

        NAME                            SOURCE

1.      NABHA                           GVA
2.      NABHAJI (NABHADASA)             GVA
3.      NAJIR                           GVA
4.      NAKADI                          GVA,CCU
5.      NAKADI DASA                     GVA
6.      NAKUL BRAHMACARI                GVA,CCU
7.      NALINA PANDITA                  GVA
8.      NALINI DEVI                     GVA
9.      NANDA MISRA                     GVA
10.     NANDADULAL ADHIKARI             GVA
11.     NANDAI                          GVA,CCU
12.     NANDAI                          GVA,CCU,BMO
13.     NANDAKISOR CANDRA DASA          GVA
14.     NANDAKISOR DASA                 GVA
15.     NANDAKISOR DASA                 GVA
16.     NANDA VILLAGE'S SIDDHA BABA     GVJ
17.     NANDAGRAMA'S JANAIKA BABAJI     GVJ
18.     NANDANA                         GVA
19.     NANDANA                         GVA
20.     NANDANA (NANDANA ACARYA)        GVA,CCU,BMO
21.     NANDANA ACARYA                  GVA
22.     NANDANA ACARYA                  BMO
23.     NANDANA MAITI                   GVA
24.     NANDARAMA                       GVA
25.     NANDINI DASI                    GVA
26.     NARAHARI CAKRAVARTI (GHANASYAM) GVA
27.     NARAHARI DASA                   GVA
28.     NARAHARI SARKARA THAKURA        GVA,GPC,CCU
29.     NARAHARI VISARADA               GVA
30.     NARASIMHA DASA                  GVA
31.     NARASIMHA DEVA                  GVA
32      NARASIMHA KAVIRAJA              GVA
33.     NARASIMHA NADIAL                GVA
34.     NARASIMHA RAYA RAJA             GVA
35.     NARAYANA                        GVA
36.     NARAYANA                        GVA,CCU
37.     NARAYANA                        CCU
38.     NARAYANA BHATTA                 GVA,CCU
39.     NARAYANA BHATTA                 GVA
40.     NARAYANA CAUDHURI               GVA
41.     NARAYANA DASA                   GVA,CCU
42.     NARAYANA DASA                   GVA
43.     NARAYANA DASA                   GVA
44.     NARAYANA DASA                   GVA
45.     NARAYANA DASA KAVIRAJA          GVA
46.     NARAYANA DASA THAKURA           GVA
47.     NARAYANA GHOSH                  GVA
48.     NARAYANA GUPTA                  GVA
49.     NARAYANA KAVI                   GVA
50.     NARAYANA MANDALA                GVA
51.     NARAYANA PAIDARI                GVA
52.     NARAYANA PANDITA                GVA
53.     NARAYANA RAYA                   GVA
54.     NARAYANA SANYAL                 GVA
55.     NARAYANA TIRTHA                 ENCYCLOPEDIA
56.     NARAYANA VACASPATI              GVA,CCU
57.     NARAYANI DASI                   GVA,CCU
58.     NARAYANI DASI                   GVA
59.     NARAYANI DEVI                   GVA,CCU
60.     NARAYANI DEVI                   GVA
61.     NARAYANI DEVI                   GVA
62.     NAROJI                          GVA
63.     NAROTTAMA DASA ADHIKARI         GVJ
64.     NAROTTAMA MAJUMDAR              GVA
65.     NAROTTAMA THAKURA               GVA,GPC
66.     NARTAK GOPALA                   GVA
67.     NASIR MAMUD                     GVA
68.     NATAVARA                        GVA
69.     NATHAMUNI                       ENCYCLOPEDIA
70.     NAVACANDRA                      GVA
71.     NAVADA SRIGARBHA                GVA
72.     NAVADVIPA CANDRA DASA           GVA
73.     NAVADVIPA CANDRA DASA           GVJ
74.     NAVADVIPA CANDRA GOSVAMI VIDYARATNA   GVA
75.     NAVAKANTA                       GVA
76.     NAVAKISOR GOSVAMIPADA           GVJ
77.     NAVA GAURANGA DASA              GVA
78.     NAVANI HODA                     GVA,CCU
79.     NAYANA BHASKARA                 GVA
80.     NAYANA BHASKARA                 GVA
81.     NAYANA SEN                      GVA
82      NAYANANANDA KAVIRAJA            GVA
83.     NAYANANANDA THAKURA             GVA
84.     NAYANANANDA THAKURA/MISRA       GVA,GPC,CCU
85.     NILAKANTHA SURI                 GVA
86.     NILAMBARA                       GVA,CCU,BMO
87.     NILAMBARA                       GVA
88.     NILAMBARA CAKRAVARTI            GVA,CCU
89.     NILAMANI MUKHUTI                GVA
90.     NILASYAMA DASA                  GVA
91.     NIMAI KAVIRAJA                  GVA
92.     NIMANANDA DASA                  GVA
93.     NIMANANDA DASA                  GVA
94.     NIMBARKA                        ENCYCLOPEDIA
95.     NIMU GOPA                       GVA
96.     NIRANJANA                       GVA
97.     NIRLOMA GANGADASA               GVA
98.     NITYANANDA PRABHU               GVA,CCU
99.     NITYANANDA ADHIKARI             GVA
100.    NITYANANDA CAUDHURI             GVA
101.    NITYANANDA DASA                 GVA
102.    NITYANANDA DASA                 GVA
103.    NITYANANDA DASA                 GVA
104.    NITYANANDA DASA                 GVA
105.    NITYANANDA DASA (SADHU)         GVJ
106.    NITYANANDA DASA BABA            GVJ
107.    NITYANANDA DASA BABAJI          GVJ
108.    NIVARANA VIDYAVAGISA            GVA
109.    NRSIMHACARYA                    CCU
110.    NRSIMHA BHADUDI                 GVA
111.    NRSIMHA CAITANYA/DASA           GVA,CCU
112.    NRSIMHA CAKRAVARTI              GVA
113.    NRSIMHA CIDANANDA TIRTHA        CCU
114.    NRSIMHA DASA BABA               GVJ
115.    NRSIMHA DEVA                    GVA
116.    NRSIMHA KAVIRAJA                GVA
117.    NRSIMHA PURI                    GVA
118.    NRSIMHA TIRTHA                  GVA,CCU
119.    NRSIMHA GATI                    CCU
120.    NRSIMHANANDA BRAHMACARI/BHARATI GVA,CCU
121.    NRSIMHANANDA THAKURA            GVA
122.    NRSIMHAVALLABHA MITRA THAKURA   GVA
123.    NETRANANDA                      GVA
124.    NYACARYA                        CCU


