

33. PITAMAVARA:

        He belonged to the lineage of Lord Nityananda.  In his past incarnation he was Kaveri.  (GGD. 168, CC. 1.11.52)

34.     PITAMVARA DASA:

        He was the son of Ramagopal dasa.  He belonged to the sakha of Raghunandana Thakura and was a disciple of Sacinandana Thakura.  He compiled the collection of padavali's titled Rasamanjari.  He also wrote the Sanskrit work Sriman Naraharisakha
nirnaya (See Srikhandera Pracina Vaisnava P. 113).  Also see the collection of manuscripts belonging to Rakhalananda Thakura, preserved at Srikhanda.

35.     PITAMVARA DWIJA (PANDITA):

        Pitamvara was known by various titles. He was the brother of Damodara and Sankara Pandita (Murari Sen, Govinda Ghosh?). He is mentioned in the following manuscripts:  (1) Barja Bihar, by Dasarathi dasa (manuscript preserved in the library of
the Utkal University, catalogue no. 49,  (2) Anuragakalpalata, by Gajapati Shyamasundara Deba ( a ms. preserved in the library of the Utkal University, catalogue no. O.L. 97).

        It is said that Pitamvara was a disciple of Nityananda. Pitamvara is referred to as Premamanjari in Swarupabarnana (a work by Rupa Gosvami-manuscript preserved in the library of the Utkal University, catalogue no. 382) and in Gurubhaktigita (
a work by Achyutananda, Utkal University, 1975, Vol. 3, Chapter 49, P. 176).  He is also mentioned in  Sri Chaitanyaganoddesodipika as Manjarika.  Scholars argue that Pitamvara Dwija was possibly the famous Pitamvara Purohit as stated in Vedanta sara
guptagita of Balarama dasa and Amarakoshagita of Daibangya Balarama.

36.     PRABHUCANDRA GOPALA:

        He was a disciple of Lord Nityananda and the younger brother of Rama Raya.  Prabhucandra wrote a commentary titled Sri Radhamadhava Bhasya on Rama Raya's Brahmasutra treatise titled Gauravinodini.  In the commentary Prabhucandra upholds the d
octrine of `acintya-bhedabhedavada'.  This commentary is dated fifteenth Saka century (1578 AD. onwards).  In Prabhucandra's other work, titled Mahavani and composed in Vrajbhasa, the poet depicts Lord Gauranga as inseparable from Lord Krsna and Radh
a.

37.     PRABHURAMA DATTA:

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

38.     PRADYUMNA BRAHMACARI:
        (Also see `Nrsimhananda Brahmacari')  The following is some additional information given by R.G. Nath ed. CC., Appendix Volume PP. 278-279, under Nakula Brahmacari.

        Pradyumna Brahmacari was his name before initiation.  His Sripata was at Piariganj near Kalna. He was a worshiper of Nrsimha.  Seeing Pradyumna's extraordinary devotion to his Nrsimha Deity, Lord Caitanya gave him the name Nrsimhananda (CC. 1
.10.55-56).  He was also extremely devoted to Lord Caitanya.

        When the Lord left Orissa on pilgrimage to Vrndavana via Gauda and arrived at Kulia, Nrsimhananda began to imagine within his mind that he was preparing the route for Lord Caitanya.  The road was lined with jewels and beautiful flowers.  Ther
e were divine ponds along the path filled with bright lotuses.  Birds chirped melodiously in the sky and cool breezes blew all around.  Thus Pradyumna prepared an imaginary route up to Kanai Natsala, but he failed to go beyond this point.  Thus Prady
umna predicted that this time Lord Caitanya would not go to Vrndavana, but would turn back at Kanai Natsala's place, which proved to be exactly what happened.

        Once at Ambika, Pradyumna underwent a state of transcendence wherein he experienced the avesa (presence) of Lord Caitanya within himself.  In that state he laughed like a madman, wept, danced and sang as if he were insane. People from all ove
r Gauda arrived to look at Pradyumna who advised everyone to chant the name of Lord Krsna.  After just one meeting with him visitors felt ecstatic love for Krsna arise within their hearts.

        Sivananda Sen heard all this and desired to test Pradyumna's authenticity.  Thus he thought to himself, "Only if Pradyumna calls me by name and recites my Istamantra, will I be convinced that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has actually manifested wi
thin his body."  Pradyumna successfully passed the test.

