At the time of its humble beginning, the Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math was no more than a thatched hut on the banks of the Ganges river, yet our Founder Acharya, His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Sri Srila Bhakti Rakshak Sridhar Maharaj, composed the following verse in 1941, mysteriously predicting the future greatness of the Math:

 

srimac-caitanya-sarasvata-mathavara-udgita-kirtir jaya-srim
   bibhrat sambhati ganga-tata-nikata-navadvipa-koladri-raje
yatra sri-gaura-sarasvata-mata-nirata-gaura-gatha grnanti
   nityam rupanuga sri-krtamati-guru-gauranga-radha-jitasa

 

In the Holy Abode of transcendental touchstone,
Sri Nabadwip Dham, the selfsame Sri Vrindavan,
In the land of Koladwip, whose inner identity
Is the King of mountains Sri Govardhan,
Near the charming shores of the holy River Bhagirathi
Who delivers all the fallen souls,
Stands that grand and glorious King of all Temples --
Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math.

In that beautiful retreat, the surrendered devotees
Whose lives are the message of Sri Gaura
Are eternally absorbed in the loving service
Of the Divine Master, the Golden Lord Gauranga,
And the Loving Lord Sri Govindasundar,
With His consort Srimati Gandharva,
Accompanied by all their beloved associates.

With hearts always filled with good hope to attain the grace of the Lord,
Following faithfully in the line of Sri Sri Rupa and Raghunath --
The storekeepers of the unlimited treasure of pure, sweet Love Divine --
Those surrendered souls ever sing the unending glories
Of the transcendental name and qualities of the most magnanimous,
Original Supreme Lord, Sri Sri Gaurangasundar.

Indeed the hearts of all beings, moving and still,
Marvel in the glory of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math
As they take shelter in the soothing, affectionate shade
of the victory flag that flies aloft and sings wholeheartedly to the world
The ever-expanding renown of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math;
bearing that banner of all transcendental benedictions,
Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math ever shines resplendent
In all its divine magnificence.

 

[From the Bengali translation by Srila Govinda Maharaj
-- rendered into English by Sripad B.A. Sagar Maharaj.]

 

 

That prophecy has been fulfilled, for today the Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math is venerated throughout the world as a sacred place of worship, and has become a holy place of pilgrimage for all sincere Vaishnava devotees seeking entrance into the Land of Dedication and Surrender.

 

Since his departure from this world in 1988, Srila Sridhar Maharaj and the Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math have been represented by Srila Sridhar Maharaj's chosen successor and dear disciple, our President Acharya, His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Sri Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Maharaj.