Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta Narayana Maharaja took birth on February 19th, 1921, on the amavasya (new moon) day. He appeared in a highly educated and respected brahmana family in the famous village of Tivaripura in the Boksar district of Bihar. Tivaripura was situated on the banks of Patipavani Bhagavat Ganga, but she has since shifted her course and is now some distance away. Tivaripura is a village where only brahmanas live; everyone is educated and prosperous. The area is renowned for being the place where Lord Ramacandra and Visvamitra Muni came and killed the Taraka demon.

His parents and relatives gave him the name Sriman Narayana. In the future this name would become well-known. However, everyone called him Bholanatha because as a child he was very peaceful.

A special taste for dharma was evident even during his childhood; he was always naturally chanting the name of Bhagavan, without any order or instruction. Throughout his childhood he had many opportunities to regularly accompany his father when he would go
to attend kirtana and pravachana assemblies.

Srimad-Bhagavatam, Gita, Ramayana, Mahabharata and other scriptures were read at home and the boy eagerly heard them with great faith. In fact, he completely memorized Ramayana, Mahabharata and other stories. Indeed, it is said: "Coming events cast their shadows before them."