        When Srikanta Sena, the nephew of Sivananda Sena, was about to return to Bengal, the Lord told him,  "Forbid the devotes of Bengal to come to Jagannatha Puri this year.  This year I shall personally go to Bengal and meet all the devotees ther
e headed by Advaita Acarya.  Please inform Sivananda Sena that this December I shall certainly go to his home. Jagadananda is there and he can give Me offerings of food. Inform them all that no one should come to Jagannatha Puri this year."

        When Srikanta Sena returned to Bengal and delivered this message, the minds of all the devotees were very pleased. When the month of Pausa arrived, both Jagadananda and Sivananda collected al kinds of paraphernalia for the Lord's reception.
Every day, they waited impatiently until evening for the Lord to come.  As the month passed by and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu did not come, Jagadananda and Sivananda became most unhappy.
        Suddenly Nrsimhananda arrived, and Jagadananda and Sivananda arranged for him to sit near them.  Seeing them both so unhappy, Nrsimhananda inquired, "Why are you both so despondent?"

        Sivananda Sena explained, "Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu promised that He would come.  Why, then, has He not arrived?"

        Hearing this, Nrsimhananda Brahmacari replied, "Please be satisfied.  I assure you that I shall bring Him here three days from now."

        Sivananda and Jagadananda knew of Nrsimhananda Brahmacari's influence and love of Godhead.  Therefore they now felt assured that he would certainly bring Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

        After meditating for two days, Nrsimhananda Brahmacari told Sivananda Sena, "I have already brought Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu to the village known as Panihati.  Tomorrow at noon He will come to your home.  Therefore please bring all kinds of co
oking ingredients.  I shall personally cook and offer Him food.  In this way I shall bring Him here very soon.  Be assured that I am telling you the truth.  Do not be doubtful. Nrsimhananda thus cooked for the Lord and in his mediation he saw Sri Cai
tanya Mahaprabhu quickly come, sit down and eat everything.  The next year, Sivananda went to Jagannatha Puri with all the other devotees to see the lotus feet of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.  One day, in the presence of all the devotees, the Lord raised
 these topics concerning Nrsimhananda Brahmacari and praised his transcendental qualities.  The Lord said, "Last year in the month of Pausa, when Nrsimhananda gave me varieties of sweetmeats and vegetables to eat, they were so good that I had never b
efore eaten such preparations." Hearing this all the devotees were struck with wonder, and Sivananda became confident that the incident was true.

39.     PRADYUMNA GIRI:

        He is mentioned in the Caitanyamangala of Jayananda P. 88.

40.     PRADYUMNA MISRA:

        A brahmana by caste who belonged to the lineage of Lord Caitanya.  He came from Sylhet and later settled in Orissa. He is mentioned in the Bengali Vaisnava vandana no. 66, of Devakinandana and included in the published addition of Vaisnava Va
ndana edited by Atul Krsna Gosvami. (Also see Caitanyacandrodayanatakam of Kavi Karnapura, edited by Acarya Ramacandra Misra, Varanasi, Choukhamba Sanskrit Series office, 1366, Ch. 8, p. 258)

        Caitanyacandrodayanataka (Nirnayasagar Press edition) states that it was Sarvabhauma who introduced Pradyumna Misra to Lord Caitanya.  According to Bimanbihari Majumdar this Pradyumna could not be the cousin brother of Lord Caitanya hailing f
rom Sylhet.  Pradyumna is considered to have been the author of Sri Krsna Caitanyodayavali.  CC. 1.10.135, 2.1.120, 2.10.43, 3.5.4-67 explains how Lord Caitanya praised Pradyumna as a great lover of Lord Krsna and recited Krsna katha in his presence.
  Lord Caitanya was extremely kind to Pradyumna and advised him to take spiritual guidance from Ramananda.  (One manuscript in the name of Siksastaka is available in the Utkal University library, catalogue no. cy 336.  Also see CBh. 3.3.409)

41.     PRADYUMNA MISRA:

        He was a cousin-brother of Lord Caitanya.  Some argue that he was the nephew of the Lord.  This Pradyumna belonged to the family-line of Kirti Misra, residing at Burunga in Sylhet district.

42.     PRAHARARAJA MAHAPATRA:

        A brahmana by caste and a resident of Orissa, Prahararaja was introduced by Sarvabhauma to Lord Caitanya (CC. 2.10.46). Kavi Karnapura in his Caitanya Candrodayanataka 8.2, describes Prahararaja as an ardent devotee.  Bhakti Movement in Oriss
a P. 88, states that it is possible that Prahararaja and Praharaja were two persons but in course of time they came to be known as one person.

