Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura
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Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur (1874-1937), the well-known preacher of Gaudiya Vaishnavism, was born Bimal Prasad Dhutt in the seaside pilgramge town of Jagganath Puri, Orissa, India. His father was the Vaishnava scholar Sri Kedarnath Dhutt, later known as Bhaktivinode Thakur, the first to present the teachings of Chaitanyite Vaishnavism to the English speaking world and was a notable Gaudiya Vaishnava Theologian. Bimal Prasad was imbued with fiery preaching spirit as well as keen intellect.
By the time he was twenty-five years old, Bimala Prasada had acquired an impressive reputation as a scholar of Sanskrit, mathematics, and astronomy. His astronomical treatise, Surya Siddhanta, won him the title Siddhanta Sarasvati in recognition of his immense learning. In 1905, following the advice of his father, Siddhanta Sarasvati accepted spiritual initiation from Gaurakisora dasa Babaji. Although Gaurakisora dasa Babaji was renowned as a saintly person and great devotee of Krishna, he was illiterate. Satisfied with the humility and dedication of his highly educated disciple, Srila Gaurikisora gave him his full blessings and requested him to "preach the Absolute Truth and keep aside all other work." Siddhanta Sarasvati then proved himself a capable assistant in the missionary work of his father.
Upon the death of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura in 1914, Siddhanta Sarasvati became editor of his father's journal, Sajjana-tosani, and founded the Bhagwat Press for publication of Vaishnava literature. Then in 1918, Siddhanta Sarasvati accepted the renounced order of spiritual life, assuming the title Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Maharaja. For the purpose of propagating Krishna-bhakti throughout India, he organized the Gaudiya Math, with sixty-four branches throughout the country. The headquarters of his mission, the Caitanya Gaudiya Math, was located in Sridhama Mayapur, the birthplace of Lord Caitanya. He would later send disciples to Europe for missionary work.
Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati adjusted the traditions of Gaudiya Vaishnavism to conform with the technological and the social condition of the twentieth century. He considered the printing press the most effective means of spreading Krsna consciousness throughout the world and was himself the author of may important translations, commentaries, and philosophical essays. Among his many disciples are the well-known Acharyas A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder of ISKCON; and Bhakti Rakshak Sridhar Maharaj of the Chaitanya Saraswath Math in Navadvip, India.