Every Town and Village
http://www.vrindavan.org/English/Books/GM/GMII.html
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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