43.     PRAKASANANDA:

        He was the paternal uncle of Thakura Jagannatha Acarya, a resident of Kasthakata village in Dhaka (Bangladesh), as mentioned in the CC.  Prakasananda was the youngest son of Ratnakara Misra and brought up Thakura Damodara as a child. In a sha
ck on the bank of Ghasipukur in the village of Kasthakata, he worshiped a Damodara salagrama which had been handed down in his family for generations.  Upon receiving a divine command from Lord Caitanya,  Thakura Jagannatha rushed to Santipura and Pr
akasananda followed him.  After a day or two they arrived at Santipura and met Lord Gauranga and His associates.

        Advaita Prabhu gave spiritual initiation to Prakasananda with the mantra of Lord Krsna.  Due to not hearing the mantra correctly, Prakasananda began chanting the wrong mantra and as a result, had a vision of mother goddess whenever he mediate
d on Lord Krsna.  Prakasananda asked Advaita Prabhu what was wrong.  Advaita then asked him to write down the mantra that he was chanting and Prakasananda did so on a banyan leaf. Advaita told Prakasananda, "You have not yet attained perfection in Sa
ktimantra, hence you should go back to your native place and continue to worship the mother-goddess with this mantra.  This will lead you to your cherished goal."

        Shortly thereafter Prakasananda and Thakura Jagannatha returned home, only to find that the Salagrama Damodara was no longer there.  They both lay prostrate on the bank of the Ghasipukur awaiting a divine command.  Finally the command came th
at the Damodara would accept service from members belonging to the fifth generation of Prakasananda's family line.  For many years the salagrama remained in the household of a local Muslim and after the specified period of time had passed, the salagr
ama gave a divine command and came back to Prakasananda's family to accept worship.  Descendants of Prakasananda's family continue to receive spiritual initiation in Saktimantra from the Gosvami family of Cakphera in Santipura and serve Damodara in A
dial village.  The following is the genealogical line from Prakasananda:

1.      Ramajivan and Ramagopa
2.      Ramakesava and Ramvallabha
3.      Ramagovinda
4.      Bhavanicaran
5.      Ramavallabha
6.      Ramnarasimha
7.      Gokulacandra
8.      Ramanarayana
9.      Syamacarana
10.     Dhurjati and Surendra

44.     PRAKASANANDA SARASVATI:

        He was an extremely influential Mayavadi sannyasi who resided in Varanasi.  He had several thousands of sannyasi disciples.  Prakasananda often criticized Lord Caitanya as a sannyasi by name, a charlatan, etc.  Devotees of Lord Caitanya in Va
ranasi, namely Tapan Misra, Candrasekhar Vaidya, Paramananda Kirtaniya etc., felt deeply hurt to hear the Lord criticized in this way.

        During Lord Caitanya's pilgrimage to Vrndavana when he arrived at Varanasi one brahmana from Maharastra met Lord Caitanya and instantly obtained love for Krsna.  One day this brahmana spoke of the glory of Lord Caitanya in a meeting held by P
rakasananda.  But Prakasananda continued to criticize the Lord saying, "I advise you to attend my meetings and listen to discourses on Vedanta, do not go to Lord Caitanya as both your spiritual and material life may be spoiled by association with way
ward men.  The Maharastrian brahmana, however, thought to himself, "I wish I could somehow arrange a meeting where these sannyasis could have a look at Lord Caitanya and instantly upon seeing Him they will realize that He is the Lord.  Then they will
 stop criticizing Him and instead surrender at His feet.  But how is it possible to arrange such a meeting?  Lord Caitanya generally does not accept any invitations.  If I do not try to carry out this plan, I shall certainly continue to suffer mental
 depression."  Thinking like this, the Maharastrian brahmana extended an invitation to all the sannyasis of Varanasi.  After this, he finally approached Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu to extend Him an invitation. He immediately fell at the lotus feet of the
 Lord and requested Him to accept his proposal.  Lord Caitanya smiled and accepted the invitation of the brahmana.  He made this gesture to show His mercy to the Mayavadi sannyasi.

        As soon as Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu saw the sannyasis He immediately offered obeisances, and then went to wash His feet.  After washing His feet, He sat down by the place where He had done so.  After sitting on the ground, Caitanya Mahaprabhu
exhibited His mystic power by manifesting an effulgence as brilliant as the illumination of millions of suns.  When the sannyasis saw the brilliant illumination of the Lord's body, their minds were attracted, and they all immediately gave up their si
tting places and stood in respect.

        The leader of all the Mayavadi sannyasis present was named Prakasananda Sarasvati, and after standing up he addressed Lord Caitanya as follows with great respect, "Please come here.  Please come here, Your Holiness.  Why do You sit in that un
clean place?  What has caused Your lamentation?"

