Baby Chakravarti, KalimNews, July 7, 2025, Kolkata : In a significant development for scholars and followers of Vaishnavism worldwide, the online version of the revered Shri Sri Gaudiya Vaishnava Dictionary written by the late Haridas Das Babaji has been officially published. This monumental work, which serves as the cornerstone of Gaudiya Vaishnavism, has now been made accessible in digital format, allowing global access to a wide range of readers and researchers.
Haridas Das Babaji, born on September 14, 1898, in the Feni subdivision of Noakhali district (undivided Bengal), was a prominent Vaishnava scholar whose lifelong work has left a lasting impact on the field of Vaishnava studies. His exhaustive dictionary is an essential reference for anyone studying the history, culture, and philosophical traditions of the Gaudiya Vaishnavas. Babaji continued to work on this important text until his final days, dedicating his life to compiling an authoritative guide on the key terms, practices, and figures within the Gaudiya Vaishnavism tradition.
This ambitious project is now available thanks to the efforts of the Bhakti Vedanta Research Center, which has digitized the entire text. Project Editor Dr. Abhishek Basu explained, “After nearly eight to nine years of planning and collaboration, we are finally able to present Haridas Das Babaji’s work to the world in a digital format. The dictionary is an invaluable resource for Vaishnavism researchers, as well as anyone interested in the cultural and historical aspects of Bengal’s religious heritage.”
The online edition of the Shri Sri Gaudiya Vaishnava Dictionary is being published in parts, with the first sections now available for online reading. These include biographical sketches and Granthabali (collection of scriptures), making the work accessible at the click of a button. It also offers a user-friendly search engine that allows readers to instantly locate specific subjects or references across the entire dictionary, streamlining access to vast knowledge in Gaudiya Vaishnava philosophy, history, and literature.
At the inauguration of the digital edition, a discussion was organized at the Haribol Kutir Ashram in Navadwip, the workplace of Haridas Das Babaji, which brought together several distinguished personalities from the world of Vaishnava scholarship. Notable figures in attendance included Dr. Sumanta Rudra, Dean of Bhakti Vedanta Research Center; Dr. Abhishek Basu, Editor of the Vaishnava Dictionary Project; Nityanandavanshiya Prabhupada Nityagopal Goswami; and representatives from the Navadwip Purattva Parishad and the Navadwip Gaudiya Vaishnava Samaj.
The event was jointly organized by Bhakti Vedanta Research Center, Navadwip Haribol Kutir, and the Navadwip Gaudiya Vaishnava Samaj. The speakers at the event praised the profound legacy of the Gaudiya Samaj and emphasized the importance of preserving and promoting the Vaishnava tradition through scholarly research.
Dr. Sumanta Rudra remarked, “Haridas Das Babaji’s collection of books is a priceless treasure of our Vaishnava tradition. It is through his Karma Yajna that new frontiers in Vaishnava research will be unlocked, helping today’s generation explore the depths of this rich spiritual heritage.”
The Shri Sri Gaudiya Vaishnava Dictionary is more than just a dictionary; it is a comprehensive encyclopedia of Vaishnavism, offering insights into the lives and teachings of key figures from Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to the 20th century. This digital edition is expected to greatly benefit readers worldwide, especially those who had previously been unable to access the physical version due to its large format and language limitations.
With this digital edition, the Bhakti Vedanta Research Center has made an invaluable resource available to the global community, ensuring that Haridas Das Babaji’s profound contribution to the Vaishnava tradition continues to inspire future generations.