

27.NARAHARI DASA:

He was the compiler of the book Advaitavilasa.  This biography of Advaita Prabhu is not considered to be completely authentic.

28.NARAHARI SARKARA THAKURA:

He was born in Srikhanda, four miles west of Katoa in the district of Burdwan.  He had two brothers, Sri Mukunda dasa and Sri Madhava dasa.  Sri Raghunandana Thakura was the son of Sri Mukunda dasa.  (CC. 1.10.78)

Sri Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami described the devotees of Srikhanda as a big branch of the tree of Mahaprabhu.  Sri Narahari Thakura participated in all the pastimes of Sri Caitanya.  Sri Narahari Cakravarti has praised Narahari Sarkara in his Bhaktir
atnakara (9.513).  Locana dasa was Narahari's disciple and has written about his guru in Caitanyamangala:  "I offer my respects to my spiritual master, Narahari dasa Thakura, who had immense influence upon the Vaidya community.  He is always absorbed
 in ecstatic love for Krsna, and is constantly preaching the glories of the Lord......Madhumati, the favorite sakhi of Sri Radha in Vrndavana, took birth in Kali yuga as Narahari, the associate of Sri Gaurahari."

Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura mentioned Narahari in his description of the sankirtana lila of Sri Gaurasundara, "Narahari fans the Lord with a camara, as Sanjaya, Mukunda, and Vasu Ghosh sing the glories of the Lord."

Sri Narahari Sarkara Thakura was a singer as well as a poet.  He composed many songs about the activities of Sri Gaura and Nityananda.  He wrote the Sanskrit book Sri Bhajanamrta.  Many songs dealing with the pangs of separation written by Narahari c
an be found in Padakalpataru and other books.

The songs about Gauranga's pastimes composed by Sri Narahari Sarkara Thakura and the songs of Sri Narahari Cakravarti are very similar, thus it is difficult to distinguish which songs were written by who.  Before composing the songs about Sri Gaurang
a, Narahari Sarkara wrote many songs about the divine activities of Lord Krsna.

Narahari Sarkara passed away on the eleventh day of the dark fort-night in the month of Agrahayana (Nov.-Dec.).  He composed the following works:

1.Bhakticandrika Patal
2.Sri Krsnabhajanamrta
3.Sri Caitanyasahasranama
4.Sri Sacinandanastaka
5.Sri Radhastaka

Padavali's composed by him are uniquely beautiful.

Buchanan Hamilton sates in the Purnea Report pg. 272, that the descendants of Sarkara Thakura had many disciples in the south-east region of Purnea district.  (Also see Srikhandera Pracina Vaisnava by Gauragunananda Thakura)

29.NARAHARI VISARADA:

He was the father of Vasudeva Sarvabhauma.  He was a famous scholar of Gauda and was a contemporary of Nilambara Cakravarti.  (CC. 2.6.53)

30.NARASIMHA DASA:

He translated Hansaduta into poetry.  (Bangiya Sahitya Sevaka)

31.NARASIMHA DEVA:

He was the eighth king of Codaganga's royal dynasty (1238-64 AD.).  He built the Konarka Temple of the Sun god.

32.NARASIMHA KAVIRAJA:

He was a disciple of Srinivasa Acarya.  His Sripata was at Kancanagadia.  (Karnananda 1)

33.NARASIMHA NADIAL:

He lived in Srihatta and was the paternal grandfather of Sri Advaita.  He later settled in Ramakeli village in Gauda. Some time afterwards he became a minister of King Ganesa.  It was he who advised Ganesa to kill Sultan Sam-ud-din and to occupy the
throne of Gauda.  (Advaita Prakasa)

34.NARASIMHA RAYA RAJA:

He was a king whose capital was at Pakkapalli or Paik Pada.  He and his wife, Rupamala, were initiated by Sri Narottama Thakura.  He was also famous by the name of Nrsimha deva.  (Premavilasa 19-20, Narottamavilasa 12, Also see `Rupacandra Sarasvati'
)

35.NARAYANA:

The elder paternal grandfather of Sri Sanatana. (Bhaktiratnakara 1.559)

36.NARAYANA:

He was the brother of Damodara Pandita.  (Vaisnava Vandana,  See `Jagannatha')