        The Lord replied, "I belong to a lower order of sannyasis.  Therefore I do not deserve to sit with you." Prakasananda Sarasvati, however, caught Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu personally by the hand and seated Him with great respect in the midst of
the assembly.

        Prakasananda then said: "I understand that Your name is Krsna Caitanya.  You are a disciple of Sri Kesava Bharati, and therefore You are glorious.  You belong to our Sankara-sampradaya and live in our village, Varanasi. Why then do You not as
sociate with us?  Why is it that You avoid even seeing us?  You are a sannyasi.  Why then do You indulge in chanting and dancing, engaging in Your sankirtana movement in the company of fanatics?  Meditation and the study of Vedanta are the sole dutie
s of a sannyasi.  Why do You abandon these to dance with fanatics?  You look as brilliant as if You were Narayana Himself.  Will You kindly explain the reason that You have adopted the behavior of lower-class people.?"

        Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu replied, "My dear sir, kindly hear the reason.  My spiritual master considered Me a fool, and therefore he chastised Me.  `You are a fool,' he said. "You are not qualified to study Vedanta philosophy and therefore You
must always chant the holy name of Krsna. This is the essence of all mantras or Vedic hymns.  In this age of Kali there is no other religious principle than the chanting of the holy name, which is the essence of all Vedic hymns. This is the purport o
f all scriptures.'  Since I received this order from My spiritual master, I always chant the holy name, alone and in the association of devotees.  That holy name of Lord Krsna sometimes causes Me to chant and dance, and therefore I chant and dance.
Please do not think that I intentionally do it.  I do it automatically."

        After hearing Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's words, all the Mayavadi sannyasis were moved. Their minds changed, and thus they said, "Dear sir, there is no objection to Your being a great devotee of Lord Krsna.  Everyone is satisfied with this. But
 why do You avoid discussion on the Vedanta-sutra?  What is the fault in it?"

        Smiling slightly the Lord said, "My dear sirs, if you don't mind I can say something to you regarding Vedanta philosophy."  The Lord then began pointing out the deficiencies of Sankaracarya's commentary.  He explained how Sankara concentrated
 on the secondary aspects of Sruti (Upanishad), ignoring the primary ones, and hence a number of deficiencies are found in his bhasya.  Lord Caitanya then explained the meaning of the Vedanta sutra, drawing attention to the limitations of the Mayavad
 bhasya of Sankara.

        When all the Mayavadi sannyasis thus heard the explanation of Caitanya Mahaprabhu they spoke very humbly. "Dear sir, You are Vedic knowledge personified and are directly Narayana Himself.  Kindly excuse us for the offenses we previously commi
tted by criticizing You."  From that moment their minds changed, and on the instruction of Caitanya Mahaprabhu, they too chanted "Krsna! Krsna!" always.  Thus Lord Caitanya excused all the offenses of the Mayavadi sannyasis and very mercifully blesse
d them with Krsna-nama. (CC. Adi.)

        On another occasion Lord Caitanya went to have darsana of Bindumadhava and was filled with ecstatic love.  Tapan Misra, Candrasekhar Vaidya, Sanatana Gosvami and others who accompanied Lord Caitanya began singing kirtana, and hundreds of peop
le flocked there to join the chanting.  Hearing the tumultuous sound of kirtana, Prakasananda and his disciples rushed to the premises of the Bindumadhava temple. Prakasananda himself joined in singing kirtana and his body showed signs of ecstatic te
ars and shivering.  Lord Caitanya regained his external consciousness, stopped the singing and offered His humble obeisances to Prakasananda.  Prakasananda fell at the Lord's feet begging forgiveness for his past arrogance and expressed his desire to
 hear the Lord's interpretation of the primary tenets of Vedanta.

        Lord Caitanya replied, "Vyasadeva was the author of Vedantasutra, he also wrote Srimad Bhagavatam as a commentary to Vedanta.  Thus the primary tenets of Vedanta can be understood from the Srimad Bhagavatam.  You should therefore wholehearted
ly study the Srimad Bhagavatam."

        From that day Prakasananda and his disciples underwent a complete change; they considered themselves blessed and took shelter under the lotus feet of Lord Caitanya.  (CBh. 2.3.37-40, CC. 2.17.104-143, 2.25.5.160, Bhaktamala 22.7)

45.     PRANAGOPAL GOSVAMI:

        He was a descendant of Lord Nityananda.  An erudite interpreter of Bhaktisastra, he arranged, with the assistance of his disciples, to translate and publish Premasamputa, Sri Krsnasandarbha, Bhaktisandarbha, and Pritisandarbha.  He edited a V
aisnava periodical also.

