SRI PARAMANANDA PURI

Sri Paramananda Puri took birth in the province of Trihuta, which is today
comprised of Majahfarpur, Dwarbhanga and Chapra districts. He was dear disciple
of Sri Madhavendra Puri. [C.B.Ant 3/178]

The first meeting of Mahaprabhu and Paramananda Puri took place in South India
at Rsabha Parvata. Mahaprabhu recited many prayers and hymns while taking
darsana of Lord Narayana at Rsabha Parvata. Paramananda Puri was present there
at that time for the four months of the rainy season (caturmasya). Hearing this
auspicious news, Mahaprabhu went to meet him and offered his obeisances at his
feet. Paramananda Puri in turn embraced Him in great love. For three days they
remained absorbed in talks of Sri Krsna, staying together in Puri Gosai's room.
Paramananda Puri told Mahaprabhu that he would be going to Purusottama (Puri)
and then on to Gauda (Bengal) to take bath in the Ganges.

Mahaprabhu then requested him to return from there to Nilacala as He would
Himself be going there from Setu Bandha. Mahaprabhu expressed His desire that
the two of them could reside there together. "Being kind upon me, please come
to Nilacala." Saying this He took permission to leave and set out for the
South, feeling very joyful. Then Paramananda Puri began his journey to Puri.
According to Gaura-ganoddesa-dipika, Paramananda Puri was formely Sri Uddhava
in Krsna-lila.

Mahaprabhu respected Puri Gosai as his guru and whenever he received any
invitation to honor the Lord's prasadam, He would always take Paramananda Puri
with Him. Puri Gosvami was in turn very affectionate to Mahaprabhu in the mood
of parental love. Mahaprabhu arranged one room and a servant for him at Kasi
Misra Bhavan. Later on Puri Gosai took up residence at one Math on the western
side of Lord Jagannatha's temple.

One day Lord Caitanya took Gadadhara Pandit with him and paid a visit to
Paramananda Puri. There at the Matha, one well had been dug but the water was
not very nice. Therefore Paramananda Puri was somewhat dissatisfied.
Mahaprabhu, being aware of everything. inquired, "Gosaiji, how is the water in
your well now?" Puri replied, "This well is very unfortunate. The water is more
like mud than water."

Hearing this Mahaprabhu was sad and therefore He raised up His two arms and
prayed to Lord Jagannatha, "Lord Jagannatha, please bestow this blessing upon
Me, that Ganga water will enter into this well." At that very moment,
Gangadevi accepted the Lord's order on her head and entered into that well and
filled it with her presence.

The devotees could understand that due to the Lord's prayer, Gangadevi had made
her appearence. They circumbulated that well and offered their obeisances.
Having received this auspicious news Mahaprabhu immediately came there and,
seeing the pristine water, remarked, "Please hear me, O devotees. Whoever takes
bath in or drinks this water will receive the same benefit as one does by
bathing in or drinking Ganges water. He will attain pure devotion to Krsna."

Every day, Puri Gosai would first come to take darsana of Maha-prabhu, and then
attend to any other activities. Mahaprabhu would in turn always look after him
and see to his needs. Mahaprabhu announced, "I am in this world only due to the
affection of Puri Gosvami. I belong to him and not to any other. He can sell Me
anywhere He likes. Whoever simply sees him becomes the object of Sri Krsna's
affection".

As Puri Gosai was the life and soul of Mahaprabhu, Mahaprabhu was similarly the
life and soul of Puri Gosai. [C.B.Ant. 3.237-255]

Puri Gosvamis well can still be found at Jagannatha Puri within one police camp
on the way to Lokanatha Mandira.

