Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha (24 April 1924 - 21 April 2017) was a disciple of Bhakti Dayita Madhava and an acharya and initiating spiritual master (Sri Guru) in the Gaudiya Math following the philosophy of the Bhakti marg, specifically of Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Gaudiya Vaishnava theology. He was the President Acharya of Sree Chaitanya Gaudiya Math, headquartered at Kolkata, West Bengal, India and having more than 22 branches in India.[1] He was president of the World Vaisnava Association and founder of GOKUL (Global organization for Krishna Chaitanya's Universal Love).[2]
He wrote extensively in Bengali, Hindi, and English. His most read and referenced book is Sri Caitanya and His Associates, which details the lives of an entire lineage of Gaudiya Vaishnava spiritual leaders, from the 10th century to the present day.[citation needed]
Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha died on April 21, 2017, at the Sree Caitanya Gaudiya Math Temple, Kolkata.[3] His samadhi was installed on April 22 in the holy city of Mayapur at Sree Chaitanya Gaudiya math, Mayapur.
Early life
He was born on 13 April 1924, on the day of Ram Navami, in Goalpara, Assam, India.[4] He is a disciple of Bhakti Dayita Madhava, who founded Sree Chaitanya Gaudiya Math in 1953. He was appointed as the president for Sree Chaitanya Gaudiya Math in 1979. He also serves as the president of the World Vaishnava Association (WVA).[5]
Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Maharaj left the world on the night of April 20, 2017 at his temple in the city of Calcutta in the Indian state of West Bengal. On April 22 a large procession was carried out from Calcutta to the city of Mayapur in the same state. In the temple of Sri Chaitanya Gaudiya Math the Vedic rituals pertinent to the Rupanuga branch were finally carried out and their body was covered with lime and a temple known as "samadhi" will be built there.
Publications
One of the major contributions of Srila Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Maharaj are the books authored by him. His books are based on Vedic scriptures and are clear reflections of the teachings of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and of Gaudiya Vaishnavism. Below is the list of his books:
Affectionately Yours-Divine Letters This book is an extensive collection of letters (1981-2012) written by Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha to his disciples as a response to their spiritual inquiries.
Sages, Saints and Kings of Ancient India This book is a compilation of pastimes of legendary personalities from Vedic Scriptures such as Bhagavata Purana, Mahabharata and Ramayana.