46.     PRANAKISOR GOSVAMI:

        He belonged to the family line of Lord Nityananda.  Apart from writing excellent books in Bengali such as Bhaktacaritra, Sandhanira Sadhusanga, Jnanesvari Gita (a translation), Pranakisor was an eloquent interpreter of Bhaktisastra.

47.     PRANAKRSNA DASA BABAJI:

        He was born near Kalna in the district of Burdwan and belonged to the family line of Lord Nityananda.  He stayed for considerable time with Bhagavandasa Babaji of Kalna, and later settled at Kaliyadaha in Vrndavana where he practiced bhajan.
The care Pranakrsna took of Siddha Jagadisa Babaji and Dayaldasa Babaji in their old age was very exemplary.  Though not an erudite scholar, Pranakrsna chanted the holy name with such simple-hearted emotion and sincerity that he touched the hearts of
 all.  Pranakrsna gave care and attention to everyone irrespective of sex or position. He offered some prasada and water to drink to anyone who came to meet him.  He had a large number of Hindi-speaking followers.  He practiced bhajan in a hut next t
o that of Jagadisa Baba and lived for more than one hundred years. After his death, Pranakrsna's body was buried in front of his hut.

48.     PRANAVALLABHA (PARANA) DASA:

        He was a follower of Vyasacarya, who was a disciple of Srinivasacarya prabhu.  He composed a voluminous poetical work on Vrajlila titled Rasamadhuri in 1778 AD.

49.     PRASADA DASA:

        He was a disciple of Syamananda prabhu.  His name is found in the book Rasikamangala.

50.     PRASADA DASA (PRAKASA DASA):

        He was a disciple of Srinivasacarya and his title was `Biswas'.  His father was Kamalakar dasa and his brother was Janakiram dasa.  His family hailed from Vanavisnupura in the district of Bankura.  Formerly they held the title of `Majumdar' b
ut Srinivasa prabhu awarded them the title `Biswas'.  (Karnananda 1)

50.A    PRASADA DASA:

        See `Guruprasad Sengupta'.

51.     PRASADA DASA VAIRAGI:

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

52.     PRATAPARUDRA:

        He was the Gajapati King of Orissa belonging to the Ganga dynasty.  His parents were Purusottama deva and Rupamvika (Sri Padmavati).  Sri Purusottama deva considered himself the servant of Lord Jagannatha and arranged various kinds of perform
ances on festive occasions.  At the time of Rathayatra he swept the road in front of the Lord with a golden broom stick.  Sri Jagannatha deva was so pleased with Sri Purusottama deva that He helped him to defeat the ruler of the Kanci Kingdom.  After
 the ruler was defeated, his daughter, Padmavati, was taken by Sri Jagannatha deva and offered to Sri Purusottama deva. Sri Prataparudra was born of this Padmavati.

        As soon as Sri Prataparudra was enthroned, he, like his father, devoted himself to the service of Jagannatha deva. His capital was at Cuttack, although he sometimes lived in Puri.   Prataparudra was an ardent devotee and servant of Lord Jagan
natha.  He was Indradyumna in his past incarnation.  All this has been described in detail in the book Sarasvati vilasa.  Sri Kavi Karnapura Gosvami composed the drama Sri Caitanya Candrodaya, as per the instruction of Maharaja Sri Prataparudra.

(From BMO. PP. 88-90):

        Prataparudradeva Gajapati was the king when Lord Caitanya came to live in Orissa.  The king was well known for his military strength, though he was finally defeated by Krsnadevaraya.  He was fond of luxury, as is explained in the literary wor
ks of Narasimha Sena, a contemporary poet.  In Gopakeli the poet describes the king as a `rasika' who indulges with his queens.  In Saraswativilas, written by  King Prataparudra, references are given to four queens namely Padma, Padmalaya, Ila and Pr
atila..  Later Oriya biographers of Lord Caitanya, such as Iswara Dasa and Divakar Dasa, have mentioned in their books names of more than four queens.  In his later life, the king came in contact with Lord Caitanya, which proved to be the turning poi
nt in his life.

