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Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura [1874-1936] was a lifelong celibate and a influential teacher of bhakti all over India. In his childhood he quickly mastered the Vedas, memorized the Bhagavad-gita, and relished his father's (Bhaktivinoda Thakura) philosophical works. He became known as "The Living Encyclopedia" for his vast knowledge.  By all historical accounts, he was extremely intelligent and excelled in math, astronomy, Sanskrit, and other languages. The University of Calcutta offered him a chair, but he declined so that he could dedicate his life to continuing the spiritual work of his father, Bhaktivinoda Thakura.  He preached convincingly against caste system and philosophical deviations from Gaudiya Vaisnavism. Srila Sarasvati Thakura earned the title "silitha-guru", or "lion-like master", for his fearless and powerful delivery of the Vaisnava conclusive teachings: The adherents of impersonal school of thought would often cross the street to avoid confronting him. Besides being a tireless preacher, he was ornamented with all divine qualities and a dear devotee of Lord Krishna. He established 64 Gaudiya temples in India and abroad and wrote and  published more than 108 books and essays establishing the theistic science of bhakti.