PARAMANANDA SENA/KAVI KARNAPURA

Sivananda Sena had three sons: Sri Caitanya dasa, Sri Rama dasa and
Paramananda. The guru of Paramananda was Sri Natha Pandita who was the disciple
of Advaita Acarya. In the beginning of Sri Ananda Vrindavana Campu, Kavi
Karnapura has offered prayers to his Sri Gurudeva, who resided at Kanca Para,
one and a half miles from Kumar Hatta. His Deity of Sri Krsna Raya is still
residing there. The 'Kesto Ray' temple can be reached by rickshaw from either
Kanca Para railstarion or from Halisahar.

In his Gaura-ganoddesa-dipika, Kavi Karnapura states, "He who was previously
known as the gopi Bira and who was the messenger (duti) of Radharani, has now
become my father, Sivananda Sena." After spending the four months of the rainy
season (Caturmasya) with Mahaprabhu, the devotees were preparing to return to
Bengal. At that time, Mahaprabhu called Sivananda and told him, "You should
name your next son Puri das."

Having received that benediction, Sivananda very joyfully proceeded on the way
back to his home. A few months later a son was born to him and after consulting
with an astrologer the boy was named Paramananda dasa. (What happened to Puri
dasa?)

The following year Sivananda again brought the devotees, along with his wife
and new born son, to Puri, to see Mahaprabhu. Sivananda induced his son to
offer his dandavats at the lotus feet of Prabhu and thus placed him at His
lotusfeet. The boy was simply looking at the lotus feet of Mahaprabhu, who
laughed gently and placed His foot in front of the baby. Then the child in
great ecstasy, caught hold of Prabhus foot with both hands, and began to suck
on His toe, while the devotees resounded in joy, "Hari! Hari!" This boy later
became known as Sri Kavi Karnapura Gosvami.

One day Sivananda brought his son Puri das with him to see Mahaprabhu. The boy
offered his obeisances at the lotus feet of Prabhu at which Prabhu addressed
him, "Puri das! Let me hear you recite something." The boy replied, "Svavasoh
kuvaloy maksemaranja namuraso mahendra mani dam vrindavan ramaninam mandanama
khilam harir jayati." (Which means?)

Everyone was astonished that a seven year old boy, with no education could
recite sanskrit verses. All the devotees remarked that surely he has received
the Lord's mercy. Mahaprabhu was moved to ecstasy by hearing this verse and
embraced the boy in great love, showering His blessings upon him, "May you
always be enlivened in the ecstasy of Krsna's pastimes."

Svarupa Damodara remarked "This verse that he has recited is the prime object
of satisfation for the ears of the devotees. Therefore one of his names will be
Karnapura. (But why?) Thus the son of Sivananda later became famous as Kavi
Karnapur.

He compiled following literatures: Caitanya-candrodaya-nataka,
Ananda-vrindavana-campu, Caitanyamrta Mahakavya, Gaura-ganoddesa-dipika,
Radha-Krsna-ganoddesa-dipika, Sri Krsna-chika-kaumudi, Alankara-kaustubha,
Arya-sataka.