        Some scholars suggest that Lord Caitanya was responsible for the downfall of the Gajapati Kingdom, although this is not based on historical evidence.  The political condition during that period was highly unstable due to other causes, such as
 dissension amongst the Hindu feudal kings, the internal enemies, and the invasion of Muslims, all of which combined to hasten the downfall of the Suryavansi Kingdom.
        Prataparudra died in 1534 AD., one year after the death of Lord Caitanya.  There is no Oriyan work written by him.  He is however credited with the authorship of Saraswativilas, Prouddha Pratapamartanda, Koutakachintamani and Nirnanyasamgraph
a.  A manuscript of Parachesamgita or Padurlabhasagraha, on Oriya Kavya composed by Prataparudra is also available

        After accepting sannyasa, Lord Gaurasundara went to Puridhama.  By the grace of the Lord, Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya was converted to Vaisnavism.  After a few months, Mahaprabhu started for South India.  The king of Orissa, Gajapati Prataparudra
, heard from the people about the glories of Caitanya Mahaprabhu and thus became eager to meet Him.  One day he called Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya to  his house.  He offered him a seat and asked, I have heard that a very great saint has come to your hous
e from Gauda and that He is very merciful to you.  Please make arrangements for me to meet Him."  Sarvabhauma said that what he had heard was correct but it was not possible to arrange a meeting, as He was a sannyasi of the highest order and was with
out material attachment. However, Sarvabhauma agreed to try to help him, but at the present time Mahaprabhu was on pilgrimage.  Prataparudra deva asked why Sarvabhauma had not implored Mahaprabhu to stay in Puri and Sarvabhauma replied, "He is the in
dependent Supreme Lord, not to be guided by anyone."  The King was impressed and said, "If such a wise man as yourself has accepted Him as God, I must also accept.  When He visits Nilacala next time, please arrange for me to see Him."  Sarvabhauma ex
plained that He would be returning within a few days and a room was necessary for His residence.  The king said that the house of Kasi Misra, which was secluded and near to the temple, would be a suitable place for the Lord's residence.  Bhattacarya
then took leave of the king.  The same day, he went to see Kasi Misra and told him everything.  Kasi Misra was overjoyed to have the Lord stay in his house.

        The devotees were beside themselves with joy when the Lord returned to Nilacala.  As soon as Sarvabhauma offered his obeisances, Mahaprabhu embraced him.  Sarvabhauma introduced Him to Kasi Misra, Bhavananda and many other devotees of Puri. W
hen Kasi Misra offered his respects, the Lord immediately embraced him and Misra was filled with transcendental joy. Kasi Misra respectfully ushered the Lord to his house, where all the members of his family surrendered to Him.  Mahaprabhu mercifully
 allowed them to see His four-armed form.

        In one of the solitary rooms of Kasi Misra's garden house, Mahaprabhu stayed comfortably.  One day, Sarvabhauma told Prabhu that the king of Orissa, Gajapati Sri Prataparudra, was attracted by the glories of Prabhu and was eager to meet Him.
 Hearing this, Mahaprabhu blocked his ears saying, "Narayana, Narayana!  Bhattacarya why are you speaking like this?  I am a sannyasi and free from all attachment to the world.  I am forbidden to see a king, it is as poisonous as seeing a woman.  Bha
ttacarya, please do not talk about this again or I shall leave this place today."  Bhattacarya was frightened by these words.  He offered his obeisances, begged the Lord not to leave, and returned home.  But he began to think deeply about how a meeti
ng with the king could be arranged.

        On the other hand, under the instruction of Mahaprabhu, Sri Ramananda left his estate in South Godavari and went to Puri.  There he met King Sri Prataparudra, who was very pleased to hear that he had left his property and other worldly posses
sions.  The king engaged him in the service of Mahaprabhu, telling him that he would receive the same salary as he had drawn before.

        Sri Ramananda went to Mahaprabhu and offered obeisances. The Lord ecstatically embraced him and they spent sometime discussing topics related to Krsna.  Afterwards, Sri Ramananda explained to Mahaprabhu how nicely he had been treated by King
Prataparudra.  He also said that he did not possess even an iota of the love and devotion that King Prataparudra had. Hearing this Mahaprabhu said, "You are a great devotee of Krsna.  He who loves you, is very fortunate.  The king has shown affection
 to you, therefore Krsna will be merciful to Him."

        When Sarvabhauma Pandita told Maharaja Prataparudra what Lord Caitanya said, the king replied, "The Lord has promised that He will not see, so I also promise that without His mercy I will not maintain my life.  If I cannot have His compassion
 then there is no use to this life, kingdom and wealth." Sarvabhauma consoled him and asked him to be patient, "The Lord is very kind, certainly He will show His mercy eventually.

        Rathayatra was drawing near.  On this occasion many devotees of Mahaprabhu came from Gauda to Puri and King Prataparudra wished to meet all of them.  He went to the terrace of his palace with Sarvabhauma and watched the devotees as they arriv
ed, while Sarvabhauma introduced each devotee one by one.  Seeing the lustrous bodies of Sri Advaita Acarya, Sri Nityananda, Srivasa and other devotees, the king offered obeisances from the terrace.  As a gesture of hospitality, he made very nice arr
angements for everyone.

