Srila Sridhar Maharaj

Srila Bhakti Rakshak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj

His Divine Grace,
Founder Acharya of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math

Books by Srila Sridhar Maharaj
Quotations from Srila Sridhar Maharaj's Books

Srila Sridhar Maharaj's Centenary Celebration
Srila Sridhar Maharaj's Divine Desire & Testament

A BRIEF BIOGRAPHY

Srila Sridhar Dev Maharaj, the founder of the Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math in Nabadwip Dham, appeared in India at Hapaniya, Burdwan, in West Bengal, in 1895. From his early childhood, he showed strong faith in Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, and the natural disposition of a devotee.

In 1926, he took sannyas, the renounced order of life, from his Spiritual Master, Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur, and was given the name Bhakti Rakshak, which means the "Guardian of Devotion." His Guru referred to Srila Sridhar Maharaj as "a fit person to continue my Divine Succession" and as a "pure soul fully surrendered unto the Supreme Lord."

Many of his exalted spiritual Godbrothers looked to Srila Sridhar Maharaj for inspiration after Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur left this world in 1937. One his most renowned Godbrothers, Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad, prior to his own departure in 1977, recommended that his disciples should approach Srila Sridhar Maharaj for spiritual guidance, and many of Srila Prabhupad's followers found shelter in him.

Srila Sridhar Maharaj has been universally appreciated for his high realizations, his literary contributions to the Vaishnava, or devotional line established by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, his personal warmth and his humble nature, and his leadership in the Divine Succession of the followers of Srila Rupa Goswami.

Since his departure from this world in 1988, Srila Sridhar Maharaj has been represented by his chosen successor and dear disciple, Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev Goswami Maharaj.

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QUOTATIONS FROM SRILA SRIDHAR MAHARAJ'S BOOKS

The Search for Sri Krishna:: We must establish ourselves in the plane of reality, and try our best to extend it to others. And to preach means this: "I sincerely have faith in Krishna consciousness and relish it to the utmost. I find that my future prospect is also here. Because I feel that it is very tasteful, useful, and wholesome, I have come to distribute it to you, my friends. We should guide our lives according to the principles of Krishna consciousness as taught by the Spiritual Master. Take it, and you will be successful in fulfilling the goal of your life."

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SRILA SRIDHAR MAHARAJ'S DIVINE DESIRE & TESTAMENT

"The said Sriman Bhakti Sundar Govinda Maharaj, of whom I, Srila Bhakti Rakshak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj, am the Godfather, and am by caste Gaudiya-Vaishnava Brahmin, and am by occupation a Religious Preacher and Worshipper of the Deities at the address Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, P.O. and Police Station Nabadwip -- the said Sriman Bhakti Sundar Govinda Maharaj, who, despite temporarily changing his formal position, was named and recognized by me as Sri Govinda Sundar Vidyaranjan and engaged by me in all the various services of the Math; and upon whom on the 6th November 1985 I conferred the order of sannyasa whence I again named and recognized him as Sri Bhakti Sundar Govinda Maharaj; and, since he has tirelessly and whole-heartedly assisted in the duties of organizing and developing this Math and also in the duties of establishing and developing Calcutta and Hapaniya Centers, etc., and since he has arranged many donors and has provided much encouragement to even myself in the duties of managing the Math, etc., and all the above-mentioned tasks he is still performing up to this day; and since he is still naturally disposed to serve the Math and its residents, and at all times he is endeavoring for the progressive development of Sri Math, and above all, he is well-known and unanimously acclaimed as being firmly established in the philosophy of the Perfect Axiomatic Truth [Siddhanta] of Bhakti as propounded by both myself as well as by my Divine Master -- thus, I hereby appoint him as my Successor Sevaite [Successor Guardian-servitor], Acharya, and President.

"In compliance with the Rules and Regulations of the aforesaid Deed, all my lawful claims, directorship, and rights will automatically be inherited by him. In all my Maths, etc., he alone shall as the Acharya, confer initiation, etc., and shall as the Sevaite [Guardian-servitor] and President, manage all the duties of my established Temples, Ashrams, etc.

"Hereby, I do reveal my final desire and directives unto all my Eastern and Western lady and gentlemen disciples, as well as to the faithful souls devoted to the Divinity, that: they must respect him as the exclusive Acharya and President, and remain faithful to him and cooperate with him in the service duties of the Math.

"If anyone cannot honor these directives and this final desire of mine, then they shall be bound to dissociate themselves from my established Maths."

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