SRI VIRACANDRA PRABHU

Sri Viracandra or Virabhadra Prabhu appeared on the ninth day of the dark
fortnight of the month of Kartik. Krsna dasa Kaviraja Gosvami has given this
description of Him in the C.c. Adi 11.8-12:

"After Nityananda Prabhu, the greatest branch is Virabhadra Gosani, who also
has innumerable branches and subbranches. It is not possible to describe them
all. Although Virabhadra Gosani was the Supreme Personality of Godhead, He
presented Himself as a great devotee. And although the Supreme Godhead is
transcendental to all Vedic injunctions, He strictly followed the Vedic
rituals. He is the main pillar in the hall of devotional service erected by Sri
Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He knew within himself that He acted as the Supreme Lord
Visnu, but externally He was prideless. It is by the mercy of Sri Virabhadra
Gosani that people all over the world now have the chance to chant the names of
Caitanya and Nityananda. I therefore take shelter of the lotus feet of
Virabhadra Gosani so that by His mercy my great desire to write Sri
Caitanya-caritamrta will be properly guided."

Sri Virabhadra Gosvami is the son of Sri Nityananda Prabhu and the disciple of
Sri Jahnava Mata. His mother is Srimati Vasudha Devi. In the
Gaura-ganoddesa-dipika it is described that Sri Viracandra Prabhu is an
incarnation of Ksirodakasayi Visnu, one of the expansions of Sri Sankarsana. He
is thus not different from Lord Caitanya Himself.

Once upon a time, Isvari (Sri Jahnava Mata) went to the house of one
Yadunandana Acarya of Jhamatpur near Rajbol Hat (?) and by her mercy he became
a devotee. Yadunandana's wife was extremely devoted to her husband and his two
daughters, Srimati and Narayani, posessed bodily forms which excelled the
limits of mortal beauty. By the desire of Isvari that very perfect brahmana
gave these two daughters in marriage to Prabhu Viracandra. [B.R. 13]

Sri Yadunandana Acarya became the disciple of Viracandra Prabhu and Srimati and
Sri Narayani were given initiation in mantra by Sri Jahnava Mata. Viracandra
Prabhu had a sister, Srimati Gangadevi, who was none other than Mother Ganga
herself. Her husband Madhavacarya was an incarnation of Raja Santanu.

Taking permission from his mother, Viracandra Prabhu set out on a pilgrimmage
to Vrindavana. First he came to Saptagram and proceeded to the house of Sri
Uddharana Datta Thakura where He was met by Uddharana Datta's son, Srinivasa
Datta. Srinivasa greeted Him with respect and showed Him all hospitality for
the two days that he stayed there. From there He went to Santipur where He was
led to Advaita Bhavan in a kirtan procession by Advaita Acarya's son, Sri Krsna
Misra. Next he crossed the Ganges River and came to Gauri dasa Pandita's house
in Ambika Kalna. Sri Hrdaya Caitanya Prabhu respectfully greeted Him and
honored Him as His guest. From here He came to Navadvipa, to the house of
Jagannath Misra. When the family members and associates of Mahaprabhu learned
that He was the son of Sri Nityananda Prabhu, they were highly pleased and
showed Him all courtesies.

After spending two days there He came to Sri Khanda where He was greeted very
respectfully and affectionately by Sri Raghunandana and by Sri Kanai Thakura.
He spent a few days there, and then went to Srinivasa Acarya Prabhu's house in
Jajigram, where Acarya Prabhu received his exalted guest by offering Him the
appropriate worship. A few days passed in the ecstasy of sankirtan and then
Viracandra Prabhu came to Kantak Nagan (Katwa). He remained there for one day
and then proceeded to Bhudarigram. There He was received by Sri Govinda Kaviraj
who worshiped His lotus feet and offered Him all hospitality. Sri Viracandra
Prabhu was very pleased at his devotion and remained there for a couple of
days. Thereafter He made His auspicious arrival in Kheturi.

As soon as he received news of His arrival, Sri Narottama Thakura came out in
great ecstasy to meet Sri Viracandra Prabhu. He led Him into the courtyard of
the temple of Sri Gauranga where sankirtan accompanied with ecstatic dancing
commenced. A steady crowd of people thronged to get a glimpse of Prabhu
Viracandra. [B.R. 13]

After spending a few days in Kheturi in ecstatic sankirtana, Viracandra Prabhu
set off for Sri Vrindavana Dhama. Along the way many sinful and atheistic
people were delivered by His influence. As news of His arrival reached
Vrindavana, the Gosvamis, namely Srila Jiva Goswvami, Srila Krsna dasa Kaviraj
Gosvami, Sri Ananta Acarya, Sri Hari dasa Pandita, Sri Krsna dasa Brahmacari
(Sri Madhu Gopala's pujari, a disciple of Sri Gadadhara Pandita), Sri Madhu
Pandita (pujari of Sri Gopinatha), Sri Bhavananda, Sri Kasisvara, as well as
his disciple Sri Govinda Gosvami and Sri Yadavacarya were all informed.

The Gosvamis, accompanied by many residents of Sri Vrindavana Dhama, all came
out to meet Prabhu Viracandra. Everyone was overwhelmed by His appearance in
ecstatic love, and they all were humming like bumble bees in discussing His
good qualities. Prabhu Viracandra, in the company of these exalted souls, took
darsana of Sri Madana Mohana, Sri Govindaji, Sri Gopinatha, the principal
Deities in Vrindavana. [B.R. 13]

After receiving the consent of Sri Jiva Gosvami and Sri Bhugarbha Gosvami,
Prabhu Viracandra set out to wander in the twelve forests of Vrajamandala,
becoming completely overwhelmed by seeing the various places of Krsna's
pastimes, like Sri Radha Kunda, Sri Shyama Kunda and Giri Govardhana. His
display of ecstatic symptoms captivated the Brijbasis. After seeing the sights
of Sri Vrajadhama, Viracandra Prabhu returned to Gaudadesa.

All of the divine qualities of His father, Sri Nityananda Prabhu, were fully
present in Him. Those who were fortunate enough to witness His ecstatic love
praised His glories far and wide.

Gopijana Vallabha, Rama Krsna and Ramacandra, who are thought by some to be the
sons of Virabhadra Gosai, were actually His disciples. The youngest, Rama
Krsna, who resided at Khardaha, belonged to the Sandilya Gotra and was a member
of the Batabyal brahmana community, known for their accomplishment in studying
the Vedas. The oldest, Gopijana Vallabha, lived at Latagram near Manakar, in
the district of Barddhaman. The middle one, Ramacandra, lived at Ganeshpur near
Maldah. Because their gotras and surnames (titles) were different, and because
they lived at different places, it is concluded they were not actually
Viracandra Prabhu's sons.

His birthplace is at Khardaha, which now is a rail station on the
Sealdah-Krsnanagar line. The village where Nityananda Prabhu made His advent in
this world - Ekacakra - is also named Viracandrapur. Here the Deity of Sri
Bankim Raya was worshiped by Viracandra Prabhu.