Appearance of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura

His Divine Grace Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur Goswami Prabhupada (reverently known as the Lion Guru) appeared in Sri Ksetra Dhama (Jagannatha Puri) on 6 February 1874 as the son of Srila Sacidananda Bhaktivinoda Thakura. In his childhood, he quickly mastered the Vedas, memorized the Bhagavad-gita, and relished his father's philosophical works. He became known as "The Living Encyclopedia" for his vast, peerless knowledge. He was born as Bimala Prasad, which means the mercy of the internal potency (Bimala Devi) of Lord Jagannatha.

A Dynamic Preacher and Erudite Scholar

Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur was a very dynamic, uncompromising preacher who adjusted his outreach according to the audience. When he had to mix with kings, landlords, and British dignitaries, he wore a long coat and rode in carriages, and when he had to mix with the Babajis in Radha-kunda, he went barefoot and wore the simple clothing of a sannyasi.

His English was pristine and highly structured, displaying his immense scholarship. He established 64 branches of the Gaudiya Math throughout India, introducing modern printing presses (which he referred to as the brhad-mrdanga, or "greater drum") to mass-distribute transcendental literatures.

"What kind of Bhakta is this who simply wants to chant and does not want to deliver the fallen souls?"

Instructions to Srila Prabhupada and Global Prophecies

At their very first meeting in 1922, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura instructed A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (who was then a young householder) to preach the message of Lord Chaitanya in the Western world in the English language. He declared that it would bring immense spiritual benefit to him and to all who assisted him.

A few years before his departure, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur made a prophetic announcement:

"One of my disciples will go to the Western world and preach. People from the Western world will come and participate in the Navadvipa Parikrama. There will be chanting together of 'Jaya Sachinandana, Jaya Sachinandana', and they will embrace their Indian brothers, with no prejudice regarding caste, color, or creed."

This prediction was fulfilled in letter and spirit by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada through the establishment of ISKCON, bringing thousands of Western devotees to Navadvipa Dhama.