Jagannatha dasa Babaji
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Srila Jagannatha dasa Babaji Maharaja (1776 - 1894 CE) was an influential leader (guru) in the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition of Hinduism, and is respected as a Mahatma or saint by followers of his lineage. He accepted initiation (diksha) from Srila Jagadananda Goswami of Vrindavan, and later accepted Babaji initiation from Srila Madhusudana dasa Babaji. For the rest of his life, his example as a Gaudiya Vaishnava devotee was an inspiration to many in the community. Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur is quoted as called him "the commanding chief of the devotees".
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[edit] Background
Jagannatha dasa Babaji was born in a small village within the modern day Tangail district of Bangladesh. His birth year cannot be pinpointed exactly with accounts from several different Gaudiya Vaishnava groups giving years from 1750 to 1800.
Jagannatha dasa Babaji met Bhaktivinode Thakur in 1880, and the latter subsequently accepted the former as his instructing guru (shiksha), adopting a guru disciple relationship. Jagannatha dasa Babaji was also the initiating guru of Bhagavat dasa Babaji and Gaura Kisora dasa Babaji; the latter of whom would become the initiating guru of Bhaktivinode's son, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura. It is told among some Gaudiya Vaishnavas that a young Bhaktisiddhanta, skilled in astronomy, created an ample Vaishnava calendar at Jagannatha dasa Babaji's request, detailing all holidays, including the appearance and disappearance days of prominent devotees.
[edit] Later life
Srila Jagannatha dasa Babaji Maharaj spent his last days in the areas of Vrindavan and Navadwip, where he performed bhajan and japa in worship to Radha and Krishna.. A devotee named Bihari Lal would often assist the elderly sadhu. His devotion to Caitanya Mahaprabhu and instructions on Vaishnava Theology to Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur and Srila Gaura Kisora dasa Babaji Maharaj render him an integral part of the Gaudiya Vaishnava Guru Parampara.