37.NARAYANA:

He belonged to the branch of Nityananda Prabhu and was the brother of Devananda.  He was a brahmana from Navadvipa. According to GVA, he was Vaidya by caste.  (CBh. 2.8.209, CC. 2.11.75, 1.11.46)
38.NARAYANA BHATTA:

He was a disciple of Sri Krsnadasa brahmacari, who was the disciple of Sri Gadadhara Pandita Gosvami.  He was the author of Bhaktirasatarangini, Vrajabhaktivilasa, Vrajadipika, Vrajotsava-candrika, Vrajamohodadhi, Vrajotsavahladini, Vrhad Vrajagunots
ava, Vrajaprakasa, Vrajadipika, Bahktabhusana sandarva, Vrajasadhana-candrika, Bhaktiviveka, Sahanadipika, Rasikahladini, Premankura (drama), Ladililala Yugala Paddhati and Ladilesvastaka.

39.NARANAYA BHATTA:

He was the paternal grandfather of Jagadisa Pandita. (Caitanyamangala of Jayananda 2.20)

40.NARAYANA CAUDHURI:

He was a disciple of Srinivasa Prabhu.  He lived at Jaypura in Goyas Pargana.  He installed the Deity of Sri Govinda.  (Anuragavalli 7)

41.NARAYANA DASA:

He lived in Sri Vrndavana and may have been a disciple of Sri Advaita.  He was with Sri Rupa Gosvami when they secretly went to see Sri Gopala in the house of Vitthalesvara.  (CC. 2.18.47,53; 1.12.61)

42.NARAYANA DASA:

He was the disciple of Rasikananda.  (Rasikamangala Pascima 14.83)

43.NARAYANA DASA:

He was the great-grandson of Srinivasa and the disciple of Sri Jagadananda prabhu.  He translated Muktacarita into poetry around 1624 AD.

44.NARAYANA DASA:

He translated Ujjalanilamoni. (Baranagar Pathvadi ms. no. Anu 1.)



45.NARAYANA DASA KAVIRAJA:

He wrote the tika named Sarvanaga Sundari on Gita Govinda.

46.NARAYANA DASA THAKURA:

He was a great Vaisnava and scholar.  He was the father of Sri Mukunda, Madhava and Narahari Sarkara of Srikhanda. Some believe him to be the commentator of the Gita Govinda.

47.NARAYANA GHOSH:

He was a disciple of Sri Narottama Thakura.  (Premavilasa 20, Narottamavilasa 12)

48.NARAYANA GUPTA:

He was a Gaura devotee whose identity is unknown. (Vaisnava Vandana)

49.NARAYANA KAVI:

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

50.NARAYANA MANDAL:

He belonged to the family of Srinivasa Acarya. (Anuragavalli 7)

51.NARAYANA PAIDARI:

He belonged to a subsidiary disciple line of Sri Gadadhara Pandita.  (Sakhanirnayamrta 57)

52.NARAYANA PANDITA:

He belonged to the branch of Sri Caitanya.  (CC. 1.10.36)

53.NARAYANA RAYA:

He was a disciple of Narottama Thakura.  (Premavilasa 20, Narottamavilasa 12)

54.NARAYANA SANYAL:

He was a disciple of Narottama Thakura.  (Premavilasa 20)

55.NARAYANA TIRTHA:

He lived during the 16th century and was from Andhra Pradesh.  He is famous for his numerous musical compositions which are celebrated for both their scholarly and musical qualities. His principal work is the Krsnalila Tarangini, a musical compositio
n in the form of what are called the Tarangas.  This Sanskrit work consists of twelve cantos and depicts the pastimes of Lord Krsna in His childhood.  (An Encyclopedia of South Indian Culture, p. 317)

56.NARAYANA VACASPATI:

He was a brahmana disciple of Sri Caitanya.  In Krsnalila he was Saureseni.  According to CCU. P. 655, it is likely that Narayana Paidari, Pandita and Vacaspati are actually the same person.  (Gauraganoddesadipika 168, Namamrtasamudra 146)

57.NARAYANI DASI:

She was a brahmana woman and the Dhatrimata (nurse) of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.  She was the sister of Srivasa's wife.  In Krsna lila she was Kilimvika.  (Caitanyamangala (J) 2)

