Sacred Lineage
Meet the devoted disciples and saints who have carried the torch of Krishna Bhakti through the ages.
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Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati
A strong scholar and preacher who spread Krishna bhakti in a clear way. He built temples and study centers, used books and newspapers, and trained many students who kept the work going.
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Bhaktivinoda Thakura
A 19th-century devotee and civil servant who renewed the teachings of Sri Chaitanya, wrote and published devotional books, and helped prepare the path for a worldwide bhakti movement.
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Madhvacharya
Madhvacharya was a 13th-century philosopher-saint who taught that God (Krishna) and individual souls are always different. He started a living tradition of worship and learning centered on Krishna at Udupi and wrote many clear commentaries on sacred texts.
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Mira Bai
Mirabai was a royal woman who became a poet-saint. She loved Krishna with her whole heart. She sang songs that people still sing today. Her life shows that love for God is more important than rules or rank.
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Nimbarkacharya
A medieval teacher who taught that Krishna is both one with and different from the world. He helped make the loving worship of Radha and Krishna central to many devotees.
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Ramanuja Acharya
Ramanuja Acharya was a loving teacher and saint who taught that God is one and full of qualities. He joined deep knowledge with warm devotion and asked people to offer themselves to Krishna with love.
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Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is a saint from 15th-century Bengal who taught love of God through singing the holy names of Krishna. He showed deep joy and humble service to inspire many to chant together.
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Sri Jiva Goswami
One of the Six Goswamis of Vrindavan. He wrote deep books that explain why Krishna is the highest truth and how love for Krishna grows from true knowledge.
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Sri Rupa Goswami
A devoted teacher who helped shape the path of devotional love for Krishna. He left a life of rank to live in Vrindavan and write clear books about bhakti.
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Sri Sanatana Goswami
Sanatana Goswami was a gentle scholar and leader. He helped find and restore the holy places of Vrindavan. He wrote to explain deep devotional ideas so people could serve Krishna with care and feeling.
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Srila Prabhupada
A loving teacher who brought Krishna's message to the world in simple English. He taught people to chant, read scripture, and live a life of devotion.
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Surdas
A humble poet-saint who loved child Krishna and sang His pastimes with deep feeling. Tradition remembers him for songs that bring listeners close to Krishna.