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His Holiness Maha Vishnu Goswami Maharaj
His Holiness Maha Vishnu Goswami Maharaj is of Gujrat origin and was born in the out skirts of Bombay in 1919 into an eight generation Vaishnava family. He is highly educated having obtained a masters degree in both Sanskrit and English and is equally conversant in Marathi, Gujrati, Hindi, Urdu and the Gujrathi dialect Kachhi. In his childhood Maharaj was always curious to seek transcendental knowledge about the Supreme Lord Sri Krsna. His mother would force him to offer his dhoti to the Lord before using it. But she could not explain him as to why he should be offering it. He would never get satisfying answers to his questions. So at the tender age he began studying the holy scriptures of Srimad Bhagavat-gita and Srimad Bhagavatm in earnest. His burning desire to realize God was finally answered, when he met Srila Prabhupada, the founder acharya of the International Society of Krsna Consciousness (ISKCON). At that meeting Prabhupada noted that upon meeting friends, we ask them how their business is, how their family is, but this he said is a waste of time. If we really cared about our friends, then we meet them, we should inquire as to how far they have progressed in the matter of stopping the cycle of repeated birth and death. Prabhupada’s pure preaching touched Maharaj’s heart, and awakened his enthusiasm for self-realization. He began intensifying his spiritual endeavors and began practicing Krsna Consciousness. Some time later he was introduced to Prabhupada, by devotees, as a Sanskrit scholar. Upon hearing this, Prabhupada exclaimed, “Oh, a Sanskrit scholar, then you should take sanyas”. Prabhupada these words always remained in Maharaj’s heart. In 1991 Maharaj, after successfully performing his worldly obligations to his family, renounced the world and took the order of sanyas. Today, 10 years on, he continues to serve Srila Prabhupada, by carrying out his legacy in preaching devotional service of Supreme Lord Krsna, as enunciated in Srimad Bhagavatam and Srimad Bhagavat-gita. Maharaj has tirelessly circled the globe 10 times in the 10 years, inspiring people from all walks of life, wherever he goes. He is renowned for his powerful preaching, uncompromising in delivery of the teachings of Gita and the message of Srila Prabhupada. In Bhagavat saptah around the world, notably in Kurushetra and Vrindavana, he has lectured for upto 6 hours daily, on Bhagavatam, for 7 continuous days, before fully captivated audiences. Despite his advanced age and frail health, Maharaj continues to tirelessly travel around the world, preaching the message to follow teachings of Lord Krsna, through Srila Prabhupada books and to increase the quality of our devotional service so as to become, genuine servants of the servants of the Lord. For many Maharaj is a humble and loving Vaishnava, who has made them follow the teachings of the Supreme Lord and realize the true value of human life. Still others cannot help but be completely and helplessly touched by Maharaj’s love and compassion. In today’s age His Holiness’s love and humility coupled with his profound wisdom and realization, have brought many fallen souls to the lotus feet of Prabhupada and the Supreme Lord. In 2001 from 29th September to 6th October, under the auspicious of ISKCON Sidney, His Holiness Maha Vishnu Goswami decided to deliver Srimad Bhagavat Saptah, in Sidney, Australia, giving powerful and heartfelt discourses, over 8 continuous days, to a fully captivated audience in Statville Town Hall.