MADRAS SRI GAUDIYA MATH

PLATINUM JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS

1932-2007

A short note about Sri Gaudiya Math, Madras

Sri Gaudiya Math, Madras was established in the year 1932 as one of the 64
branches of Sri Chaitanya Math, Sree Mayapur, the Birth Place of Sri
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu situated in West Bengal (parent organization of
Gaudiya Vaishnava Movement spread throughout the world).

In the 15th Century due to political turmoil and rigid casteism the people of
the country were oppressed and rampant conversion was going on. So to
save the Sanatana Dharma the Supreme Lord Himself made His Advent as
Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and by propagating the religion of Love and
fraternity brought the people into one fold without any distinction of caste,
creed, colour or nation. To Him Love is only the criterion before which no
other socio-religious distinction could prevail. He proclaimed equality of
human race in the field of God-Love. Through His hurricane tour in
preaching the religion throughout the country He flooded the entire country
with the current of Bhakti or devotion to the God. People from all walks of
life particularly the intelligentsia not only subscribed to His view but also
dedicated themselves to the cause of His mission. Sri Raya Ramananda, the
then Governor of South Zone of Orissa kingdom, Sri Sanatana and Sri Rupa,
the ministers of king Hussain Shah, Sri Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya, the
greatest Vedantic Scholar, who was the court-pandit of king Pratapa Rudra
and host of others dedicated themselves to His cause. So in no time a vast
literature grew up which is the spiritual guide of people for all times. His
mission was carried out to its prestine glory by the Goswamis of Vrindaban.

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu has special love for South India. He made
extensive tour of South India which took about two years. Therefore the
Founder Acharya of Sri Chaitanya Math, Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati
Goswami Thakur also had special interest for the South and established
several branches in South for propagating the cult for the spiritual benefit of
the people. In due course Sri Gaudiya Math, Madras became one of the
principle centres in South. It has become now popular to the people of the
South for philosophical and theological matters. Besides the masses, the men
of letters are now closely associated with the Math. Owing to innumerable
publications in English, Tamil, Telugu and also through the medium of
discussions and discourses, bhajans, kirtan and occasional religious
celebrations, holding of seminars and symposiums this Madras Centre has
become a great centre of religion.

It has transcended the Sampradayik bigotry. So Swamijis, heads of all

Sampradayas also occasionally come and participate at seminars and even
political savants including Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, Sir
C.Rajagopalachari, almost all the Governors of South States, Ministers, Vice
Chancellors, High Court Judges and high officials have participated and also
closely made or make themselves associated with the Math. The National
Papers, Television, All India Radio also come forward to cover the news of
the seminars, conferences and publishing valuable lessons.

As the Math generally follows the Prema Bhakti of Srimad Bhagavatam and
Bhagavadgita, Sri Krishna Jayanti is celebrated as the annual function of the
Math with a programme of about 15 days and thousands of people
participate.

The Math holds regular discourses and Bhajan twice everyday and six times
puja to the Temple Deities. Dedicated celebates – the Brahmacharis and
Sanyasis who all lead a practical way of Spiritual life are the only persons
residing in the Math and they lead the people and look after the affairs of the
Math. Math does not hold any fund yet its activities are smoothly carried out
with the philanthropic contributions of the devotees. The Math believes
that the essence of religion is not merely confined to just a few rites and
ceremonies, but it remains at a much higher realistic idealism which
might very well be called self-dedication to the Supreme Lord.

Sri Gaudiya Math — a Historical and Descriptive Sketch:

From Lord Sri Krishna, Cause of all causes, the preceptorial line flows
eternally in the following order of spiritual succession, - Sree
Madhavendrapuri being the first seed of the tree of Prema Bhakti. Then
comes Sree Iswar Puri and after him Sree Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the
Absolute Himself, manifesting the Leela of being Recipient of the
transcendental knowledge in the line of Brahma. From Sri Chaitanya the
same preceptorial order is continued through Sree Sanatana Goswami, Sree
Rupa Goswami, Sree Raghunatha Das, Sree Jiva, Sree Kishnadas Kaviraj,
Thakur Narottam, Sree Viswanath Chakravorty, Sri Baladeva Vidyabhushan,
Vaishnava Sarvabhauma Srila Jagannatha, Sree Bhaktivinode Thakur, Srila
Gaura Kishore and His Divine Grace Prabhupad Srila Bhakti Siddhanta
Saraswati Goswami Thakur. This is the Bhagavata Parampara of the Divine
Preceptorial Order.

