His Divine Grace Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Goswami Maharaja appeared in 1924 in Assam, India, on Rama-Navami, the most auspicious appearance day of the Supreme Lord Krishna in His form as Ramachandra. Having been brought up in a pious environment, he developed a strong inclination to search for the ultimate goal of life, which led him to take up the study of philosophy at Calcutta University.

While studying at the university, he came in contact with his spiritual master, His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Dayita Madhava Goswami Maharaj, and immediately became attracted by his transcendentally powerful personality. After completing his Masters Degree in Philosophy in 1947, Srila Tirtha Maharaja wholeheartedly and unreservedly dedicated his life to the service of his spiritual master.

His service attitude was so exemplary that soon Srila Madhava Maharaja established him as the secretary of the devotional institution known as Sree Chaitanya Gaudiya Matha, which has over twenty ashramas (monasteries) in India alone. He was awarded sannyasa, the order of renunciation, in 1961. Eventually, Srila Madhava Maharaja, seeing his disciple’s degree of dedication and sincerity combined with a practical mind, selected him as his worthy successor. After the disappearance of his beloved Spiritual Master Srila Madhava Goswami Maharaja in 1979, Srila Tirtha Maharaja was appointed as President-Acharya of the Math. He has received the fortunate blessings and great affection of many of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta’s prominent followers, such as Srila Bhakti Rakshaka Sridhar Deva Goswami Maharaja, Srila Bhakti Promode Puri Goswami Maharaja, Srila Bhakti Hridaya Van Goswami Maharaja, Srila Bhakti Akinchana Krishna Dasa Babaji Maharaja, Srila Bhakti Kumud Sant Goswami Maharaja and many others.

For the last five decades, Srila Tirtha Maharaja has been engaged in the propagation of the all-embracing doctrine of transcendental Divine Love of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to counter the present trend of violence and cruelty, and to bring about unity of hearts among all, irrespective of caste, creed or religion. "Example is better than precept" is his way of preaching. Srila Tirtha Maharaja is known for not deviating even one inch outside of the four corners of the prescripts of the Holy Scriptures. His Divine Grace is a renowned authority on Gaudiya Vaishnava philosophy and he is beloved by thousands of devotees throughout the world as the very embodiment of humility and spiritual affection.

Now at the age of 82, inspired by the grace of his Gurudeva, Srila Tirtha Maharaja is always on the move, going from towns to villages in India and also abroad, propagating the divine message of the Bhagavad Gita and the Srimad Bhagavatam.

His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Goswami Maharaja is the present President-Acharya of the Sri Chaitanya Gaudiya Math devotional institution and the Founder-of GOKUL (Global Organisation of Krishnachaitanya’s Universal Love). He also serves as president of the World Vaishnava Association (WVA).

His Divine Grace has authored numerous articles and books in several Indian languages as well as English. To date, his books in English include Suddha Bhakti, Sages of Ancient India, A Taste of Transcendence, Dasavatara, Sri Chaitanya: His Life and Associates, The Holy life of Srila B.D. Madhava Goswami Maharaj, Guru Tattva, Affectionately yours Hari Katha and Vaishnava Aparadha, Sri Archana Paddhati; and the present book, Nectar of Hari Katha.