Bhaktikevala, known as Pramoda Bihari from birth, was born in 1895 AD. in the Bengali month of Agrahayana (Nov-Dec), on the eighth day of the dark fortnight, in the village of Banaripara, Barisal district. His father was Sri Saratcandra Guhathakurata and mother, Srimati Bhuvanamohini, both of which were extremely pious. From childhood Audulomi was endowed with a calm and quiet temperament. He graduated with distinction from the Calcutta University in 1919, thereafter he studied philosophy in Kasi for a few month and later was employed as a teacher. However, understanding the transient nature of this world, he soon became disenchanted with his work and took shelter of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati.
At his initiation Prabhupada Sarasvati gave him the name Patitapavana dasa brahmacari. During his brahmacari days he was engaged in temple services, such as caring for the deity. Some years later Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati initiated him into tridanda sannyasa, giving him the name Bhaktikevala Audulomi Maharaja. From that time he was engaged in preaching throughout India. He was one amongst the sannyasi and brahmacari disciples of Bhaktisiddhanta who was chosen to preach the message of Lord Caitanya throughout the world. He was also fortunate enough to be blessed with the darsana of Bhaktivinoda Thakura, whereupon he became inspired to seriously take up the study of the sastras.
Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, the founder of the Gaudiya Math, left this world on January 1, 1937 AD. Afterwards, Bhaktiprasada Puri Gosvami succeeded as the Acarya of the Gaudiya Math mission. In March 1940, Bhaktiprasada Puri gave Audulomi the assignment of undertaking Navadvipadhama parikrama. Thus for seven consecutive years, Audulomi Maharaja not only led the parikrama, but also acted as the head of the entire Navadvipa mandala and Sri Caitanya Matha. In 1943 he was selected as a member of the Gaudiya Mission Paricarya committee. He also took an active part in publishing and distributing devotional books. He translated Lord Caitanya’s Siksamrta into English. Around this time Bhaktiprasada Puri gave a series of discourses on Bhaktisandarbha at Mayapura, which Audulomi attended and listened to with rapt attention.
For some years, while observing Urjavrata, Audulomi Maharaja traveled and preached widely throughout Maimansimha, Naryanaganj, and Dhaka in East Bengal. After completing his vow in October 1953, and bathing in the Jamuna, he took up the garb of paramahamsa.
At the Kumbha Mela festival held in Prayaga in January 1954, a huge sankirtana procession was organized by the Sri Rupa Gaudiya Math and the procession was led by Audulomi. For some days afterwards Maharaja gave classes in the hall of the Math on Sri Bhaktisandarbha.
In December 1953 the president of the Gaudiya Mission, Bhaktipradipa Tirtha Gosvami, expired. Afterwards, February 16, 1954, Bhaktikevala Audulomi became the next president/acarya of the Mission. At that point Sundarananda Vidyavinod resigned from the post of secretary, whereupon Srirupa Bhagavata Maharaja became the acting secretary, and Sripad Bhavavandhacchida dasa Bhaktisaurabha was appointed the joint secretary. After taking the position of president/acarya, Bhaktikevala Audulomi visited various parts of India to inspect the Mathas. In the course of his travels he gave instructions and diksa to many devotees.
Under his guidance and inspiration a new temple, along with a nata-mandira (congregation hall), residence for devotees, and a bhajana kutir were constructed at Cirulia village in the district of Midnapur. Similar construction work was done at Kisorapura in Vrndavana, as well as Godrumadvipa, Navadvipa, Patna, Puri, and Lucknow. Audulomi continuously visited various mathas to deliver lectures on the teachings of Lord Gauranga, leaving deep impressions upon the minds of his listeners. Annual Vrajamandala parikrama, introduced by Audulomi (1957-1960), is still being observed regularly.
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