Nityalila Pravisht Om Visnupada 108 Sri Srimad Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Goswami Thakur Prabhupad’’s dearmost disciple, who received pancaratriki-diksha and tridanda-sannyasa from him, who founded the Institute of Oriental Philosophy in Sridham Vrindavan, who preached Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’’s doctrines of pure love in Eastern and Western countries in English, Hindi and Bengali languages, who was an eloquent speaker, Pujyapada Tridandi Swami Sri Srimad Bhakti Hridaya Van Maharaj, on last 1 Sridhar (496 Gaurabdha), 22 Ashadh (1389 according to the Bengali calendar), Wednesday 7 July (1982), on the 2nd day of dark fortnight in Uttarshadha-nakshatra, near the Samadhi temple of Srila Sanatan Goswami, the dearmost associate of Sriman Mahaprabhu, at his Bhajan-ashram named “bhajan-kutir” at Kalia-daha, at 9:04 pm, remembering the lotus feet of Sri Sri Radha Madan Mohan Jiyu, amidst the incessant Krishna-sankirtan by his disciples, entered into the eternal pastime of Sri Sri Radha Govinda Jiyu in a fully conscious state. Though, the bliss experienced by the personal associate of Sri Radhika, regaining the proximity of Sri Sri Nayanmani’s lotus feet, is boundless, in the earthly realm, being forever deprived of his direct association, we are submerged in the ocean of tremendous separation grief.

kṛpā kari' kṛṣṇa more diyāchilā saṅga
svatantra kṛṣṇera icchā, — kailā saṅga-bhaṅga
(Chaitanya Charitamrita Antya 11.97 and 11.94)

“Being merciful upon Me, Krishna gave Me his association. Being independent in His desires, He has now taken away his association.”

The dear associates of Paramaradhya Srila Prabhupad, one-by-one, not able to tolerate the extreme intolerable separation-grief of the lotus feet of Sri Sri Guru, are gradually taking their magnificent journey towards his feet which are as soothing as the light of crores of moons. The goddess earth is gradually getting bereft of the precious gems. These precious gems, the devotees, possessing pure love for the Supreme Lord are the real precious wealth of the goddess of earth.

In 1918, after Srila Prabhupad took sannyasa on the full-moon day of the month Phalgun in Sri Dham Mayapur and took a vow to preach the message of pure-devotion of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu throughout the world, devotees of different calibers started coming to him and took his shelter. Pujyapad Van Maharaj is one amongst all those exalted devotees sent by the Supreme Lord. He appeared on 23rd March, 1901 in the village named Bahar of Vikrampur Paragana in Dhaka district in a Brahminical family firmly dedicated to their duties. His revered father, Brahmarshi Rajanikant Mukhopadhyaya Jyotishacharya (the acharya of astrology), had a strong reputation in the Vikrampur Brahminical society. Pujyapad Van Maharaj’’s highly devoted revered mother was honored as “brahmarshi-grihini”. The name given to him by his father was “Narendranath Mukhopadhyaya”. The former residence of his family was at Phulia near Shantipur in the Nadia district. Sri Sushenan Pandit, Sri Jagadananda Pandit and Sarvabhauma Sri Madhavananda Pandit—these three brothers were dear associates of Sriman Mahaprabhu. Everyone knows about the loving quarrels between Sriman Mahaprabhu and His dearest Jagadananda. Sri Narendranath comes in the lineage of the third brother Sri Madhavananda. One of the descendants in this lineage named Sri Parvaticharan Mukhopadhyaya was married to the daughter of Sri Virchandra Prabhu, the son of Sriman Nityananda Prabhu. In this lineage, many saints and sannyasis have manifested. Bhakti-pravara Sri Arjuna Mishra, the commentator of Srimad Bhagavad Gita, and poet Sri Kirtivas, who composed Sri Ramayana scripture in the Bengali language as Payara-chhanda, are also from the same lineage.

Since childhood, Sri Narendranath had a natural affection towards the pastimes of Lord Sri Krishna. Later, in his Math-life, this affection gradually became even more stronger. For some time, he studied in the school established by the father and ancestors of the renowned patriot Mahatma C.R. Das in the village of Telirbagh (located 1 mile away from Bahar village), which is the birthplace of Mahatma C.R. Das. After studying there, he took admission to Ranchi English Mission School in 1914. After passing his B.A. examination in due course from the university in Patna, he rented a house in Dhaka, Gandaria Palli, for the treatment of his father. Being the tenth and youngest son of his father, he received immense affection. He was beloved by both teachers and students in school and college. He was a very talented student. He studied English and achieved proficiency in the language. His exceptional talent in acting was also evident in dramas and other performances in school. However, his mind started to become restless. The affection and attachments of family and friends were no longer a matter of contemplation for him. “Where can I find a true spiritual master? How can I make my life meaningful by performing Krishna-bhajan?” These thoughts became overwhelmingly intense for him. It was at this time, by the grace of the Lord, that he came in contact with Sri Madhva Gaudiya Math in Dhaka. After listening to the transcendental glories of Srila Prabhupad from the Math's devotees, with the desire to have his darshan (sight), he hurriedly reached Kolkata. There, at Sri Gaudiya Math, by receiving Srila Prabhupad's darshan, experiencing his unlimited affection and by hearing the incomparably potent Harikatha from him, he became prepared to live a new life. After listening to Harikatha for a few days, he was asked to write an essay in his own language. The essay he wrote was published as an essay named “Aatmiya” in the second year's 48th issue (10 Shravan, 1331 according to the Bengali calendar; 26 July 1924) of Gaudiya Saptahik (weekly). That essay was published under his previous name “Narendranath”.

