"The direct disciple of Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami was Srila Narottama dasa Thakura, who accepted Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti as his servitor. Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura accepted Srila Jagannatha dasa Babaji, who initiated Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, who in turn initiated Srila Gaurakisora dasa Babaji, the spiritual master of Om Visnupada Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Maharaja, the divine master of our humble self."

Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi lila 1
Bhaktivedanta Book Trust. HDG A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada.

Srila Jagannatha dasa Babaji Maharaja appeared in this world around 1750 A.D. in a remote village in Tangail, in what is now known as Bangladesh, taking birth in an aristocratic family.

According to the Gaudiya-Vaisnava-jivana, the diksa Guru of Jagannatha das Babaji was Jagadananda Goswami of Sringavat, Vrindavana, whose vesa-guru was Krsna dasa Babaji of Govardhana fame. Jagannatha dasa Babaji took Babaji initiation from Madhusudana dasa Babaji, who was initiated by Uddhava dasa Babaji, who was initiated by Srila Baladeva Vidyabhusana.

Jagannatha dasa Babaji was reknowned as a perfectly realized soul. In his bhajana kutir in Vraja, he would sometimes chant continuously for three days and nights without taking food or sleep.

In 1880, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura visited Jagannatha dasa Babaji in Vrindavan, where he took instruction from him. During the 1880's, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura arranged a government post in Burdwan that allowed him regular association with Jagannatha dasa Babaji. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura later established a prapanna-ashram nearby.

Jagannatha dasa Babaji took up residence in Kulya, Nabadvipa, where he passed his time on the banks of the Ganges, chanting the Holy Name. In 1893, the Babaji went to visit the residence of Srila Thakura Bhaktivinoda at Surabhi Kunja. From there, he traveled with his followers to Mayapura, and visited Yogapitha, Srivasa Angana, and other holy sites. When he arrived at the birthplace of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, which had been discovered by Srila Thakura Bhaktivinoda, he began to dance in ecstasy. Jagannatha dasa Babaji was very old, and followers thought he was unable to walk. His ecstatic dancing was taken as another sign of the authenticity of Mahaprabhu's birth site. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura had Jagannatha dasa Babaji's association at Yogapitha, where he cured one of Srila Bhaktivinoda's sons of skin disease by having in lye in the dust where the Lord had appeared.

According to Gaura-parisada-caritavali, Srila Jagannatha dasa Babaji lived for 135 years, during which time he constantly preached the Holy Name and fame of Lord Caitanya.