Jagannatha Babaji

Photo of Jagannatha Dasa Babaji (c. 1890)

Jagannatha Dasa Babaji ( Jagannātha Dāsa Bābājī ^IAST ; 1776 - 1894 ) - Gaudiya Vaishnava saint. He took spiritual initiation from Jagadananda Goswami from Vrindavan , and later accepted the initiation of babaji from Madhusadana Dasa Babaji . His personal example inspired many followers of Gaudiya Vaishnavism. Bhaktivinoda Thakur called him "the commander in chief of all devotees ."

Jagannatha Dasa Babaji was born in a small Bengal village located in the modern Tangail district of Bangladesh . There is no consensus on the year of his birth. Typically, various dates are indicated between 1750 and 1800 .

In 1880, Jagannatha Dasa Babaji first met Bhaktivinoda Thakura and became his Shiksha Guru (Mentor Guru). Jagannatha Dasa Babaji also gave spiritual initiation to Bhagavad Das Babaji and Gaurakishora Das Babaji , who later accepted the disciples of Bhaktivinoda, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati , as disciples. It is said that the young Bhaktisiddhanta, known for his extensive knowledge of astronomy , at the request of Jagannatha Dasa Babaji created a Vaishnava calendar in which he indicated all the significant days, including the days of the appearance and departure of Vaisnava saints.

Jagannatha Dasa Babaji spent the last years of his life in the holy places of Vrindavan and Navadvipa , where he performed bhajan and japa , worshiping Radha and Krishna . His devotion to Caitanya Mahaprabhu and instructions in the field of Vaisnava theology Bhaktivinode Thakuru and Gaurakishora Dasu Babaji secured him the place of one of the members of the Gaudiya Vaisnava guru parampara .