58.NARAYANI DASI:

She was the mother of Narottama Thakura. (Narottamavilasa 2, Also see `Narottama Thakura')

59.NARAYANI DEVI:

She was the daughter of Sri Nalina Pandita, elder brother of Srivasa Pandita.  She was the mother of Vrndavana dasa. When he was still in his mother's womb, Narayani devi lost her husband Vaikuntha Bipra.  Thus she left the house of her husband in Ku
marhatta and came to the house of Srivasa in Navadvipa.  From her childhood, Sri Mahaprabhu showed great affection for Narayani. Mahaprabhu often gave his chewed betel leaf to her, for this reason the devotees addressed her as the `Pikdan' (pot which
 is used to spit in) of Mahaprabhu.

When Locana dasa completed the Sri Caitanyamangala, he gave the book to Vrndavana dasa to look at.  After reading the portion of the book which describes the Lord's private conversation with Visnupriya the night before He left to take sannyasa, Vrnda
vana dasa decided he did not approve of the book.  However, Narayani explained to her son that the incident had been rightly described, as the sakhis had pushed Visnupriya into the room of Mahaprabhu with the purpose of listening to the private talk
between Prabhu and Thakurani by standing behind the closed door.  Because Narayani devi was one of the sakhis, Vrndavana dasa happily accepted the book.

Narayani devi has not been mentioned separately in Sakhanirnaya or CC.  (Premavilasa 23, GGD. 43)

60.NARAYANI DEVI:

She was the wife of Sri Virabhadra Gosvami, son of Nityananda Prabhu.  Her father was Sri Yadunandana Acarya and her mother was Sri Laksmi devi.  Her sister, Sridevi, was also married to Virabhadra prabhu.  Jahnava Mata, wife of Nityananda Prabhu, ga
ve initiation to both her daughter-in-laws.

61.NARAYANI DEVI:

She lived in Vrndavana and was a disciple of Narottama Thakura.  Her husband was Sri Ganganarayana Cakravarti and her daughter was Sri Visnupriya. (Bhaktiratnakara 13.252)

62.NAROJI:

During Mahaprabhu's tour of the South, Naroji came in contact with Him and his character was completely changed.

63.NAROTTAMA DASA ADHIKARI:

He was the disciple of Sri Nityananda dasa babaji.  He was the Adhikari of Sri Radhakanta Math of Srikshetra.  After having darsana of Siddha baba, he took refuge at his feet and began learning bhajan.  From then on he lived in Vrndavana, and due to
his intelligence and good conduct he became the chief of the whole Vrajamandala.  Sri Gopaldasa babaji Mahasaya of Bhadavali was like his disciple.

64.NAROTTAMA MAJUMDAR:

He was a disciple of Narottama Thakura.  (Premavilasa 20, Narottamavilasa 12).

65.NAROTTAMA THAKURA:

Kayastha by caste, Narottama was the son of King Krsnananda Datta.  Krsnananda was the Zamindar of Gopalpur Pargana in the Rajsahi district of Bangladesh.  His capital was located at Kheturi, about a mile northeast of Prematali on the bank of the riv
er Padma, about a distance of twelve miles northwest of Rampur Boalia.  Narayani devi was Narottama's mother.

Narottama was born about the middle of the fifteenth Saka century (BRK. 1.466-468).  From his childhood he was extremely attracted to Lord Caitanya.  According to some, after the death of his father, Narottama entrusted his elder paternal uncle's son
, Santos Datta, with the responsibility of the royal duties and left for Vrndavana.

Premavilasa 8 narrates as follows:  One day while dancing in kirtana at Kanair Natsala village, Lord Caitanya suddenly began calling out the name, "Narottama, Narottama."  Tears streamed from the Lord's eyes and He appeared to be restless. After spea
king with Nityananda Prabhu the Lord expressed His desire to visit Gaderhat on the bank of the Padma.  Mahaprabhu explained to Nityananda that he wanted to deposit the treasure of love of Godhead on the bank of the Padma for Narottama to pick up late
r.  The river Padma then asked the Lord how she would be able to identity Narottama, and the Lord explained that the person whose touch would make her surge up would be none other than Narottama.

