An Introduction to His Divine Grace Sri Srimad Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Goswami Maharaj
14 April: His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Maharaj appeared in 1924 at Goalpara in Assam, India on the day of Ram-navami, the most auspicious appearance day of Lord Ramchandra. His childhood name was ‘Kamakhya Charan’. His father’s name was Sree Dhirendra Kumar Guharaya and mother was Srimati Sudhanshubala Guharaya. Having been brought up in a pious environment, He developed a strong inclination to look for truth, which led Him to take up the study of philosophy at Calcutta University.
After completing His M.A. in philosophy in 1946, He came in contact with His spiritual master, His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Dayita Madhav Goswami Maharaj in 1947, and was immediately attracted by His divine and powerful personality. His Divine Grace Srila Madhav Goswami Maharaj was one of the foremost followers of the illustrious preceptor of the pure devotional school of bhakti yoga, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Thakur. From that time onward, Srila Tirtha Goswami Maharaj completely dedicated His life to the service of His Guru. Soon He became Secretary of the devotional institution of Sree Chaitanya Gaudiya Math, which has over twenty centers in India alone. As one of the first sannyas disciples, He took the vow of renunciation in 1961.
During His lifetime, His Divine Grace Srila Madhav Goswami Maharaj nominated Srila Tirtha Goswami Maharaj as His successor-Acharya of the Math. Srila Tirtha Goswami Maharaj received the blessings and intimate association of many of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta’s prominent followers, such as Srila Bhakti Pramode Puri Maharaj, Srila Bhakti Hriday Van Maharaj, Srila Bhakti Rakshak Sridhar Maharaj, Akinchan Krishna Das Babaji Maharaj and many others.
For the last five decades, Srila Tirtha Goswami Maharaj is engaged in preaching the philosophy of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to counter the modern trend towards violence and cruelty, and to bring about unity of hearts among all, irrespective of race, creed or religion. Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj had requested Srila Tirtha Maharaj to accompany Him to USA just prior to His launching of the Krishna Consciousness Movement in the west during 1965. As He was engaged in the service of His Gurudeva as Secretary of Sree Chaitanya Gaudiya Math at that time, Srila Tirtha Maharaj humbly declined. Since 1997, however at the request of Srila Bhakti Pramode Puri Maharaj, He is traveling across the globe for several months a year, enlivening all who come in contact with His humble, sweet personality, extraordinary kirtan and message of divine love. To date, His preaching travels outside India have taken Him around the world, including UK, Holland, France, Spain, Italy, Austria, Germany, Slovenia, Russia, Ukraine, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Hawaii and throughout the continental US. Everyone is attracted by His eloquent, insightful and, most of all, pure devotional discourses.
During His US tour during 1997 His Divine Grace Srila Tirtha Maharaj addressed the United Nations “World Peace Prayer Society” and “World Conference on Religion and Peace” in New York city, offering them a succinct outline for world peace based upon the spiritual tenets of the ancient Vedas. His preaching programs over the past years have also included many interesting dialogues with prominent Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Hindu and Baha’i theologians, in such diverse settings such as universities, interfaith groups, churches, Hindu temples and a wide variety of metaphysical and private educational centers. All are invariably won over by His gentle and affectionate nature, combined with His resolute faith in Guru, Vaishnavas and Bhagavan. He has also spoken on the sublime teachings of Sree Chaitanya Mahaprabhu on many radio and television programs, including a thought provoking interview on BBC radio in 2000, which was broadcast worldwide.
In addition to His responsibility as Acharya of Sree Chaitanya Gaudiya Math, Srila Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Goswami Maharaj serves as the Acharya of GOKUL (Global Organization of Krishnachaitanya’s Universal Love), which He founded in 1997 in US. He is also serving as President of the World Vaishnav Association. Working eighteen hours a day, He is incessantly engaged in the service of humanity as a teacher of Vedic wisdom and the philosophy of bhakti yoga. He is presently engaged in writing articles and books in His native languages as well as in English. To date, His English publications include the books, ‘Shuddha Bhakti’, ‘Sages of Ancient India’, A Taste of Transcendence’, ‘Sri Chaitanya: His Life and Associates’, and many others.