Later on there came a time when the doctrine of Divine Love was
misrepresented and wrongly practiced in diverse ways and from out of such
apostasies new doctrines sprang forth under the name of the Religion of
Love which came to be misidentified with the principles of the elevationist
and salvationist schools. Sri Viswanath Chakravorty and Sri Baladeva
Vidyabhushan who appeared at a subsequent period, re-asserted the true
standard of the Doctines against enemies and pseudo-followers. Then
followed a period of stagnation, the dark age of the Religion. In this way the
current of the genuine preceptorial teaching remained withdrawn from the
view of the people and its principles and practices were utterly forgotten.
The magnitude of the evil brought about its own remedy. At the moment of
the greatest depression Sri Thakur Bhakti Vinode by the Will of the Supreme
Lord made his appearance in the Divine Preceptorial Order in succession to
Srila Jagannath Das Babaji, the then universally recognized spiritual leader
of the devotees of Brajamandal, Gaudamandal and Kshetramandal, for
making the genuine teaching of Supreme Lord Sree Krishna Chaitanya once
more available to the people. Srila Thakur Bhakti Vinode was a most prolific
writer and his more important published works on the subject of pre
devotion in different languages run up to the neighbourhood of a century. He
edited religious periodicals, rediscovered and edited the standard works of
the Gaudiya school, identified the birth-site of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
and the other sacred places in Navadwipa revived Sri Visva Vaishnava Raj
Sabha founded by Sri Rupa and Sanatana, re-instated in its pre form the
congregational chant of the Holy Name and commenced as active preaching
propaganda from the pulpit.

In furtherance of his purposes Srila Thakur Bhakti Vinode attacked the evil
at its source by undertaking the suppression of the worst transgressions
against public order and decency that were practiced with impunity by the
pseudo-Vaishnavas in Vrajamandal in the name of religion. Srila
Gaurakishore Das Babaji Maharaj who attended the discouruuses of Srila
Thakur Bhakti Vinode as well as Srila Jagannath Das Babaji had been living
in Vrajamandal for a long period before they ultimately settled down in
Gaudamandal, in order by their conduct to bear testimony to the truth of the
doctrine of the identity of Sri Gaudamandal with Sree Vrajamandal. The
revolution in religious thought that was broght abt by these occurrences
which ushered in the new Movement is now known all over the world. To
Srila Bhakti Vinode Thakur all mental speculation, historical secularism,
allegorical interpretation, the points of view of elevationism and
Salvationism alike appeared as mere rubbish by close scrutiny in the light of
the pure Bhagavat Dharma. His precepts nd examples, though they have
since met wit many setbacks in slights and insults, have always maintained
intact their fundamental features of uncompromising relinquishment of
asatsanga and a preservation of the absolute purity of Divine service in the
shape of pleasing the senses of Krishna. This consummation has been due in
small measure to the Transcendental Personality of Srila Bhakti Siddhanta
Saraswati Goswami Thakur, the Founder-Acharya of Sri Gaudiya Maths and
the present Gaudiya Vaishnava Movement throughout the world.

Summoned to take charge of the tiny villa where alone the sage Bhakti
Vinode Thakur hailed the spirit of the Lord Chaitanya, Paramahamsa Srimad
Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Goswami Thakur quietly went there and
remained for a long period absorbed in te devotional activities. He complete
chanting 100 crores of Harinama at that time. A circle of his followers not
more than half a dozen in number headed by Bhagavatarata Acharyatrika
Kunjabehari Vidyabhshan, the life and soul of the Gaudiya organization,
drew the master’s attention to the vital necessity of his removing to Kolkata
so that hundreds of other seekers of truth might profit by his presence.