At the age of twelve Narottama had a dream in which Nityananda Prabhu appeared to him and commanded that he collect the prema which was left in the custody of the river Padma.  Early in the morning Narottama went alone to the river Padma to take his
bath.  As soon as his feet touched her, the river surged forth.  Remembering the words of Lord Caitanya the Padma now transferred the treasure to Narottama.

Upon receiving this divine love Narottama's bodily complexion changed.  His parents tried every means by which keep him with them, but Narottama was drunk with the nectar of Lord Caitanya and Nityananda and could not be kept in check. Leaving behind
all worldly bondage Narottama rushed for Vrndavana.  Premavilasa 11 explains how Narottama was comforted by the divine touch of Rupa and Sanatana Gosvami, and how he received the grace of his spiritual master Lokanatha Gosvami.

After Narottama was initiated by Lokanatha Gosvami, he received all instructions regarding the practice of spiritual life.  Narottama was spiritually named Campakamanjari.

With the approval of the local Vaisnavas, Jiva Gosvami deputed Srinivasa, Narottama and Syamananda to carry the Gosvamis books to the devotees in Gauda.  Although they were properly escorted by protected vehicles and guards, the books were stolen nea
r Vanavisnupur.  Srinivasa then sent Narottama to Kheturi and Syamananda to Utkala.

Narottama is widely believed to be the incarnation of Nityananda Prabhu.  Narottama established his asrama, named Bhajantuli, about two miles away from the capital of Kheturi. Sometime after his return from Vrndavana, Narottama installed six Deities;
 Lord Gauranga, Vallavikanta, Lord Krsna, Lord Vrjamohan, Lord Radhmohan and Lord Radhakanta.  On the occasion of this installation ceremony Narottama held a grand festival at Kheturi, which is famous amongst all Vaisnavas.

Narottama was the first exponent of the Garanhati tradition of kirtana.  He arranged this musical tradition in a way as to accommodate all parsad (associates) of both prakata and aprakata lila of Lord Gauranga, which gave immense pleasure to the audi
ence.

Ramacandra Kaviraja was a very close companion of Narottama throughout his life (See Bhaktiratnakara and Narottamavilasa for details on Narottama's biography.

Among the writings of Narottama, Prarthana and Premabhakticandrika are the most well-known.  The brief write-up titled `Hatapaltana' is also attributed to Narottama but the contents do not seem to be in harmony with historical events and thus some be
lieve that it is a fake work.  From evidence in older manuscripts Haridasa dasa has concluded that the real author was one Ramesvar dasa.  Some argue that Narottama wrote Siddhabhakticandrika, Sadhyapremabhakti, Camtakar candrika, etc., but these are
 not published works and the few mss. which are available do not seem to be in Narottama's writing style.  Narottama did translate Smaranamangala into Bengali verse.  In eleven slokas this work describes the pastimes of Radha Krsna in eight parts of
the day (Astakaliya).

See the following Bengali books for further information on Narottama:

1.Narottama dasa O Tahar Racamavali by Niradprasad Nath, Calcutta University, Calcutta.
2.Narottama Dasa by Rammohan Mallik
3.Narottama Thakura Kheturir Nitai by Narendranath Cattopadhyay
4.Narottama-lila va Sri Gaura Premavatara by Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami

The following is a narration describing the disappearance of Thakura Mahasaya:  Narottama Thakura was always engaged in the singing the glories of Sri Gaura and Nityananda.  Through his preaching many fallen souls were purified.

After taking permission from Narottama, Sri Ramcandra Kaviraja went to Sri
Vrndavana, a few months thereafter he breathed his last. When Srinivasa Acarya
heard this he could not bear the shock and after a few days he too died.  When
this news reached Srila Thakura, he was overwhelmed with grief and began
singing in a choked voice. He gathered all the devotees around him in
the temple of Sri Mahaprabhu and started sankirtana. Slowly the sankirtana
party proceeded to the bank of the Ganga. With eyes full of tears, Narottama
fell prostrate on the ground and entered into the Ganga to take bath.  Sitting
knee deep in the water he continued singing loudly, along with Sri Ramakrsna
Acarya and Sri Ganganarayana Cakravarti. Narottama requested that they massage
his body as he continued singing. As they massaged him, Thakura Mahasaya's body
simply merged with the sacred water of the Ganga.

