Shrila Jagannatha Dasa Babaji Maharaja was born in the West Bengali area of Mayamansingh. Uddhava das was a follower of Gaudiya Vedanta-acharya Sri Baladeva Vidyabhushana.

For a long time, Shrila Jagannatha Dasa Babaji recited his bhajan while he was a resident of Vrindavan. He gained a reputation among the followers as a Lord Krishna–bhakta who could do no wrong.

Kirtan and Vaishnava seva were two things that Srila Babaji Maharaja always took very seriously. He continued to preach the teachings of Sri Chaitanya even after attaining the age of approximately 135 years. Even in his advanced age, when it came time for kirtana, he would still raise his arms in pleasure despite being nearly paralyzed by infirmity. 

Jacobath Dasa Bhagavat Dasa Babaji Maharaja’s veda or Babaji guru was Babaji Maharaja. In response, Bhagavat dasa presented Gaurakisora dasa Babaji, a baba ji’s outfit. 

Being such a prominent devotee, Srila Jagannath dasa Babaji Maharaj was referred to as the devotee’s commanding chief by Bhaktivinoda Thakura (Kedarnath Datta).

What is the Story of Shrila Jagannatha Dasa Babaji?

Shrila Jagannatha Dasa Babaji Maharaja was 144 years. He received diksha from Shri Madhusudana Dasa Babai and performed bhajans at Surya Kunda in Vrindavana. Shrila Jagannatha Dasa Babaji provided invaluable guidance on performing pure devotional service to Bhaktivinoda Thakura as he followed the tradition of spending six months at Shri Navadwipa Dham and six months in Vraja Mandala.

Shri Shrila Jagannatha Dasa Babaji was the most knowledgeable rasika Vaishnava in the Gaura and Vraja mandalas and Purshottam Kshetra Jagannatha Puri during his lifetime, according to Thakura Bhaktivinoda. He received the Sarvabhauma title from Bhaktivinoda Thakura, the head of the Vaishnavas.

His body had a semi-circular appearance, and he was 125 years old. Like heavy stage curtains, his eyelids draped over his eyes. Two followers would raise his drooping eyes as they stood on either side of him so he could offer Tulasi manjaris to his Deity of Shri Giriraja Govardhana.

Srila Shrila Jagannatha Dasa Babaji Was Fond of?

Bihari, his Vrajavasi servant, would carry Shrila Jagannatha Dasa Babaji on his shoulders. However, he would leap out of his basket four feet into the air and start dancing and singing. Despite his physical constraints, he engaged in intense bhajana. 

He enjoyed chanting loudly in both kirtana and japa. He would chant Nitai ki nama enechi re during kirtana. Inechi rei nama I am Ki Namaditeche Re! “What a wonderful name You have given, Lord Nityananda. What a beautiful name You have given, Oh Nitai.” The following morning, after chanting almost the night, he would present 1,108 dandavats to the Deities. He always had a passion for helping Vaishnavas.

What Babaji Maharaja Replied?

Babaji Maharaja asked a Vrindavana street sweeper for a roti (flat bread). The prominent men of Vrindavana informed Shrila Jagannatha Dasa Babaji that “You, Baba, are Vraja’s crown jewel. We find it painful to hear anyone be critical of you. However, now you’re being attacked by everyone. They claim that Baba has become insane. What will happen to society if he rejects the venerable customs? Asked by Babaji Maharaja, “You’re all intelligent individuals. Do you understand the significance of the Vrindavana dust? Even Lord Brahma wants to merge with a particle of Vraja raja because it is so overcharged with Lord Krishna prema (dust of Vrindavana). Therefore, isn’t a sweeper in Vrindavana purer than anyone else because they serve the dust constantly, breathing it in, rolling in it, and bathing in it?” The room fell silent as everyone acknowledged Baba Maharaja’s response. 

Shrila Shrila Jagannatha Dasa Babaji Showed Deep Respect Towards

When he resided at Navadwipa Dhama, Shrila Jagannatha Dasa Babaji treated every resident with the utmost respect. He didn’t object when some puppies began to eat from his plate, but his servant Bihari was appalled. These puppies live in the holy dhama. I won’t eat anything until they return to split my Mahaprasadam.”

Why Bhaktivinoda Requested Dasa to See Lord Chaitanya’s Appearance place?

He was unable to see or walk when he was 142 years old. Thakura Bhaktivinoda asked Jagannatha Dasa to visit Lord Chaitanya’s apparition location to verify his findings. At the revelation of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu‘s Yogapitha, Shrila Jagannatha Dasa Babaji, intoxicated with Gauranga prema, leapt high into the air and started chanting and dancing. According to Shripad B.V. Narayana Maharaja, Shrila Jagannatha Dasa Babaji “transferred his power of bhajana, knowledge of the shastras, and prema bhakti straight into the heart of Bhaktivinoda Thakura out of love for all the conditioned souls.”

Shrila Jagannatha Dasa Babaji Maharaja was asked to accompany Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur as he searched for the precise location of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s birthplace. Some areas of the revered ‘dhama of Navadwipa (nine islands) had shifted during the several variations in the route of the flow of the powerful Ganges River. The Ganges had regained new areas as well as ancient and lost ones. Bhaktivinoda Thakur was surprised to learn that the contemporary city of Navadwipa was not the Navadwipa of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu because it was only a century or so old. Some claimed the birthplace was in the city of Navadwipa, while others claimed it was on land that is now part of the Ganges. 

Bhaktivinoda continued his search after being unsatisfied. He discovered several old maps, official documents, and historically accurate texts published during the reign of Lord Caitanya, and all agreed that Mayapur Navadwipa Dhama is located on the east bank of the Ganges. 

He once observed a light emanating from a location across the Ganges from the terrace of his home. The following day, he crossed into Antardwipa after wondering what it was. 

When he arrived at the precise location, he discovered four mounds on Mohammedan-owned property covered in sacred Tulasi plants. The owner refused to visit because he thought it was haunted. He inspired Bhaktivinoda to go to the location because he was convinced it was true.

Conclusion

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