OUR BELOVED GURUDEV
Gurudev’s life and bhajan.
Get to know Gurudev through his own words and the affectionate accounts of his disciples.
01 / AN INTRODUCTION
Meet Gurudev.
Sri Sri Pran Krsna Das Babaji lives at Radha Kund. To his disciples, he is simply Gurudev: a beloved guide in the Gaudiya Vaisnava tradition whose teachings are part of his own daily bhajan.
In their introduction to Drops of Nectar from Srila Gurudev, his disciples speak of hari-nama, humility and seva. They describe Gurudev’s affection for those who come to him and his care for their spiritual life.
These pages draw on Gurudev’s own account and his disciples’ introduction in that volume. As we follow his story, we make clear whose words and experiences we are sharing.
02 / EARLY LIFE
The longing for Vrindavan.
In the opening conversation of Drops of Nectar, Gurudev tells us that he was born in Gugurkul village in Srihatta (Sylhet) District. He recalls the sadhus and kirtan of his childhood, and the impression left by pilgrims returning from Vrindavan.
While still at school, he began to long to see Vrindavan himself. Later, during his studies in Kashi, he spent evenings hearing spiritual discussions. After a time back with his family, he eventually came to Vrindavan and Radha Kund.
With affection, Gurudev remembers the Vaisnavas who gave him shelter and sadhu-sanga. He speaks of their patience and compassion, and how their loving care helped him turn towards bhajan.
“They transformed me slowly, keeping me in their association with love and affection.”
Gurudev’s autobiographical account · English translation
Read the source passage · PDF p. 11
From Drops of Nectar, Volume 1, “Sri Gurudev Describes Part of His Life,” PDF pp. 8–12.
03 / SRI GURU & LINEAGE
The grace of Sri Guru.
Gurudev’s spiritual lineage comes through Sri Nityananda Prabhu. He tells of travelling to Navadwip with Atul Krsna Goswami for the darshan of Prabhupad Sri Yadu Gopal Goswami.
Seeing his future guru speak on the Bhagavatam left a deep impression on him. He took diksha from Sri Yadu Gopal Goswami and later received siddha pranali from his guru’s son, Prabhupad Sri Madan Gopal Goswami.
In the book’s introduction, his disciples speak of Gurudev’s gratitude to his guru-varga. Their grace and guidance hold a dear place in his life of bhajan.
- DIKSHA GURUPrabhupad Sri Yadu Gopal Goswami
- SIDDHA PRANALI RECEIVED FROMPrabhupad Sri Madan Gopal Goswami
- DISCIPLESri Sri Pran Krsna Das Babaji
These few lines introduce the guru relationships Gurudev speaks of in his own account. Spend time with his account .
04 / RADHA KUND & BHAJAN
Bhajan at Radha Kund.
Radha Kund is close to the heart of Gurudev’s life and teachings. In their 2020 introduction to Drops of Nectar, his disciples describe his home there and share the affectionate name “Bela Baba,” used by local residents.
Speaking about daily bhajan, Gurudev draws our attention to the quiet early morning hours: the freshness of the mind, the practice of japa, and the guidance he received from Sri Guru.
He also recalls coming to Vraja for bhajan and finding loving shelter among sadhus and Vaisnavas. Radha Kund, bhajan and sadhu-sanga are closely woven together in his account.
05 / TEACHINGS & SERVICE
Learning from Gurudev.
Gurudev’s disciples speak of his simplicity, humility and steady absorption in hari-nama. Their accounts help us come closer to the teacher they love and the guidance he shares.
In his kathas, Gurudev returns to hearing and chanting, caring for the mind, the grace of Sri Guru, and seva to Sri Sri Radha Krishna. His disciples prepared the English translations so that those who do not know Bengali could also spend time with his teachings.
We share a selection of these written kathas freely, with links to the source volume. May they be a welcome companion in your reading and bhajan.
Our source, shared with care
These pages draw on Sri Gurudev Kathamrita: Drops of Nectar from Srila Gurudev, Volume 1, first edition, November 2020. By Sri Sri 108 Pran Krsna Das Babaji Maharaj; compiled by his loving disciples and followers; published by Sri Sri Hari Bhakti Pracharini Sabha and Nitai Dham Mandir.
We have gathered this short biography from the book with care. Direct quotations follow its English translation, and we identify Gurudev’s own account and the words of his disciples. Where the book gives no exact date, we leave it open. If you notice anything that needs correcting, please let us know.