SRI JAGADISA PANDITA

"Sri Jagadisa Pandita is the savior of the world. He distributes the nectar of
love of Krsna just like a dense mass of dark clouds in the sky distributes
rainfall." [C.c. Adi 11.30]

Sri Jagadisa Bhatta took his birth in the region of Gaihati. His father's name
was Sri Kamalaksa Bhatta, who was the son of Bhatta Narayana, who hailed from
Goyghar Bandyaghata. Both the mother and father of Jagadisa were very devoted
Visnu-bhaktas. After his parents passed away he came with his wife to live on
the banks of the Ganges. His wife's name was Dukhini-devi. (His younger
brother Mahesa also came with him to reside on the banks of the Ganga.) They
built their house near the home of Jagannatha Misra.

Sri Gaurasundara instructed Jagadisa to preach Hari Nam at Nilacala. Thus he
took shelter of the lotus feet of Lord Jagannatha. At that time he prayed at
the feet of Lord Jagannatha and was rewarded by obtaining a Deity of the
lotus-eyed Lord. This he brought to Yasora (Yasada), on the banks of the Ganga
near Cakdaha. This Deity was brought suspended from a staff which is still
being worshiped in the temple of Lord Jagannatha at Jasora. This temple is
presently under the charge of Sri Gaudiya Math, and is a rickshaw ride away
from Cakdaha railway station, on the Sealdah-Krsnanagar line.

Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityananda sometimes used to go to Jasora to have
festivals of sankirtana. Jagadisa Pandita's son was Sri Rambhadra Gosvami. In
the temple are Deities of Sri Jagannatha Deva, Sri Radha-Vallabhaji and Sri
Gaura-Gopala. It is said that the Gaura Gopala Deity was established by Sri
Duhkhini Devi. The Deity is a golden color.

After Lord Caitanya conducted a sankirtan festival at the home of Jagadisa
Pandita, He planned to go to Nilacala. Duhkhini, however, knowing the Lord's
mind, was very distressed by feelings of impending separation. At that time
Mahaprabhu gave her this Deity and said, "I will eternally remain in your
house in the form of this Deity." From that day this Deity of Gaura-Gopala is
being worshiped there. In Gaura-ganoddesa-dipika it is revealed that Jagadisa
and Hiranya were wives of the Vedic brahmanas in Krsna-lila. According to
another opinion, "He who was previously known as Candrahasa, a famous dancer
in Krsna-lila, is now famous as Jagadisa Pandita, who also takes great
pleasure in ecstatic dancing."

On one Ekadasi day, the young Sri Gaurahari wanted to eat rice from the house
of Jagadisa and Hiranya. The Lord said to His parents, "If you don't want Me
to die, then immediately go to the house of two brahmanas by the names of
Jagadisa and Hiranya, with whom I am very pleased. They are both fasting for
Ekadasi, but they have prepared some offerings for Lord Visnu. If you can
obtain some of that Visnu-prasada then I'll recover my health and be able to
move about." [C.B. Adi 6.20-23] One day, child Gaurahari was crying
incessantly. His parents told him, "First tell us what you want. We'll bring
it, but please don't cry."

He replied, "On this Ekadasi day in Jagadisa and Hiranya's house are many
preparations of Visnu-prasada. If I can eat that then I'll be alright."

Hearing this impossible request of her son, Saci Mata put her hand on her head
and began to lament. Upon hearing the words of the child, the neighbors
laughed in amazement. "How is it that such a young child as this is aware that
today is Ekadasi?"

Then the ladies told Him, "Bap Nimai, don't cry anymore, we'll bring what you
have requested." When the two brahmanas heard of the child's request they were
very pleased. Both of them were very intimate friends of Jagannath Misra and
they were well aware that the Supreme Personality of Godhead Sri Hari had
appeared in his house. Therefore, whatever they had prepared for Lord Hari
they brought before Sri Gaurahari and told Him, "Bap, Visvambhara! We have
brought everything which You requested. Now please eat it in great happiness
and don't cry anymore."

Bhagavana Sri Gaurasundara, along with His friends, then enjoyed that feast.
While doing so, He showed His transcendental Bala-Gopala form to Jagadisa and
Hiranya. His bodily lustre, appearing like a fresh rain cloud, with a peacock
feather adorning His head, the splendor of His beauty was reflected in the
faces of the other boys in whose company He was enjoying this feast. Such a
charming and beautiful sight was revealed before the eyes of Jagadisa and
Hiranya. Seeing this scene, the two brahmanas loudly chanted, "Hari! Hari!"
[Gauranga Campu Q.(?)20]

Jagadisa Pandita probably came to Yasora after Mahaprabhu took sannyasa. He
went every year to Puri and was also present at Cira-doy Danda Mahotsava at
Panihati. His disappearance is on the third day of the bright fortnight in the
month of Pausa.

