Bhaktipradipa Tirtha Maharaja, originally named Jagadisa, was born in Sandvipa Hatiya, Noakhali District (now Bangladesh) to Rajanikanta Vasu and Bidhumukhi Vasu. His father, a government employee, was a disciple of the Gosvami family of Baghnapada, and both parents were initiated by Bhaktivinoda Thakura. Later, Rajanikanta accepted the vow of Babaji from Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, while Bidhumukhi spent her last days in Navadvipa.
After graduating from Calcutta University, Jagadisa worked as a teacher in Calcutta, living with his wife. His younger brother, Ananta Vasu, later became known as Bhaktiprasada Puri Gosvami.
On March 25, 1910, Jagadisa, accompanied by Vaikunthanatha Ghosal (Bhaktitattva Vacaspati), traveled to Mayapura for the appearance day of Lord Caitanya, where he first met Bhaktivinoda Thakura. In the presence of Siddhanta Sarasvati, Jatindranatha, the Zamindar of Taki, and other devotees, Jagadisa fell prostrate before Bhaktivinoda Thakura, who advised him to take up the service of preaching Lord Caitanya’s message.
Following the advice of Siddhanta Sarasvati, Jagadisa visited Gaurakisora dasa Babaji at Kuliya, offering obeisances and a watermelon. Babaji, accepting the offering, requested Jagadisa to lead kirtana and instructed him to be humble, tolerant, avoid dishonest association, and chant the holy names constantly. Babaji assured him that Bhaktivinoda Thakura would shower mercy and that Mayapura was the proper place to dedicate oneself to service of the Lord.
Jagadisa returned to Mayapura, where, after shaving his head and bathing in the Ganges, he received mantra-diksha from Bhaktivinoda Thakura at Godruma. He relished remnants of prasada from his spiritual master and studied under Bhaktivinoda, who expounded on the Sikshastaka, while Krsnadasa Babaji also contributed explanations.
Shortly after initiation, Jagadisa, along with Vasanta Babu and Manmatha Babu, underwent Upanayana under Siddhanta Sarasvati, receiving Brahman Gayatri, Guru Gayatri, and Gauranga Gayatri. Appreciating his dedication to sastras and service, Siddhanta Sarasvati conferred upon him the title Bhaktipradipa, and later Vidyavinod Bhaktisastri Sampradaya Vaibhavacarya after completion of the examination.
Jagadisa spent much time serving his spiritual master at Godruma, reciting from Chaitanya-charitamrita while Bhaktivinoda offered commentary. Early each morning, Jagadisa and other devotees performed sankirtana throughout Godruma, chanting: “Nadia Godruma Nityananda Mahajana.” On June 23, 1914, the evening of Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s disappearance, he was present to hear Thakura’s invaluable instructions refuting materialistic arguments and Smartavada.
After the disappearance of his wife, Jagadisa accepted the renounced order under Siddhanta Sarasvati in Kartika (Oct-Nov) 1920, receiving the name Tridandisvami Bhaktipradipa Tirtha Maharaja. Following instructions from Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, he traveled to eastern Bengal to propagate the teachings of Lord Caitanya, preaching from East Bengal to Orissa via Calcutta, Burdwan, and Midnapur. He was the first sannyasi disciple of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, and later 24 other disciples, qualified with western education, also took sannyasa from Siddhanta Sarasvati and were sent across India.
On March 18, 1933, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati addressed Bhaktipradipa, Bhaktihridaya, and Samvidananda Bhaktisastri prior to their preaching mission to Europe, where Bhaktipradipa propagated Sri Caitanya’s teachings, translated the life of Gaurasundara, and portions of the Bhagavad-gita into English.
Bhaktipradipa was present when Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati departed on Pausa 15, 1343 (Dec. 31, 1936). On March 26, 1937 (Gaura Purnima), Bhaktiprasada Puri Gosvami was appointed Acarya of Yogapitha, and Bhaktipradipa delivered the inaugural address on behalf of the sannyasis.
At the first annual general meeting of the Sri Caitanya Math (1941), Bhaktipradipa was elected President of the Gaudiya Mission (registered under the 1860 Act). At the age of 82, he retired to Purusottama Math, Jagannatha-ksetra, engaging in meditation under the advice of senior gurus.
On the Purnima tithi of Agrahayana, 1360 (1954), Bhaktipradipa Maharaja gave his final instructions to the devotees, meticulously performing his daily sadhana, reciting from Gaurangasmaranamangalam, Svaniyamadasakam, and Srimad-Bhagavatam (10th canto, Brahmastavas). Sitting on a new asana, offering water to Tulasi, reciting prayers, and listening to Anathanatha Dasa read the madhya-lila, he concluded with the prayer: “Oh Gaura, Oh Nitai, Oh Gadadhara,” and peacefully departed from this world, absorbed in the holy names.
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