Background
He was born already a devotee in the village of Jagannathpur, District Jagatsinghpur Orissa, India as Braja-bandhu Manik.
He was born already a devotee in the village of Jagannathpur, District Jagatsinghpur Orissa, India as Braja-bandhu Manik.
He was the first initiating guru after Srila Prabhupada to leave his body (pass on or die) in good standing spiritually. He never left Krishna Consciousness. By the age of eight, Braja-bandhu had read the entire Bhagavad-gita, Bhagavata Purana and Sri Caitanya-caritamrta and could also explain their meanings.
On 8 April 1974, at the age of 45 he gave up home and relatives in quest of spiritual perfection and a worthy guide.
Carrying only a Bhagavad-gita and a begging bowl he wandered around India for one year and visited many sacred places along the river Ganges. He was searching for that person who could help him develop a true understanding of the Maha Mantra.
After many philosophical debates with mayavadi sannyasis and yogis in the Himalayas, he proceeded on foot to Vrindavana. He thought, "Surely I will find Lord Krishna here in this holiest of places.".
He was given a Back to Godhead magazine and found it contained all three things.
He an author of many research papers and translated his guru"s books into the Oriya language.