        Returning to Cuttack, Maharaja wrote a letter to Sarvabhauma, "If Gaurahari will not be merciful to me, I shall give up my kingdom and become a beggar living on alms."  When Sarvabhauma showed the letter to the devotees everyone became worrie
d.  The devotees then went to appeal to Lord.  When they arrived Mahaprabhu asked if they had something to say.  Sri Nityananda Prabhu replied, "You are omniscient, You know everything, but still I put this to You--Maharaja Prataparudra earnestly asp
ires after Your darsana.  If he is deprived of this, he will give up everything and become a yogi.  Without Your darsana he considers everything in this world to be useless."  Hearing this the Lord said, "It is your desire to take me to Cuttack to se
e him, but people will speak ill of Me, and Damodara will reprimand Me."  At this, Damodara said, "You know what is Your duty and what is not.  I am a small living creature, what advice can I give You.?  You are affectionate to your devotees and the
king has devotion for you, so I am sure that one day both of you will meet.  The king's devotion will draw you towards him.  Although you are the Supreme Lord, you are always subordinate to the love of your devotees."

        After consulting with the devotees, Sri Nityananda Prabhu sent a piece of Mahaprabhu's cloth to the king.  The king adored the piece of cloth and worshipped it as Mahaprabhu Himself.

        One day Sri Ramananda Roy accompanied by the prince, came to see Mahaprabhu.  The complexion of the prince was dark-blue, he was dressed in yellow cloth with and was decorated with earrings and a pearl necklace.  He looked radiant and when Ma
haprabhu saw him, He was reminded of Lord Krsna and began dancing and chanting "Krsna, Krsna."  Mahaprabhu was very merciful to the prince.  When Sri Ramananda Roy told the king what had happened the king was extremely happy.  Having touched the body
 of his son, the king felt as if he had touched the Lord Himself.

        The day before the Rathayatra festival Mahaprabhu swept the Gundica temple.  On the day of Rathayatra, Mahaprabhu and His devotees watched the celebration of Sri Jagannatha Deva's Rathayatra festival.  Leaving his royal dress, Sri Prataparudr
a, holding a gold broom stick, swept the path from the temple to the Ratha and washed it with sandal water. Seeing the king serving Sri Jagannatha deva with such humility, Mahaprabhu became compassionate.  When the Ratha started for Gundica, Mahaprab
hu and fourteen different groups danced and sang in front of it.  The king was beside himself with joy to see this.  The king, himself, along with his friends and courtiers, controlled the crowd.  While singing and dancing in ecstasy, Mahaprabhu fell
 unconscious on the ground in front of Maharaja.  Sri Prataparudra immediately caught hold of Him.  When the Lord regained consciousness and realized that the king had taken care of Him, although internally He was pleased with the service of the king
, He outwardly appeared disgusted, "Fie, fie, the king has touched Me."  Seeing the Lord's contempt towards him, the king was extremely dejected, but Sarvabhauma consoled him.

        Slowly the Rath arrived at Galagandi.  There, while dancing and singing with the devotees, Mahaprabhu fainted in ecstasy just when it was time to offer bhoga to Jagannatha. The devotees took Mahaprabhu to Jagannathavallava garden where He was
 laid on an altar under a tree.  The beauty of the garden was like that of Vrndavana.  On the advice of Sri Sarvabhauma, Maharaja Prataparudra dressed as a Vaisnava and entered the garden.  With the permission of the devotees, he began massaging the
feet of Mahaprabhu and while doing so, in a melodious voice, he read out the slokas from the fifth chapter of Bhagavata.  While listening, Prabhu was delighted beyond measure and asked him to read it again and again. When the king read the lines, "Yo
ur nectar-like words..." Mahaprabhu suddenly got up and embraced the king saying, "Splendid, splendid!  You have given me many valuable things, but I have only given you an embrace."  Thus, having noted the king's devotion and service, Mahaprabhu fin
ally became compassionate and bestowed His mercy upon the king.  The devotees' joy knew no bounds when they saw Mahaprabhu's mercy upon the king.