1.NABHA:

She was the mother of Advaita Prabhu (Bhaktiratnakara 12.1756-1758).  Mahananda Vipra was Nabha's father.  The family descended from Narasimha Nadiyal of Nabagram (Premavilasa 24).  Nabha devi had seven sons.  (See `Advaita Acarya')

2.NABHAJI (NABHADASA):

He was a Ramanandi Vaisnava and wrote the book titled Bhaktamala (a compilation of hagiographies).  He was the disciple of Agradasa (GVA. Vol. 1, p. 370 and Vol. 2, p. 1271, Bhaktamala 1).

Near Ramabhadracala, a place located on the bank of the Godavari in Andra Pradesh, there was a Maharastrian brahmana named Ramadasa who became well known as the ansa-avatara (partial incarnation) of Hanuman.  Ramadasa's family is still famous by the
name of `Lakhabhakta,' and were singers by profession.  Nabhaji was born into this family.

Nabhaji was blind from birth, but at the age of five years he was miraculously given sight.  When famine ravaged their land, Nabhaji's mother migrated to a distant part of the country.  Along the way she abandoned Nabhaji out of fear of starvation.
At this time Nabhaji met Agradasa and Kilhadasa. The later gave Nabhaji sight by sprinkling sanctified water upon him.  Agradasa gave Nabhaji diksa and the name Narayandasa.  He then took Nabhaji near Jaipur to Galta (or Galbasrama) and installed him
 as the Acarya there.  Nabhaji's Bhaktamala contains 195 Satpadi (an eighteen lettered mantra) and 213 poems.

