Moscow, 1999

Shrila Bhakti Ballabha Tirtha Swami (24 April 1924 - 21 April 2017) was a disciple of Shrila Bhakti Dayita Madhava Swami and an acharya and initiating spiritual master (Shri Guru) in the Gaudiya Math following the philosophy of the Bhakti marg, specifically of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Gaudiya Vaishnava theology. He was the President Acharya of Shri Chaitanya Gaudiya Math, headquartered at Kolkata, West Bengal, India and having more than 22 branches in India. He was president of WVA (World Vaishnava Association) and founder of GOKUL (Global organization for Krishna Chaitanya's Universal Love). He wrote extensively in Bengali, Hindi, and English. His most read and referenced book is "Chaitanya: His Life and Associates", which details the lives of an entire lineage of Gaudiya Vaishnava spiritual leaders, from the 10th century to the present day. Shrila Bhakti Ballabha Tirtha Swami departed for His eternal abode, Goloka Vrindavana, on April 21, 2017, at the Shri Chaitanya Gaudiya Math temple, Kolkata. His samadhi was installed on April 22 in the holy city of Mayapur at Shri Chaitanya Gaudiya Math, Mayapur.