The various branch Maths were established approximately in the following

order of time. The Teaching of Mahaprabhu was carried beyond the shores
of India by Two Sanyasi preachers Tridandiswami Srimad B.P.Tirtha
Maharaj and Srima BH.Bon Maharaj (in later days Swami A.C.Bhakti
Vedanta preached in western countries and spread Sri Chaitanya’s message
and he established a vast Vaishnava Kingdom). Srila Bhakti Siddhanta
Saraswati Thakur started publishing magazines in Bengali, Oriya, Hindi,
English etc. He set out on the circumambulation of the Gaudamandal with a
large company of devotees and installed 108 Foot-Prints shrines of
Mahaprabhu at those places that have been sanctified by the Dust of His
Divine Feet.

Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Goswami Thakur:

The most revered Swamiji came to fulfill the Mission of Lord Sri Chaitanya
Mahaprabhu and he took up the thread where Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
left. It is he who has given to the modern world an authentic account and
commentary on the life and teachings of Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in
the light of the Upanishads and Vedanta. He established more than sixty-four
Maths throughout India and abroad where Brahmacharis and Sanyasis in
hundreds are trained in monastic life of prity and asceticism to carry his
message from door to door.

The Swamiji was pre-eminently a philosopher. His ideas were rational and
always logical, that was why he neer failed to attract the intelligentsia. He
asked the people not to have a blind faith. Faith, if not solidly based on a
philosophical conception, is likely to be shaken. He was uncompromising
and orthodox in bringing out the Truth in its intrinsic purity. He was a fighter
for the establishment of truth and the dignity of Vaishnava character, an
upholder and protector of Gaudiya Vaishnava Faith. His untiring efforts and
many sided activities for the spread and dissemination of Vaishnavism were
unprecedented in the annals of Vaishnavism.

He is democrat of the democrats. He says: “GOD IS WORSHIPPED NOT

ONLY BY BRAHMINS. EVRYONE HAS THE RIGHT TO CALL UPON
HIM AND WORSHIP HIM. EVERYONE CAN HAVE THE RIGHT TO
WEAR THE SACRD THREAD. GET RID OF YOUR SINS AND
IMPURITIES AND YOU BECOME A BRAHMIN AND NOT
OTHERWISE BY THE ACCIDENT OF YOR BIRTH”. He started a
countrywide movement to carry the message of Lord Sri Chaitanya
Mhaprabhu. His sole aim in life in all this was to see that the Divine
Incarnation, Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabh is recognized and worshipped,
His teachings are followed and His songs are sung in every part of India.
(Now we see his wishes are fulfilled by successive disciples in western
countries also.)

Gaudiya Math – Its Message and Activities:

It may be asked – what does the Gaudiya Math do? Is the Gaudiya Math
merely one other association like the thousands of sects that are to be found
in this world? Or, is the Gaudiya Math one of the many mischievous
organizations that carry on their activities in the world? What work does the
Gaudiya Math do for the benefit of the world? Is the Gaudiya Math
affectionate like a mother, a protector like a father or a helper like a brother?
What good does the Gaudiya Math do to the world, what well-being of
society does it desire, what very valuable service does it render to mankind
that the world, the civilized world, or the whole of mankind, should listen to
its message? --- Many such questions may arise in our minds.

The Gaudiya Math is not an association like the thousands of sects. The
Gaudiya Math is not desirous of the welfare or non-welfare of the world like
other benefit-or-mischief-making societies. The Gaudiya Math does not do
work that is beneficial or harmful in terms of worldly enjoyments. The
Gaudiya Math is neither affectionate nor cruel like a worldly mother, neither
protector nor destroyer like a worldly father, neither helper or enemy like a
worldly brother. What then is this Gaudiya Math that the world should listen
to its words?

The majority of the people of the world, although they profess to be

positivists, fail to see, although it must be quite patent, the greatest of all the
phenomena. They at any rate forget it in practice even when they appear to
know. The greatest of the positivists like Charvaka, although he could not
but have observed this greatest of all the phenomena, failed to take notice of
it; that great phenomenon is generally known by the name of Death If the
memory of this great event is retained in our minds we would assuredly be
solicitous of the Amrita (deathlessness). The Shruti says we are all children
of the Amrita—heirs of the Amrita.