3.NAJIR:

He was a Muslim Vaisnava poet.  His compositions have been compiled in the book Hindike Musalmana Kavi.

4.NAKADI:

He belonged to the sakha of Nityananda Prabhu.  (CC. 1.11.48)

5.NAKADI DASA:

He was the disciple of Srinivasa Acarya.  (Karnananda 1)

6.NAKULA BRAHMACARI:

He was a very good looking devotee who lived in Ambua Muluka.  He delivered many fallen souls in Gauda and was said to possess the spirit of Mahaprabhu.  Hearing this, Sivananda came to test him, thinking that since his mantra was unknown to others,
if Nakula could tell what his mantra was, then he would believe that Nakula was empowered by Mahaprabhu. Sivananda hid himself amongst the many visitors who had come to meet Nakula.  But Nakula recognised him and in front of everyone revealed Sivanan
da's Gaura-Gopala mantra.  Sivananda was filled with reverence and offered Nakula great respect. (CC. 3.2.16-18)

7.NALINI PANDITA:

He was the son of Sri Jaladhara Pandita and the elder brother of the famous Srivasa Pandita.  Nalina Pandita's daughter, Narayani devi, gave birth to the famous Sri Vrndavana dasa, the author of Sri Caitanya Bhagavata. (Premavilasa 23)  (See also `Vr
ndavana dasa Thakura')

8.NALINI DEVI:

She was the wife of Santosa Roy, brother of Canda Roy. She was a disciple of Narottama Thakura.  (Premavilas 20)

9.NANDA MISRA:

He was the disciple of Sri Baladeva Vidyabhusana.  He wrote a tika on Siddhanta Darpana.

10.NANDADULALA ADHIKARI:

He was the 9th generation descendant of Syamadasa, who was a disciple of Srinivasa Acarya.  Due to his profound spiritual realization he was given the title `Mahanta'.

11.NANDAI:

He belonged to the branch of Nityananda Prabhu.  (CC. 1.11.49)

12.NANDAI:

He belonged to the branch of Lord Caitanya.  He, Govinda, and Ramai regularly attended to the needs of Mahaprabhu.  He was Varida in Krsna lila.  (CC. 1.10.143-144)

According to BMO. p. 87, Nandai or Nanda Bai were the same person.  Some scholars who uphold this view argue that the name Nandai evolved from Nandabai, which is said to be another form of Nanda Bhai.  Nandai lived in Puri and was a worshipper of Lor
d Jagannatha.  In Sri Caitanyaganoddesadipika, an unpublished manuscript by Krsnadasa Kaviraja, the following reference to Nandai is found:  singhbhatta kamalabhatta ramai nandai, kramat jambe ei kinkar sadai;  "This servant will gradually learn of d
evotees such as Singhabhatta, Kamalabhatta, Ramai and Nandai."

When Lord Caitanya went to Vrndavana, He spent a night at Chaturdwar (modern Chauduar).  At the request of King Prataparudra, Tulsi Misra Parichha sent Mahaprasadam to Lord Caitanya.  Ramai and Nandai were among those who carried the Mahaprasada to t
he Lord.  (CC. 2.16)

13.NANDAKISOR CANDRA DASA:

He was the author of Sukaduta Mahakavya, Premavilasa Kavya, Govindagunarnava drama, Radhaviharacampu, Bhagavata Darpana Kavya.  He also wrote a tika named Valavodhini on Rasa Pancadayayee.  He was born in Vrndavana in the home of a scholarly brahmana
 family in 1870 Samvat.

14.NANDAKISOR DASA:

According to Pata Paryatana, he was the disciple of Sri Abhirama Gosvami and his Sripata was at Cunakhali.

15.NANDAKISOR DASA:
He belonged to the branch of Nityananda Prabhu and his Sripata was in Purunia.  After receiving the order from the Badshah, he installed the Deities of Sri Sri Nitai-Gaura at Srngarvat in Vrndavana.  Being directly commanded by Lord Krsna and Balaram
a, he wrote Sri Vrndavana Lilamrta and Sri Rasakalika.

