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SRI SRI BRAHMA MADHVA-GAUDIYA VAISHNAVA GURU PARAMPARA

Sri Brahma-Madhva-Gaudiya Vaishnava Guru Parampara is a lineage within the broader tradition of Gaudiya Vaishnavism, a Hindu religious movement that emphasizes devotion (bhakti) to Lord Krishna as the supreme deity. This lineage traces its spiritual heritage back through a succession of spiritual masters (gurus) who have transmitted the teachings of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and his associates. Here’s a brief overview of this lineage: Lord Krishna: Considered the Supreme Personality of Godhead in Hinduism, Krishna is revered as the source of all incarnations and the ultimate object of devotion. Brahma: The first spiritual master in the Guru Parampara, Brahma is traditionally credited with receiving transcendental knowledge directly from Krishna and disseminating it to his disciples. Madhvacharya: Also known as Anandatirtha, Madhvacharya (1238–1317) was a prominent philosopher and theologian in the Dvaita Vedanta tradition. He emphasized the concept of dualism, asserting the eternal distinction between the individual soul (jiva) and God (Brahman). Madhvacharya’s teachings heavily influenced Gaudiya Vaishnavism. Sripad Madhavendra Puri: A renowned saint and a prominent figure in the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition, Madhavendra Puri (c. 14th century) is revered as the spiritual master of Ishvara Puri, who later became the guru of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Ishvara Puri: A disciple of Madhavendra Puri, Ishvara Puri is revered as the spiritual master of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who went on to propagate the congregational chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra and the philosophy of Gaudiya Vaishnavism. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu: Also known as Gauranga or Sri Krishna Chaitanya, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (1486–1534) is considered an incarnation of Lord Krishna in the mood of his own devotee. He popularized the practice of sankirtan (congregational chanting) and emphasized the importance of devotion to Krishna as the supreme path to spiritual liberation. Sri Rupa Goswami and Sri Sanatana Goswami: These two brothers were among the chief disciples of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and played a crucial role in codifying the theology and practices of Gaudiya Vaishnavism. They authored many devotional texts, including the foundational scripture “Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu” (The Nectar of Devotion). Sri Jiva Goswami: A prominent theologian and scholar, Jiva Goswami (1513–1598) was a nephew of Rupa and Sanatana Goswamis. He wrote extensively on Gaudiya Vaishnava philosophy and authored several important works, including “Sat-sandarbha” and “Bhakti-sandarbha.” Sri Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura: A prominent figure in the 20th century revival of Gaudiya Vaishnavism, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura (1874–1937) was the founder of the Gaudiya Math organization. He propagated the teachings of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu through extensive preaching and writing, emphasizing the importance of strict adherence to spiritual discipline and the dissemination of Krishna consciousness worldwide. His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada: The founder-acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), Prabhupada (1896–1977) played a pivotal role in popularizing Gaudiya Vaishnavism and the teachings of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in the West. He translated and commented on numerous Vedic scriptures, including the “Bhagavad-gita” and the “Srimad-Bhagavatam,” and established ISKCON centers worldwide to propagate Krishna consciousness. This lineage represents a transmission of spiritual wisdom and practices from one generation to the next, all rooted in the teachings of Lord Krishna and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.