Srila Bhakti Swarup Sridhara Maharaja

A Devoted Life

Srila Bhakti Swarup Sridhara Maharaja is an accomplished Sanskrit scholar and bona fide practitioner and teacher of Bhakti-yoga. He is renowned for his deep and uncanny realizations of the Vedic scriptures, clear, enchanting and precise speaking style, as well as his genuine humility, kindness, friendliness, and compassion for all. Srila Maharaj is a beloved disciple of Srila Bhakti Vaibhava Puri Goswami Maharaja, who is a direct disciple of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur, and a great general in his mission, opening more than 27 centers in India and around the world.

Born on October 5, 1972, near Jagannatha Puri in the Indian state of Orissa, Srila Maharaja was spiritually inclined from an early age. While studying Mechanical Engineering, he encountered Bhagavad-gītā As It Is by Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, which inspired his journey on the path of Bhakti. Despite his deepening devotion, he was determined to complete his degree, wearing tilak to classes and excelling academically—receiving job offers from multiple top firms.

At the age of 17, in 1989, he received Harinama initiation and, in 1993, formally joined the Sri Krishna Chaitanya Gaudiya Matha. The day after joining, he took diksha-mantra initiation from his Gurudeva and committed his life fully to devotional service. Just a week later, following his Guru’s instruction, he enrolled in a seven-year course of Sanskrit and Srimad-Bhagavatam studies in the holy town of Vrindavana. During this time, he also regularly heard from Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayana Goswami Maharaja.

In 1997, at the age of 24, he accepted the renounced order of sannyasa from Srila Bhakti Vaibhava Puri Goswami Maharaja. Since then, Srila Maharaja has traveled extensively, preaching the message of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu with sincerity and depth. He has circled the globe many times, regularly traveling to Europe and North America. His audiences are consistently moved by his profound scriptural insight, warm personal dealings, and authentic mood of service.