16.NANDA VILLAGE'S SIDDHA BABA:

(Told by the great singer and scholar, Srila Advaita dasa babaji Mahasaya):  When Siddha Jayakrsna dasa babaji in Kamyavana and Siddha Sri Vaisnava dasa baba in Kosi were practicing bhajan, at that time there was also one Siddha baba practicing bhaja
n at Paurnamasi kunda near Sri Nanda village. He lived under a tree, although his kutir was near the tree, and worshiped Sri Govardhana Sila.  He always kept the Sila hanging around his neck in a piece of cloth and never removed it even while perform
ing rituals, answering natures call, or taking bath.  He would sit for long periods of time in ecstatic trance.  When he regained consciousness, his Vaisnava followers cooked food and offered bhoga to Sri Govardhana and took prasadam.  No one knew wh
ere the cooking ingredients came from, but there was always a full stock to serve any number of visitors.

17.NANDAGRAMA'S JANAIKA BABAJI (O KUKUR-PRASANGA-Information on an unnamed Babaji of Nandagrama and a dog):

This story was told by Sri Ramdasa Babaji to Haridasa dasa:  Long ago, one completely renounced Vaisnava saint practiced bhajan seated on the bank of Jasodakunda near Nandisvara.  His name is unknown.  Once a day he left his cave to perform his ablut
ions and in the evening he went to the village for madhukari.  In his old age he did not go anywhere other than Nandagrama.

Once a certain Babaji came from Govardhana and eagerly requested this Baba to go to Caklesvara on the occasion of a Namayajna being held there.  At first the Baba declined the offered, but after repeated requests, he relented and went to participate
in the Namayajna.  After being away from Nandagrama for two days, the Baba came back and returned to his regular routine.

He was a about to enter his cave after returning from madhukari, when suddenly he heard a pitiful voice speaking to him as follows:  "Listen to me revered Babaji!  I haven't eaten anything for two days."  The startled Baba asked, "Who are you?"  The
answer was, "I am that dog whom you give a share of your madhukari to daily."  Intrigued by this contact with a supernatural world, the Baba pleaded to the invisible voice to introduce himself clearly.  The dog then went on to say, "Listen Baba, I am
 the most unfortunate being.  In my past birth I was the priest here in the temple of Nandisvara. Once a large ladu was prepared for offering to the Deity and I, out of lust, grabbed it and ate it without waiting for it to be offered.  As a result of
 that sin I have taken birth as a ghost.  Since you are a totally renounced Vaisnava I come here to partake of the madhukari given by you, in hopes that I will be liberated by your mercy."  Hearing this account the Baba inquired further, "Be that as
it may, but nevertheless, since you belong to the supernatural world, tell me, you surely get darsana of Yugalakisora and Their divine lila?" The reply was, "True, I do get darsana and witness lila also, but I am not able to appreciate it in this for
m, in the same as one who is fortunate enough to have a human body."
The Baba urgently pleaded, "But could you make me fortunate enough to witness this?"  The reply was in the negative.  But the Baba insisted, "Could you guide me as to how I can have a darsana?"  This time the reply was positive, "Look here, tomorrow
you should wait on the edge of the Jasodakunda, when the cattle are returning home watch out for the cowherd boy who comes at the end, that one will be none other than Lord Krsna Himself."  Saying this the ghost in the form of a dog vanished.

