His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj was born in Hapaniya, West Bengal, India in 1895. In 1927 he was initiated as a disciple of Srila Prabhupad Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur, the Founder-Acharya of the Gaudiya Math and foremost Vaisnava scholar of the twentieth century. Srila Sridhar Maharaj’s scriptural genius, penetrating realisations, and strict practice of the devotional principles of Gaudiya–Vaisnavism were soon recognised by Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati, who in 1930 awarded him the renounced order of sannyas. He was named Bhakti Raksak Sridhar, or «guardian of devotion» after the original Bhagavatam commentator Sridhar Swamipad.
Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati saw him as especially fit to protect the Gaudiya–Vaisnava line from misrepresentation. After reading one of his Sanskrit compositions glorifying Bhakti Vinod Thakur, Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati remarked, «Now I am satisfied that, after I leave, there will be at least one man who can represent my conclusions (bhakti-siddhanta).»
After the passing of Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati, Srila Sridhar Maharaj established his own temple, Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, on the banks of the sacred Ganges in Nabadwip Dham, the holy land of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Having deeply assimilated the teachings of Sri Chaitanya, he began composing original texts. His first work, Sri Sri Prapanna-jivanamrtam, was a comprehensive scriptural study of surrender. His Divine Grace composed numerous songs, prayers, and commentaries. Among these important works are his commentary on Bhakti Vinod Thakur’s Saranagati, Bengali translations of Bhagavad-gita and Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu, and his own original Sanskrit poem summarising Chaitanya-lila, Prema-dhama-deva-stotram. An outstanding contribution to the Rupanuga–Gaudiya sampradaya is his commentary on the gayatri-mantra in the line of Srimad Bhagavatam.
Original works in English translation include: The Hidden Treasure of the Sweet Absolute (Bhagavad-gita) and Life-Nectar of the Surrendered Souls: Positive and Progressive Immortality (Sri Sri Prapanna-jivanamrtam).
At an advanced age in his fully matured stage of realisation, Srila Sridhar Maharaj spoke extensively on the teachings of Srila Saraswati Thakur, Bhakti Vinod Thakur, and the great predecessor Acharyas. Some of his English language publications are: The Search for Sri Krishna: Reality the Beautiful, Sri Guru and His Grace, The Golden Volcano of Divine Love, Loving Search for the Lost Servant, Subjective Evolution of Consciousness: The Play of the Sweet Absolute, Sri Sri Prapanna-jivanamrtam: Life Nectar of the Surrendered Souls, Heart and Halo, Holy Engagement, The Golden Staircase, Home Comfort, Inner Fulfilment and Sermons of The Guardian of Devotion I — IV.
After his passing in 1988, he was succeeded by his dearmost beloved disciple and appointed successor, Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj.