People in our current society are troubled by day-to-day challenges and miseries. If we look into the lives of ordinary people in society, we can see that no one is truly happy. In order to teach us how to realize and achieve true and eternal happiness and how to keep magnanimous and amicable relationships with everyone in society, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna appeared in this age of deception (Kali-yuga), as Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, although Krishna Himself, came in the form and mood of His eternal consort, Srimati Radha Rani. He is also known as Gauranga (golden limbs) Mahaprabhu because of the molten golden color of His physical form.

Lord Chaitanya showed the world by example, how true eternal welfare and pure bliss lies only in the devotional service of Lord Krishna. One can awaken their dormant consciousness in realizing this truth by engaging in activities that pleases the Lord. Srimati Radha Rani is the epitome of pure devotional service and Lord Chaitanya displayed the same service mood in His pastimes. He showed us how to engage all our senses and activities in the service of the Lord.

The word Gaudiya derives from the name and mood of Gauranga Mahaprabhu Himself.  Since Gauranga Mahaprabhu came in the mood of Srimati Radha Rani, He was always feeling intense separation from Krishna.  Radha Rani, out of deep separation from Krishna used to go searching for Him.  The word Gaudiya is synonymous with the intense separation felt by Radha Rani for Krishna, and Gauranga Mahaprabhu displayed the same ecstatic and intense emotions of separation.  In essence, Gaudiya Math leads its followers to develop that same feeling of separation from Krishna in the same way Radha Rani feels for Krishna. The topmost feeling of love for the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krishna.

The main principle of Gaudiya Math’s teachings is that all living entities are eternal servants of the Supreme Lord.  As a result of this core truth, Gaudiya math’s purpose is to distribute the treasure of devotional service without discrimination to people of all backgrounds, regardless of whether one is a Christian, Muslim, Jain, Jew, or from any other faith, caste, creed or race. The Gaudiya math recognizes all such faiths to come from one source, and so its mission is to broadcast spirituality to all men and women. It is a spiritual institution that opens the door to the true spiritual nature of all living entities. It does not promote dogmatic religiosity nor gives importance to bodily conception.

All living entities are spirit soul and therefore the true nature of one’s being is brought to light through the Gaudiya Math.

Gaudiya Vaishnavism

Gaudiya Vaishnava’s philosophy is connected with the mood of Srimati Radha Rani. Her mood is absolutely one-pointed – and that is to please Lord Krishna with each and every one of Her activities.  Gaudiya Vaishnavism follows the teachings of Lord Sri Krishna Chaitanya, which has now spread all over the world through His spiritual descendants; His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupad Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Goswami Thakur and his associates, Srila Bhakti Pramode Puri Goswami Thakur, founder president of Sri Gopinath Gaudiya Math; Srila Bhakti Rakshak Sridhar Dev Goswami Maharaj, founder president of Sri Chaitanya Saraswati Math; Srila Bhakti Pragyan Keshav Goswami Maharaj, founder president of Sri Devananda Gaudiya Math; Srila Bhakti Hridoy Bon Goswami Maharaj, founder president of Bhajan Ashram; Srila Bhakti Dayita Madhava Goswami Maharaj, founder president of Sri Chaitanya Gaudiya Math, Srila Bhakti Saranga Goswami Maharaj, founder president of Sri Gaur-Nityananda Mandir and Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Goswami Maharaj, founder president of ISKCON, who massively spread Lord Chaitanya’s message all around the world.

Vaishnavism coming down from Lord Chaitanya

Vaishnav Dharma has existed from the time of creation. The very first living entity to exist in this universe is Brahma.  Brahma is a Vaishnava and so is his son Narada Muni. Lord Shiva is also a Vaishnava. A Vaishnava is one who belongs to Lord Vishnu and since all living entities have originated from Lord Vishnu, at birth, everyone is a Vaishnava.  Therefore, it is clear that Vaishnavism has been in existence since the beginning of creation.  We at Sri Gopinath Gaudiya Math and all who belong to the Gaudiya society, belong to the spiritual lineage coming down from Brahma and so we are in the Brahma parampara (lineage).