The Babaji then began to wait with intense eagerness.  It seemed like ages to wait until the cows would again be returning home.  Impatiently waiting, the Baba sometimes cried, sometimes laughed, and sometimes dances restlessly. When the long night w
as finally over, he rushed to Jasodakunda and hid under a bush.  But he could not sit there patiently, thoughts began to fill his mind,  "Am I eligible to have a darsana of Lord Krsna?  This is absurd!" and the Babaji would roll on the ground, bathin
g himself in the dust and tears which streamed from his eyes.  "Lord Krsna is an ocean of mercy,"  he thought, "certainly he will shower his grace upon this unfortunate soul."  Thinking in this way he began to dance and sing in ecstacy.  It seemed as
 if time stood still. As the Babaji underwent innumerable emotional changes, the hour of the sunset slowly arrived and the time of the cattle's return approached.  It was twilight and the Babaji could not contain himself. He hid himself in the bush a
nd waited. Eventually the herd of cattle and buffalos were seen slowly approaching.  One or two cowherd boys were seen tending their flock.  Ah! at last, the last cowherd boy was seen-he was dark-complexioned, and walked with a limp, holding a staff
toward Nandagrama.  The Babaji rushed forward and fell prostrate, clasping the cowherd boy's feet.  The boy said, "Listen to me Baba, I am the son of a trader, it is offensive for me to allow you to touch my feet.  Please let go of my feet, my mother
 will beat me.  Please Baba, come to my house with me, I shall offer you curds, sugar candy, madhukari, or whatever you want, but please let go of my feet."

The Babaji paid no attention and with utter humility begged, "Oh my beloved Lord, please cool my afflicted heart and give darsana just once.  Oh, my Lord Krsna!  Please give me refuge at your lotus feet without making any further pretence."

Meanwhile the other cowherd boys returned home, as the devotee and his beloved Lord remained at that spot from evening until midnight exchanging words in this way.  Finally, when the Babaji did not leave his feet, nor heed the boy's words, the Lord s
aid, "Well Baba, come on, have a look at My true form."  Saying this the Lord manifested Himself in His three-fold bending form, holding the flute.  The Babaji said, "My Lord, I have never contemplated You alone;  I am a worshiper of Yugala (the pair
).  Please save me by giving me darsana once of You and Your associates."  Then the unique form of Yugalakisora, surrounded by sakhis, manifested there before his eyes.  The Babaji was overwhelmed with the fascinating beauty of the Lord and drank dee
p the nectar of Their darsana.  Thus his treasured desire was fulfilled and he swam in an ocean of divine joy.  The Babaji left his body shortly afterwards.

18.NANDANA:

He was a Vaisnava poet.  No information is available on him.

19.NANDANA:

He was a disciple of Rasikananda prabhu.  (Rasikamangala Pascima 14.151)

20.NANDANA (NANDANA ACARYA):

He is mentioned under the lineage of both Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityananda.  (CC. 1.11.43, CBh. 2.3.176, CC. (R.G. Nath ed.) 2/3/151, Sri Krsna Caitanyacaritamrtam of Murari Gupta (Mrnalkanti Ghosh ed.) 2.8.9, Sri Caitanya Caritamrta Mahakavya of Ka
rnapura 6.11).

Nandana was the son of Caturbhuja Pandita of Navadvipa. Visnudasa and Gangadasa were his other two brothers. Nityananda Prabhu stayed with them for sometime.

21.NANDANA ACARYA:

Born in an astrologer-brahmana caste, Nandana's father was named Laksminarayana Sarvajna.  They lived for sometime at Bahirkanda village near Tarakeswar, then moved to Srihatta or Kadsinapada at Navadvipa.  Laksminarayana's other son was Bhagavan Adh
ikari Sarvabhauma.  Laksminarayana was an unparalleled scholar in astrology and as stated in CBh., witnessed the birth of Lord Caitanya and prepared His horoscope.  (Sri Visnupriya Gauranga 3.10)

Nandana belonged to the lineage of Lord Caitanya and was a lame man (CC. 1.10.39).  The day Lord Gauranga manifested His Mahaprakasa lila, Advaita Prabhu was staying in the house of Nandana.

When Lord Caitanya left for Puri after accepting sannyasa, Nandana also went to Puri afterwards.  When Lord Caitanya returned to Puri after His tour in the south, Nandana, despite his physical handicap, rushed forward to greet the Lord.

