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

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    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.

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    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

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     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

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     Outstanding activities:

  • He had a very special kirtan style. Many previously rented buildings of the Gaudiya Math were also purchased by the Mission.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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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