Thus on the fifth day of the dark fortnight in the month of Kartika (Oct.-Nov.)
he entered into the eternal pastimes of the Lord.

66.NARTAK GOPALA:

He was a brahmana belonging to the branch of Nityananda Prabhu.  (Narottamavilasa)

67.NASIR MAMUD:

He was a Muslim Vaisnava poet.  Pada no. 1339 in Padakalpataru is his composition.

68.NATAVARA:

He was a composer of padas.  Pada no. 1366 on Danalila and no. 2250 on Lord Gauranga in Padakalpataru are his compositions.

69.NATHAMUNI:

A redactor of the tenth century in the field of Tamil literature.  He collected the scattered literature of the Alwars, thereby preserving the devotional literature in Tamil pertaining to Vaisnavism.  This literature was written in the four preceding
 centuries.

He is usually considered to be the link between the Alwars and Acaryas in the Sri Vaisnava tradition--Nathamuni himself being the first Acarya.  After traveling widely in Tamilnadu he collected all the available hymns of the Alwars and compiled them
 into four volumes. He was the first among the great preceptors in the Visistadvaita tradition.  He was also known as Ranganatha Muni.  He wrote the Yogarahasya and Nyaya tattva, which are referred to in numerous philosophical works of later periods.

70.NAVACANDRA:

He was a composer of padas.  Three padas composed by him on Gostholila have been included in Padakalpataru.

71.NAVADA SRIGARBHA:

He lived in Navadvipa and was a favorite of Sri Nityananda Prabhu.  (Caitanyamangala (J))

72.NAVADVIPA CANDRA DASA:

He was a composer of padas.  Pada no. 2961 in Padakalpataru dealing with namasankirtana is his composition.

73.NAVADVIPA CANDRA DASA:

He was born in East Bengal.  Once a female Vaisnava told Navadvipa Candra about Radharamanacarana dasa babaji, who was living near the hermitage of Sri Nrsimha deva in Navadvipa. Thus Navadvipa Candra went to have darsana of Radharamana. Immediately
upon meeting they developed a great love for each other.  They happily embraced and from that day on they were inseparable.

Navadvipa Candra was the embodiment of humility, and through his preaching many fallen souls were delivered.  He was so close to his guru that he was able to perceive the inner thoughts of Radharamana very easily.  Being advised by Radharamana, Navad
vipa dasa went to Sri Vrndavana and in 1902 AD. he departed from this world remembering the lotus feet of his guru Sri Radharamana deva.
74.NAVADVIPA CANDRA GOSVAMI VIDYARATNA:

He was a pandita belonging to the family of Sri Nityananda Prabhu.  He was the author of Vaisnavacara Darpana, Vaisnava Vratadinanirnaya and Arunodaya-Vedhe-Janmasthami Parityagera Vidhi.  In 1867 AD. he was requested by the Asiatic Society of Bengal
 to edit the book Sankaracharya Vijaya.  Because of his retirement, he was only able to correct thirty-three chapters and then handed over the work to Jaynarayana Tarkapancanana.  For those who are unable to understand the Sanskrit language, he descr
ibed the Vaidhi and Raganuga marga in simple Bengali language.  His descendants are still sincerely serving the Deity of Sonar Gauranga and other Deities existing in the house of Srivasa in Navadvipa.

75.NAVAKANTA:

He was a composer of padas.  Pada no. 1453 in Padakalpataru written in Vrajbuli and dealing with Holi, is his composition.

76.NAVAKISOR GOSVAMIPADA:

His biography is with Locanananda Gosvamipada (See under `L')

77.NAVA GAURANGA DASA:

He was a disciple of Narottama Thakura.  (Premavilasa 20, Narottamavilasa 12)

78.NAVANI HODA:

He belonged to the branch of Sri Nityananda Prabhu. (CC. 1.11.50)

79.NAYANA BHASKARA:

He was a sculptor from Halisahara.  Srimati Jahnava devi ordered him to carve a Deity of Sri Radha for Sri Sri Gopinatha in Vrndavana.  (BRK. 10.321, 11.244-245, 11.788)

80.NAYANA BHASKARA:

He was a disciple of Sri Syamananda prabhu.  (Premavilasa 20)
 
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