When Srinivasa Acarya came for a pilgrimage in Navadvipa, he felt blessed to visit the house of Nandana. (Bhaktiratnakara 12.2422-2423)

22.NANDANA ACARYA:

The name of Nandana Acarya is found in the list of devotees given by Krsnadasa Kaviraja in CC.  But in Gurubhaktigita (of Acyutananda dasa, Utkal University edition, 1975, Vol. III, P. 176) the name given is Nandini Acarya, who has been identified as
 Haranayani gopi.  In the following four works, Brajabhihar (by Dasarathi dasa, manuscript preserved in Utkal University library, catalogue no. O.L. 382), Anuragakalpalata (by Gajapati Syamasundaradeva, manuscript preserved in Utkal University Librar
y, catalogue no. O.L. 97), Swarupabarnana (by Rupa Gosvami, manuscript preserved in Utkal University Library, catalogue no. O.L. 382), and Caitanyaganoddesadipika the name Nandana Acarya is referred to.  In these works he was known as Harini in his p
revious birth.  The similarity between Nandana and Nandini, Haranayani and Harini, leads us to conclude that those names were of one person.  Due to the similarity in the names one feels inclined to identity as the disciple of Jagannatha dasa, Nandin
i Acarya.  Further research is needed to verify this.

23.NANDANA MAITI:

An Odiya devotee of Lord Caitanya.  Nandana was in the service of Lord Jagannatha in Puri.

24.NANDARAMA:

He was the disciple of Jangalipriya, the disciple of Sita Devi.  Nandarama served Sita Devi and wrote the book titled Sri Krsnamisracaritra.

25.NANDINI DASI:

She belonged to the lineage of Advaita Prabhu.  Some say that she was the daughter of Advaita Prabhu.  Sita devi had two attendants; Jangali and Nandini (Premavilasa 24). Bhaktamala 3 notes that Nandini was a companion of Sita Devi and Jangali.  The
story goes that originally Nandini was a ksatriya man from Haripura near Santipura.  After becoming a disciple of Sita Devi, he changed to wearing female dress. Mahantas of his temple also wear female dress.  Information available from Lokanatha dasa
's Sitacaritra says that his past name was Nandarama.

Nandini served the Gopinatha Deity and received an annual grant of Rs. 72-75 from the collectorate office of Baguda (Bangladesh).  During his old age he lived at Puri where the Nandini Matha still exists.  He was Jaya in his previous incarnation.

26.NARAHARI CAKRAVARTI (GHANASYAM):

Narahari Cakravarti: Jivani O Racanavali, Vol. I: Biography and collection of works by Mihir Caudhuri Kamilya P. 15-41.

The following are the only sources of information on the life of Narahari:

1)   Anandanarayan Maitra Bhagavatabhusana, the copyist of manuscripts of Bhaktiratnakara and Narottamavilasa recorded some information on the author along with the text.  (See Pathvadi ms. of Bhaktiratnakara no. 2341-24, p. 154 ka-156 ka and Pathvad
i ms. of Narottamavailasa no. 2336.21, p. 22dha-35 kha.).  A brief biographical note on Narahari is found in Bhaktiratnakara Gaudiya Mission 2nd edition, 1960, P. 649-650. A little biographical information is also found in Gauracaritracintamani Harid
asa dasa ed. 461 Gauravda p. 17. Pada 38, and in Gitacandrodaya Pathvadi ms. no. 2543.3. page 8 kha, pada 51.

2)Some sayings related to Narahari's life have come down orally. The following biographical events can be constructed from the available sources of information: (a) information on parents, (b) place of birth, (c) two names, (d) Guruparampara, (e) tak
ing shelter at Vraja and other related events.

Jagannatha, the father of Narahari, was a disciple of Visvanatha Cakravarti.  According to Sukumar Sen, (Bangala Sahityaera Itihas Vol. I, Apararadha, 2nd ed. P. 390) the family may have been related to Visvanatha.  Nagendranatha Vasu in Vrajparikram
a, Bangiya Sahitya Parisat ed. P. 4 introduction, states that Visvanatha was related to the paternal lineage of Jagannatha.  Narahari's family was from Renapura on the eastern bank of the Ganga near Saiyadabad in the district of Murshidabad.

Jagannatha was married at a fairly young age. His wife was also an ardent devotee of Lord Krsna.  Yet soon after marriage Jagannatha left on pilgrimage, from then on he lived the life of a renunciate, although living within the family.

