On Wednesday, 13 May 2026, the day on which Aparā Ekādaśī was observed, at 1:41 p.m., during Kṛṣṇa Dvādaśī tithi (the twelfth day of the waning moon) in the month of Jyeṣṭha, coinciding with the auspicious appearance tithi of Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura, Śrīpāda Bhaktivedānta Sajjana Mahārāja, a sincere and dedicated disciple of Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktivedānta Svāmī Mahārāja and Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Gosvāmī Mahārāja, departed from this world in Śrī Vṛndāvana-dhāma amidst the chanting of the holy names by devotees and Vaiṣṇavas, to continue his service to Śrī Śrī Guru and Gaurāṅga.
Early life and meeting Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Svāmī Mahārāja
Śrīpāda Bhaktivedānta Sajjana Mahārāja was born on 5 September, 1955, on Kṛṣṇa Caturthī tithi (the fourth day of the waning moon) of the month of Puruṣottama, in San Diego, California, USA. As a young man living in Hawaii, he first came in contact with Kṛṣṇa consciousness and had the great fortune of meeting Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Svāmī Mahārāja. He later joined the ISKCON temple in San Diego in 1974, and in 1975 he received harināma and dīkṣā from Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Svāmī Mahārāja, who gave him the name Kṛṣṇa-bhajana dāsa.
Following his initiation, Kṛṣṇa-bhajana Prabhu dedicated himself wholeheartedly to Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Svāmī Mahārāja’s mission. He served for many years in book distribution and preaching, primarily through the Los Angeles temple. He distributed Śrīla Svāmī Mahārāja’s books throughout the western United States, including New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Texas, and California, and also helped establish and serve several satellite preaching centers affiliated with the Los Angeles temple. He later continued his service at the Denver temple, where he lived as a gṛhastha and his son, Govinda Mādhava, was born.
Taking shelter of Śrīla Gurudeva
In 1997, Kṛṣṇa-bhajana Prabhu first met his instructing spiritual master, Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Gosvāmī Mahārāja (Śrīla Gurudeva). That meeting marked a profound turning point in his spiritual life. Fully surrendering himself at the lotus feet of Śrīla Gurudeva, he dedicated the remainder of his life to assisting his mission.
In 2003, Śrīla Gurudeva awarded him sannyāsa and gave him the name Swāmī Bhaktivedānta Sajjana. Thereafter, he traveled with Śrīla Gurudeva on many of his preaching tours, offering his energy and expertise to expand the mission globally.
Worldwide preaching and practical service
Śrīpāda Sajjana Mahārāja traveled widely on behalf of Śrīla Gurudeva, preaching throughout Mexico, Central America, South America, Mauritius, South Africa, and many other countries. Having learned Spanish, he was able to preach directly to Spanish-speaking audiences and helped nourish devotional communities throughout Latin America. Following the instruction of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, ĵāre dekho tāre kaho ‘kṛṣṇa’-upadeśa, he naturally encouraged everyone he met to chant the holy name and eagerly distributed transcendental literature wherever he went.
Beyond his preaching efforts, his professional background allowed him to serve in another vital capacity. Before meeting Śrīla Gurudeva, he worked as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). This training later enabled him to render valuable medical service to both Śrīla Gurudeva and the Vaiṣṇavas. During many of Śrīla Gurudeva’s preaching tours, he assisted with his medical care whenever needed.
He also rendered generous financial service to Śrīla Gurudeva’s mission, making a significant contribution toward the construction of Śrīla Gurudeva’s temple in Govardhana, Śrī Giridhārī Gauḍīya Maṭha. In later years, he quietly assisted many devotional projects and individual devotees whenever he became aware of a need.
Residence in the dhāma and absorption in bhajana
After many years of extensive worldwide preaching, Śrīpāda Sajjana Mahārāja spent the final five years of his life residing in the holy dhāmas of Śrī Navadvīpa and Vraja. There he became increasingly absorbed in his personal bhajana, worshipping his beloved Śrī Śrī Gaura-Gadādhara, delighting in hearing hari-kathā, studying sacred texts such as Ujjvala-nīlamaṇi and Rādhā-rasa-sudhā-nidhi, and regularly performing parikramā of the sacred places of the dhāma.
Affection and care for the Vaiṣṇavas
Perhaps the most distinctive feature of Śrīpāda Sajjana Mahārāja’s life was his heartfelt concern for the Vaiṣṇavas. He was always eager to help others, whether through practical service, encouragement, medical assistance, or financial support. Helping others was not merely something he did; it was his nature.
In the final years of his life, Sajjana Mahārāja rendered a particularly remarkable service by lovingly caring for several of his godbrothers during the final stages of their lives. Drawing upon his medical expertise, he served devotees such as Śrī Sahadeva Prabhu, Śrīpāda Avadhūta Mahārāja, Śrī Haṁsagati Prabhu, and others with genuine affection and spiritual concern, bringing great comfort to both the devotees and those caring for them.
Throughout more than fifty years of devotional life, he consistently maintained warm and affectionate relationships with devotees around the world. Whether meeting someone for the first time or reconnecting with an old friend, he was known for making everyone feel welcomed, appreciated, and cared for. Even during his own final illness, he remained more concerned for the comfort of those who came to visit him than for himself, always looking for ways to serve others before thinking of his own needs.
His Vaiṣṇava qualities
Devotees throughout the world remember Śrīpāda Sajjana Mahārāja as exceptionally friendly, approachable, humble, compassionate, and free from duplicity. He was especially known for his non-envious nature and his reluctance to criticize others. Rather, he consistently sought the good in everyone and looked for opportunities to encourage and assist devotees in their spiritual lives. His affectionate dealings with everyone reflected the quality of an ajāta-śatru, one who bore ill will toward no one.
He maintained warm relationships with devotees from many different missions and communities, earning universal respect and affection through his genuine appreciation for all Vaiṣṇavas.
Final days and departure
The news of Śrīpāda Sajjana Mahārāja’s departure was received with deep sorrow by devotees around the world. In accordance with Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava tradition, his final rites were performed at Keśī-ghāṭa on the bank of the Yamunā in Śrī Vṛndāvana-dhāma amidst the loud chanting of the holy name by about one hundred devotees. In the days that followed, the many heartfelt remembrances shared by the devotees revealed the profound affection and appreciation they held for him. Separation festivals in his honor were observed at Śrī Rādhe Kuñja, Gopinātha Bhavan, and New Braj, Badger, California.
He will be remembered for his unwavering dedication to Śrī Guru, his selfless service to the Vaiṣṇavas, his generous heart, and his genuine concern for the spiritual and practical well-being of others. His life stands as a beautiful example of humble service, and his memory will continue to inspire those who had the good fortune to receive his association.
Śrīpāda Bhaktivedānta Sajjana Mahārāja ki jaya!
Śrīla Gurudeva Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Gosvāmī Mahārāja ki jaya!
Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Swāmī Mahārāja ki jaya!
Guru paramparā ki jaya!
[Courtesy of Śrīpāda Bhaktivedānta Padmanabha Mahārāja and Śrīpāda
Bopadeva Prabhu]