        Later Mahaprabhu set out for Vrndavana.  Along the way he arrived at Cuttack and had darsana of Sakshi Gopala.  There He took his mid-day meal in the house of a brahmana named Svapnesvara.  After that Mahaprabhu rested under a tree.  When the
 news reached the king, he hastened to see the Lord. Seeing Lord Caitanya from a distance, he began singing His praises.  Noting the kings devotion, Mahaprabhu embraced him affectionately.  Afterwards, Mahaprabhu instructed the king about Krsna consc
iousness.  When the devotees saw how compassionate the Lord had been to the king, they named Him `The Liberator of Prataparudra.'
        In the evening the members of the Royal family came on elephants for darsana at the bathing place where Mahaprabhu was to cross the river Mahanadi.  Accompanied by his courtiers, Maharaja waited at the bank with a new boat to ferry Mahaprabhu
 across the river.  When Mahaprabhu arrived there Maharaja tearfully fell at the Lord's feet and requested Him to embark the boat.  With His heart full of love, Mahaprabhu cast a merciful glance at the royal family and boarded the vessel.  The royal
family cried in ecstasy and the king fainted on the ground.  Sarvabhauma caught hold of the king and consoled him, while the king cried, "Krsna, Krsna." The king then instructed Ramananda Roy that pillars should be erected at the sacred places where
Mahaprabhu had boarded the ferry and where He took rest.  The king stated that he would take his bath daily at that very bank of the river and would breath his last breath at that spot.

Description of Sri Prataparudra in Caitanya Bhagavata:

        According to CBh., when Mahaprabhu first visited Nilacala, Gajapati Prataparudra was away from the capital conquering Vijaynagar.  After spending a few days at Puri, Mahaprabhu went to Gauda to see Sacimata and the Ganges river. Then, again h
e started for Nilacala via Ramakeli.  At that time Prataparudra came to Puri from his capital, Cuttack, and requested the devotes to arrange a meeting for him with Mahaprabhu.  Seeing his eagerness, the devotees advised the king to observe Mahaprabhu
's singing and dancing from a distance.  Thus while watching from a distance, Prataparudra saw Mahaprabhu faint on the ground in a transcendental state. He rolled on the earth and saliva came from His mouth.  His entire body was soaked with tears and
 saliva.  Maharaja could not understand the Lord's celestial beauty. Feeling disgusted, Maharaja returned home.

        That night he had a dream in which he saw Lord Jagannatha's body full of dust.  Tears were rolling down His cheeks.  Water was coming out from His nostrils and His body was soaked with saliva.  When the king was about to touch the feet of Jag
annatha, he heard Him say, "Your body is fully anointed with sandal paste and camphor, My body is full of dust and saliva.  Do not touch Me.  When I was dancing you despised Me, seeing dust and saliva on My body."  Immediately the king understood tha
t Caitanya Mahaprabhu was identical with Jagannatha Deva.  Maharaja then fell prostrate on the ground, begging for mercy.

The family history of Sri Prataparudra:

        The last king of the Surya dynasty was Sri Curanga deva. Seventh and ....? was Sri Ananga Bhimadeva.  He ? built the present temple of Jagannatha about 800 years ago.  His seventh descendent was Sri Kapilendra deva (1435-70 AD.).  His son was
 Sri Purusottama deva (1470-1497 AD.).  His son, Sri Prataparudra deva (1497-1541 AD.), had four queens; Padma, Padmalaya, Sri Ila and Mahila.  He had three sons; Purusottama Jana, Kaluadeva and Kakhad-adeva.  Prataparudra's daughter was Tukka.  In S
arasvativilasa a detailed description of the Utkala royal family is given.

        Being ordered by Srimati Radharani in a dream, Sri Purusottama jana came to Sri Govinda deva in Vrndavana.

        In 1497 AD. the boundary of Sri Prataparudra's kingdom extended from the district of Hooghly and Midnapura in Bengal, to Guntur in Madras, as well as a major portion of Telengana. In 1510 AD., when the powerful King Sri Krsnadevaraya, ascende
d the throne of Vijaynagar, he conquered the southern portion of Orissa.  It was at that time that Mahaprabhu arrived at Nilacala, but Sri Prataparudra had already left his capital to protect his kingdom.  It is said in CC. that the barbarians had co
me to the south up to South Godavari and to the north up to Pichalda, on the bank of the Rup-narayana river.

        No authentic information is available about the disappearance of Sri Prataparudra deva.  Baripada is the capital of Mayurbhanja state.  Eleven miles to the south of Baripada and to the east of it there is a village named Pratapapur.  It is sa
id that the tomb of Sri Prataparudra was there.  When the bank of the river crumbled, the tomb was swept away in river.  The Deities of Mahaprabhu, Jagannatha and Dadhivamana were shifted to another location.  On the appearance day of Caitanya Mahapr
abhu a great festival is performed.  (Srikshetra Gaudiya Mission).
 
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