There are differences of opinion among scholars regarding the birth place of Narahari;  Sisirkumar Ghosh says that Narahari lived at Katoa on the bank of the Ganga (See Ksirodcandra Ray `Ghanasyamadasa' Sahitya Magha 1299 BS).

Ten years later the historian, Nikhilnatha Raya, in his Mursidavader Itihasa Vol. 1, 1309, Chapter 12, P. 628 writes that Narahari was born in a brahmana family at Renapura near Nasipura village in Murshidabad. The next year Jagadvandhu Bhadra in his
 introduction to Gaurapadatarangini 1310 1st ed. p.77 neither accepted the views of Sisir Ghosh, Ksirodcandra or Nikhilnatha, nor did he shed any light on the subject. However, Vaisnava scholars such as Amulyadhan Bhatta (Vaisnavacarita Abhidahan 133
1 BS P. 148), Sasibhusan Vidyalamkar (Jivanikos Vol. 3, 1345 BS, P. 498), Murarilal Adhikari (Vaisnava Digdarsani 1332 BS P. 123), Haridasa Dasa and Bilvanbihari Majumdar have all accepted Renapura village in Mursidabad as the birthplace of Narahari.

Narahari himself did not give any reason as to why he used two names.  In his writings both names have been used. The bhanita of Narahari is found in the concluding sloka of every chapter of Bhaktiratnakara and Narottamavilasa, in each pada of the ma
nuscript titled `Gauraparikaraganera sucaka', in the manuscript titled `Navadvipa Parikrama,' and in the beginning and end of `Gitacandrodaya.'  However, the name Ghanasyam is found in Sangitasarasamgraha (See Swami Prajnanananda ed. Sangitasara-samg
raha of Sri Ghanasyama dasa, Calcutta, Ramakrsna Vedanta Matha, 1956) and in `Paddhatipradipa."  Of the 1,581 pada's written by Narahari, about three-fourths are signed Narahari, and one-fourth are signed Ghanasyam.  This indicates that both names we
re fairly popular, although Narahari was more frequently used.

There was considerable controversy regarding the name of Narahari's diksa guru.  It appears from the analysis of historical events that the interval between the birth of Srinivasa Acarya and death of Visvanatha was about 186 years. Narahari was still
 a child at the time of Visvanatha's disappearance.  Thus the possibility that Narahari took diksa from Srinivasa is out of the question.  According to historians, Srinivasa was born in 1517/18 AD and Visvanatha, the guru of Narahari's father, died i
n 1704 AD.  Secondly, the aged great grandson of Srinivasa, Radhamohana Thakura, was born about 180 years after the birth of Srinivasa.  Yet nowhere in Radhamohana's word Padamrtasamudra is any pada of Narahari to be found.  However, in Gitacandroday
a of Narahari there are two padas composed by Radhamohana.  Thus one can conclude that during the period of Radhamohana's compilations, Narahari was not yet established as a poet, or he was rather young in age.  Therefore there is no possibility that
 Narahari could have been a disciple of Srinivasa.

Dr Dineschandra Sen in Bangabhasa O Sahitya 2nd ed. P. 372 states that Visvanatha Cakravarti was the guru of Narahari.  Later this view was upheld by Vaisnava scholars such as Amulyadhan Bhatta, Madhusudana Tattvavacaspati, Harilal Cattopadhyay, Sasi
bhusan Vidyalankar, etc.  However, no evidence was cited to support this view.  Historical events show that Narahari was merely a child when Visvanatha died, thus he cannot be held to be the guru of Narahari.

Scholars such as Satiscandra Ray, Harekrsna Mukhopadhyay, Sukumar Sen, etc. have given no opinion on this point. Haridasa Dasa and Bimanbihari Majumdar say that Narahari's guru was Nrsimha Cakravarti (GVA p. 1225, Bharatkos Vol. 4, P. 164).  However,
 no details are given on this matter.

