Sri Sri Pran Krsna Das Babaji Maharaj belongs to the spiritual lineage and dynasty of Lord Nityananda descending through Sri Guru-mata Jahnava Thakurani. Babaji received special mercy from his initiating Guru Prabhupad Sri Yadugopal Goswami and Siddha Pranali from his son Prabhupad Madangopal Goswami. Those in Radha-kund who have known him for a long time, consider him a highly exceptional Vaishnav. He loves everyone and longs to serve everyone. For himself, Babaji Maharaj is very grave and steadfast in his daily bhajan. But for his disciples and followers, his ‘weapon’ to correct them is not heavy scolding or hard discipline – it is his loving concern, setting a perfect example and affectionate showers of unreserved compassion on all.
Even a gross materialist, a criminal or the ignorant will receive a myriad of blessings by the saintly association of Sri Pran krsna Das Babaji, even if they see him only once for a fraction of a moment.
Anyone who associates closely with him will notice his deep bonding nishta (Loyalty,Faith) towards his diksha guru’s lineage. He always says that his success in his spiritual life has a lot to do with the powerful diksha lineage he is connected to. He never fails to express his gratitude for the kripa (mercy) he received from his Guru Varga (lineage). For him, he is nothing without the kripa of Nitai Vamsas (family lineage) and to his disciples, Nitai Vamsa is unknown to them without him. Baba used to proudly say to his new initiates who were initiated elsewhere before, “You were connected through one of the branches of the main tree, but now I am giving you direct connection to the main branch of the tree.” A brief introduction of the details of his diksha parampara (lineage), which sprouts from Adi Guru Tattva Sriman Nityananda Prabhu himself, is mentioned below.
The presence of Lord Nityananda is always felt in one’s own guru, as guru is considered the living manifestation of Lord Nityananda´s love and compassion. The guru empowers sincere disciples to perform devotional service and grants them infinite spiritual happiness. Consequently, the guru is regarded as an expansion of Lord Nitai, who represents both the diksha and siksha (instructing guru) gurus. Lord Nitai is the original guru of all the universes and his blessings are required in order to approach or understand Mahaprabhu.
Until the present day Sri Pranakrishna Das Babaji wakes up every day at 3 a.m. and takes his bath in Radhakund, even in the cold and hot season, offering his worship to his Giridhari in his kutir and attending mangal artik at Radha-Gopinath mandir. After 4.30 a.m. he arrives in Radha-Vinod mandir for mangal aroti, where he performs more puja. In the morning he executes his daily parikrama of Sri Govardhana and then comes back to Radhakund at approximately 9 a.m.. Then he offers 108 dandavats to numerous Deities of Radhakund. After that he sits in his kutir for meditation and comes back to his mandir at 11.00 a.m.. Then he helps the pujari to cook and personally he offers and performs noon aroti to Sri Radhavinodji. Afterwards he serves prasada to the sadhus, to the guests, to his disciples and to all the devotees. Finally he respects a little amount of simple food, boiled rice with fenugreek, avoiding sweets and palatable fried dishes like rasa or fried vegetable. Immediately after his lunch he reaches his kutir to recite prayers and meditate further. He also daily attends the kirtan at Raghunath Das Goswami Samadhi. In the evening he comes back at Radha-Vinod mandir for the sandhya (dusk) aroti, and then leaves again for kirtan and parikrama.
Once a Vrajabhasi disciple of Babaji named Gadhadar was extremely sick that none knew when he would breath his last. He had a very high fever for so many days and there was no medicine able to cure him. The doctor tried to console his parents but it was very obvious he was getting worse and there was almost no symptoms of life in his body. The heart and the brain were malfunctioning due to the intense and constant fever. The mother called Sri Gurudev and cried to His lotus feet that her son was so young to leave this world (around 16 years). She was praying at his feet offering her son to the service of Gurudev if he would have save him from such incurable state. Babaji Maharaj came and touched Gadhadara’s head and uttered very simple words in his ears: “Gadhadara don’t you know it is time for aroti? Why are you laying at dusk time? It is time for kirtan! Please join the other devotees at sandhya aroti. Do not fear I have prayed to Radhaji to give you a long life so you can devote yourself completely to Her”. Gadhadara rising from his delirious state caused by the intense fever said to Babaji: “Oh Guruji You brought me back to life, from now I belong to you, please bless me with eternal service to your lotus feet and Swaminijiu, Sri Radha, I will surely follow your order. So He did. Since that time he was so determined in his daily devotional practice, he decided not to marry for the sake of engaging himself totally in the service of the Lord and Sri Gurudev. Babaji praised him specially for his talent and artistic skill in Deity worship. His accurate decoration to his beloved Ista was so gorgeous that ultimately pleased Sri Gurudev.
Babaji cannot speak much English but somehow, due to his rare qualities, many western devotees recently surrendered at his divine feet. In Radhakunda especially those who know him for a long time consider him as a true saint who with his infinite sweetness can perform the miracle of turning our miserable life into a jug of unlimited joy. Not only he does love everyone but he also longs to serve everyone. His weapon to correct his followers is not heavy scolding or hard discipline like a father would do to his naughty son. Babaji instead teaches with his perfect example, granting his affectionate shower of unreserved compassion to all.
Lord Krsna is the absolute reality, this is the verdict of all the scriptures. Knowing Him is the supreme education and the essence of all the Vaisnava literature, yet we remain unable to comprehend Him due to our own faults and limited intelligence. Only through Guruji’s Kripa we can realize the Lord, otherwise any other spiritual effort will remain fruitless.
Babaji is truly a marvelous Vaisnava and his splendid smile reveals the heart of one who has found happiness within himself. His main instruction is :"Incessantly chant the Mahamantra, and never be without seva, doing so Maya (material illusion) will never be able to enter you."
Day by Day the glories of his devotional sentiments grew greater and greater. His faith, humbleness, unparalleled surrender grew stronger and stronger. Having fully subdued his physical and mental urges he became the embodiment of congregational chanting of the Lord’s Holy names. His shelter became a safe bridge to the spiritual sky and his glories could not remain unnoticed anymore. Babaji became the supreme object of love for all his disciples and the recipient of great respect for anyone who knows him.
Whoever he meets, Babaji talks sweetly, very humbly, with his effulgent smile he pleases everyone. Totally free from any arrogance or showing off, beyond the material reality, deeply absorbed in his meditation, he infuses spiritual joy to anyone who sees him in the mandir, during his aroti, in his kutir near Radhagopinath, during his dandavat to many temples, in the bank of Radhakund, in the market place, when he performs his darshan parikrama, when he does kirtan in Nitai-baitak and wherever he goes and wanders for seva invested with immense devotion within his heart overflowing with Radha Bhava.