Among many followers and disciples of Iskcon founder Srila Prabhupada, Srimad Bhaki Swarup Damodar Swami Maharaj, Srimad Gour Govind Swami Maharaj and Srimad Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaj spread Bhagavattatwa and Vaishnabism all over the world in adverse situations.
Today is the 74th holy appearance day of Srimad Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaj, who is an international preacher, philosopher, Guru and great Vaishnab Acharya. Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaj was born in Kolkata on this day in 1945. He had proceeded to German in 1970 to pursue higher education in Chemistry. There, he was influenced by Indian spiritual culture. He returned to India and moved from city to city to find a spiritual master.
After a long search, he was inspired by an Iskcon devotee to read the “Bhakti Rasamruta Sindhu” written by Srila Prabhupada.
After reading this book he was attracted towards Iskcon and Srila Prabhupada and eager to meet Srila Prabhupada. After he met Prabhupada, the latter directed him to join at Mayapur Iskcon center in the year 1976. Prabhupada direct him to translate his English books into Bengali for use of Bangali devotees. Srila Prabhupada gave him in one time Harinam and Brahmana Diksha and appointed him his personal secretary in Indian affairs. Prabhupada was over pleased with his seva and gave Sanyasadiksha after three months. He is very closer to Srila Prabhupada till his death among all Indian and foreign devotees.
Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaj proved his efficiency and better administrative capability when the prominent Iskcon centers like Mayapur, Manipur, France and South Africa centers were in embracing situation. He became a Guru in 1997 and createe lakhs of devotees all over the worlds through preaching of his Bhagavat Seva. When he was chief of Iskcon art and culture department, he translated Bhagavat Gita, Srimad Bhagavtam, Chaitanya Charitamrita and Bhakti Rasamruta Sindhhu which have been deeply accepted by Bengali devotees. He was director and producer of weekly Prashana Picture of Abhaya Charan in the national channel in 1996. He constructed a nice temple in only 10 months at Krishna Balaram Education Center, Ujjain in 2004 by due invitation from the then Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh. He also constructed so many Gurukul, Goshala, ayurvedic hospitals. He was also chief of the Iskcon Annapurna Unit where midday meal is given to lakhs of school students.
Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaj is advisor of England Hindu Sanatan Vaidika Dharma preacher organisation named “I” foundation and he is an identified personality of world trade organisation. He was recently awarded by the United Nations for his nobel deed. He also disseminated spiritual knowledge to many PhD scholars and educationists.
His holy appearance day is observed at Iskcon centers all over the world but centrally at Ujjain. The Iskcon Bhubaneswar observed his holy appearance day with much pomp and religious fervour.
(The writer is State PRO, Iskcon)