In this world there are found two kinds of endeavour for obtaining this
Amrita. Like unto the sons of kings of the epochs recorded in history some
try to ascend the throne of their father by treason against the father; on the
other hand loyal sons in seeking to be heirs of a kind-hearted and
affectionate father look upon constant service as being both the means and
the end.
The Gaudiya Math understands the last-named as being the appropriate and
eternal method Why is it appropriate? Because – “Sri Krishna, the tidings of
Whom whosoever listens to or sings is sanctified; the Benefactor of all holy
persons appearing in the hearts of all who listen to the accounts of Himself
destroys the evil propensities of their hearts to the very root”. (Srimad
Bhagavatam). This seed of sin or sinful desire or ignorance, Avidya is the
cause of the worldly sojourn of the Jiva.

Just as the best physician, even if the patient evinces a desire for
unwholesome food does not allow it; in like manner he who is himself aware
of Nishreyah, the highest good never advises an ignorant person to do
karma, work for his own interest.
Most people of the world forgetful of their own Home under the spell of the
enchantress are running headlong in the opposite direction – in this
performance again their intoxication, eagerness, concentration and firm
determination are so intense that they have indeed very little opportunity to
think about Home. But the voice of the Gaudiya Math, the flying, red-tinted
banner of Gaudiya Math arresting the ear and the eye of all persons is ever
proclaiming “SAY KRISHNA, COME ALONG: THIS IS THE ONLY
ALMS WE BEG’. ‘BACK TO GOD AND BACK TO HOME IS THE
MESSAGE OF GAUDIYA MATH.’ “TO ARREST THE PERERTEDLY
CURRENT TIDE AND TO REDIRECT IT TOWARDS THE ETERNAL
SOURCE IS THE SEMINGLY UNPLEASANT DUTY OF THE GAUDIYA
MATH.”

The Gaudiya Math says, “All men of the world without exception are our
kin—all bids and beasts, grass and shrubs are our kindred; whatsoever
conscious being wheresoever existing belongs to or Supreme Lord; we shall
conduct our kindred from out of the spells of the enchantress towards Home.
We shall not be showing for the time being sweet sympathy for them by
enabling those who have fallen into the snares of the enchantress t get more
deeply entangled. Even if under spell of the enchantress they fill heaven and
earth with their loud protestations against or endeavours we will still
proclaim the message of the Amrita to them. “Ye that are born as men in the
land of Bharata, attaining the significance of human life do good unto
others.”

The Gaudiya Math embracing all without exception the inhabitants of the
universe, in sadness calling upon all to turn their face towards God to be
preachers of this Bhakti denoted by Kirtana, says—“Ye the righteous
bidding good-bye to everything from a distance, offer the devotion of your
hearts to the Feet of Chaitanya-Chandra”.

The life led by the inmates of the Gaudiya Math is a matter of Supreme
interest to everyone of us. It is not possible to convey the adequate idea of it
by description. It I necessary to live under the roof of the Gaudiya Math with
a perfectly open mind to realize the sirit of its atmosphere of pure service
The Gaudiya Math is not the place for those who are disposed to be merely
critical. They will not find anything that is flattering to their passion of
destructive criticism. Those who are sincerely desirous of learning to live a
life of service and are prepared to put forth their serious endeavour in all real
humility of this purpose are sure to be benefited.
The Gaudiya Math is a truly scientific, catholic, practical seminary for
ensuring the highest spiritual benefit of all persons without distinction of
caste creed, colour, sex or age

Madras Gaudiya Math:

The foundation was laid by Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Goswami

Thakur. Sri Krishna Kirtan Hll’s Foundation was laid by His Excellency Sir
George Frederic Stanley. The Krishna Kirtan Hall’s construction cost was
born by Sri T.Ponnirulu Pillai, Railway Contactor. The pious Donor of the
Gaudiya Math Temple is Maharaja Sri Vikrama De Varma Bahadur of
Jeypore. The place of Gaudiya Math was donated by the family of Sir,
T,Sadasiva Iyer. Before starting in the present place, Gaudiya Math was in a
house at North Gopalapuram (from 1927) which is still existing.