After a few days, he received Pancharatrika Diksha from Srila Prabhupada and became known as Sri Nandasunu Brahmachari. And after some more time, on the 19th of Bhadra (1332 according to the Bengali calendar), September 4, 1925, Sri Nandasunu Brahmachari and Sri Gaurandu Brahmachari accepted the renounced order of life (sannyasa) from Srila Prabhupad and became renowned as Tridandi Swami Srimad Bhakti Hridaya Van Maharaj and Tridandi Swami Srimad Bhakti Sarvasva Giri Maharaj.

On 16 Magh, 1331 according to the Bengali calendar, Thursday, January 29, 1925, on the appearance day of Sri Vishnupriya Devi, under the guidance of Srila Prabhupad, Sri Gauda-mandal-parikrama commenced. Following the orders of Srila Prabhupad, Sri Nandasunu Brahmachari spoke at many places and meticulously performed various services to Sri Guru and Vaishnavas by which he attracted profuse affection and love of Sri Gurupadpadma.

In April, 1926, Srila Van Maharaj delivered a discourse in Chakradharpur on Sanatan-dharma which was like the real medicine for the heart and ears. From there, his delivery of discourses in English commenced. His eloquence was the inherent power bestowed upon him by the Supreme Lord which was further enriched by the mercy of Srila Prabhupad. He had the ability to speak in Bengali, English and Hindi incessantly for hours and hours.

Taking the mercy of Srila Prabhupad in the form of his blessings and guidance, Srila Maharaj vigorously preached the doctrines of pure devotion of Sri Guru and Gauranga, spreading them extensively from the sea to the Himalayas—from one end of India to the other—with unwavering enthusiasm through his enlightening discourses. Srila Prabhupad, filled with immense pride in his disciple's accomplishments, made the decision to send him across the ocean to the Western countries. If we were to provide an extensive description of his accomplishments, both within India and beyond its borders, it would give rise to a monumental literary work.

He made regional governors, viceroys, dignified personalities, and highly respected individuals listen to the glories of the Lord and deeply immersed their minds. Because of which, before going to the foreign counties, he got many contacts from them. In our mission, pure devotional discussions take precedence, and there is no scope for crafty-political talks; hence, those eminent personalities wholeheartedly introduced Srila Maharaj to their dear ones without any hesitation. After receiving diksha and teachings from Sri Gurupadapadma, Srila Maharaj wholeheartedly embraced the principle of exclusive devotion to Gurudev, steadfastly dedicating his body, mind, and speech to fulfill Gurudev's heart's desire. Not a single moment was seen where he directed his attention away from the wholehearted service of Sri Hari, Guru, and Vaishnava.

From 1924 to 1927 he preached the message of Sri Guru and Gauranga in various parts of Bangladesh. In the renowned Albert Hall of Kolkata, three sequential lectures of Srila Maharaj require special mention where the three distinguished personalities, vice Chancellor Sir John Akurhata, justice Sir Manmath Nath Mukherjee, and justice Dr. D.N. Mitra chaired the assemblies. Swamiji propagated the teachings of Sriman Mahaprabhu in various languages in different educated and noble societies, including universities and prominent colleges of Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, as well as among cultured communities and royal families of Andhra, Madras, Mysore, Cochin, and Travancore states from 1928 to 1932. By the immense mercy of Srila Prabhupad, branches of the Sri Gaudiya Math were established successively at Madras, at Kovur (the meeting place of Sri Ramanand Ray) and subsequently at Kashi, Naimisharanya, Kurukshetra, and others. The establishment of these Math and temples, serving as centers for the propagation of the message of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, brought great bliss to Srila Prabhupad, owing to the sincere efforts and selfless service of Srila Van Maharaj.

One of Srila Prabhupad's cherished pursuits was to impart the message of pure devotion through the medium of his spiritual Sat-śikṣā Pradarśinī exhibitions. Srila Van Goswami Maharaja was significantly involved in designing and decorating the exhibits in Sridhama Mayapura, Kolkata, Dhaka, Patna, Kashi, Prayaga, and Kurukshetra. He was particularly involved in designing the dioramas of Sri Govardhana and the sakhis' groves at Sri Radhakunda for an exhibition in Sri Dhama Mayapura.

Later, from 1933 to 1936, his foreign tour and the propagation of Sri Chaitanya Vani in the educated, dignified society of Western countries were directly indicative of Srila Prabhupad's unlimited blessings upon him. Due to the profound influence of the merciful power infused by Srila Gurudev, Srila Maharaj's preaching of the divine message of Sri Guru Gauranga resonated remarkably in the intelligent class of England, Germany, and other places. On July 20, 1933, at Buckingham Palace, in the presence of King George V and Queen Mary, Srila Maharaj had the opportunity to chant the divine teachings of Sri Mahaprabhu's loving religion.