In the manuscript copy of Narottamavilasa, copying date 1264 BS (1857 AD), there is an appendix which gives the guru-parampara of Narahari as follows (The above ms. is from Barahanagar Pathvadi no. 2336.21):

                          Lord Caitanya
                               |
                          Gopala Bhatta (parsad)
                               |
                          Srinivasa Acarya (disciple)
                               |
                          Ramacandra Kaviraja (disciple)
                               |
                          Hariramacarya (disciple)
                               |
                          Gopikanta (son and disciple)
                               |
          _____________________|____________________________
         |                                           |
    Ramabhadra                                    Manohara (disciple and elder brother               (grandson and disciple)
 of Visvanatha)                                      |
         |                                           |
    Ramanidhi                                    Nandakumar
(son and disciple of Manohara)               (son and disciple)
         |
      Nrsimha
(son and disciple of Nandakumar)
         |
 Narahari Cakravarti
(disciple)

No further information is available on Nrsimha Cakravarti, the guru of Narahari.  The reason Narahari mentioned the name of Srinivasa in Bhaktiratnakara could be because the book deals with the biography of Srinivasa and that Narahari himself belonge
d to the lineage (sakha) of Srinivasa.

Not much information is available about the childhood, adolescence, youth or old age of Narahari.  However a study of his padavali shows that he was completely detached from worldly life and possessions.  He remained unmarried throughout his life and
 when his parents died he went to live in Vrndavana.

Upon reaching Vrndavana, Narahari went to meet Laksmana dasa.  Several devotees, hearing of his arrival, came to meet Narahari.  After considering his family status, his purity of character and eagerness for spiritual life, the Vaisnavas there consid
ered Narahari competent to serve Govindaji. However, out of humility, Narahari dared not accept the responsibility.  The Vaisnavas, however, particularly Laksmanadasa, insisted that he take charge of the Deity service.  Hearing this, Narahari looked
downward and started crying.  Calling out the names of the Vaisnava Acaryas, he began rolling on the earth in front of Gopesvara.  The signs of ecstatic emotions were visible on his body and he fell unconscious on the ground.  In that state of uncons
ciousness, Narahari had darsana of Visvanatha, Nrsimha, his father-Jagannatha, many other Vaisnava Acaryas, and Sri Sri Radha Krsna.  Upon regaining his senses, the Vaisnavas comforted him, but Narahari continued to dance and weep.

Laksmanadasa brought Narahari to the temple of Govindaji, where all the Vaisnavas offered flowers at the feet of the Deity and sought permission to appoint Narahari in charge of the Deity service.  The garland suddenly broke loose from the neck of Ra
dha Govinda and was placed around the neck of Narahari, who was still in a state of ecstatic trance. Narahari was then left in the temple and the other Vaisnavas departed.  Narahari swept and washed the temple premises, collected flowers, grass and f
uel, but he never accepted the job of a priest despite repeated requests from other priests.

A popular story related to Narahari is stated as follows: One night, during the time when Narahari was serving in the Govindaji temple, Narahari, within his mind, cooked some food for the Deity and offered it to Govindaji.  The Lord was very pleased
to accept these foodstuffs.  That night Govindaji appeared to the King of Jaipur in a dream, giving him a gold vessel containing prasadam, and commanded him to go early the next morning and appoint Narahari as the cook for the Deity. The king acted a
s commanded and from that time the devotees addressed Narahari as "Rasuiya Pujari" or "Rasuiya Thakura."

Three quarters of Narahari's life was spent in the service of Govindaji.  In Vaisnava history, no one served Govindaji for such a long period of time, except Premadasa.  At some point in his life Narahari threw away his sacred thread and wore the rag
s of a destitute.  Toward the end of his life Narahari lived only on madhukari in Vrajamandala.  It is said that he usually distributed a share of his madhukari amongst the devotees.

A critical analysis of Narahari's works shows that he lived from the last decade of the seventeenth century until about the sixth decade of the eighteenth century.

The following are the chief works of Narahari:

1.Bhaktiratnakara
2.Narottamavilasa
3.Srinivasa Caritra
4.Gitacandrodaya
5.Chandahsamudra
6.Gauracaritacintamani
7.Namamrtasamdura
8.Paddhatipradipa
9.Sangitasarasamgraha

Narahari had an extraordinary command over both the theoretical and practical aspects of Indian vocal and instrumental music.
 
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